Shaking a forced string to rest

In [1] Parks showed that there exists a minimum time T within which a free, taut, vibrating string of finite length can be brought to rest. The string is fastened at the end χ = 0, and the position of the string at the end χ = 1 is assumed to be controlled as a given continuously differentiable function of time.

In this paper we show that if, in addition, the string is under an external force F(χ, t), a similar result can be obtained provided that F satisfies a certain condition.     

A genetic algorithm for a creativity matrix cubic space clustering: A case study in Mazandaran Gas Company

Creativity is a promoting factor in organizations. Having employees in structured and organized configurations in a creative manner, helps in improving the productivity. We investigate different structural aspects of teams’ network organization and the creativity within a knowledge development program (KDP). The proposed methodology being equipped with a heuristic clustering technique, classifies the employees with respect to creativity parameters and configures a creativity matrix. Applying the creativity matrix, clustering is performed via mathematical programming. For large problems, a genetic algorithm (GA) is developed to solve the mathematical model. We also employ the Taguchi method to evaluate the effects of different operators and parameters on the performance of GA. A case study conducted in Mazandaran Gas Company in Iran illustrates the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed methodology.     

A multi-objective decision-making process of supplier selection and order allocation for multi-period scheduling in an electronic market

Supplier selection is a multi-criteria problem which includes both tangible and intangible factors. In these problems when suppliers have capacity or other different constraints, two questions persist: which suppliers are the best and how much should be purchased from a selected supplier? Here, we propose an integrated approach of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and multi-objective nonlinear programming to consider both tangible and intangible factors in choosing the best suppliers and define the optimum quantities among selected suppliers to maximize the total value of purchasing and minimize the budget, total penalized earliness and tardiness, and defect rate. The priorities are calculated for each supplier by use of AHP. TOPSIS is applied to rank the suppliers. Finally, using the obtained weights, the optimal quantities of order to the suppliers are clarified in multi-period horizon. An application study presents the validity and efficiency of the proposed model. Moreover, a performance analysis has been worked out on the numerical example to investigate the capability and effectiveness of the results.     

Multiresolution Surfaces having Arbitrary Topologies by a Reverse Doo Subdivision Method

We have shown how to construct multiresolution structures for reversing subdivision rules using global least squares models (Samavati and Bartels, Computer Graphics Forum, 18(2):97–119, June 1999). As a result, semiorthogonal wavelet systems have also been generated. To construct a multiresolution surface of an arbitrary topology, however, biorthogonal wavelets are needed. In Bartels and Samavati (Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 119:29–67, 2000) we introduced local least squares models for reversing subdivision rules to construct multiresolution curves and tensor product surfaces, noticing that the resulting wavelets were biorthogonal (under an induced inner product). Here, we construct multiresolution surfaces of arbitrary topologies by locally reversing the Doo subdivision scheme. In a Doo subdivision, a coarse surface is converted into a fine one by the contraction of coarse faces and the addition of new adjoining faces. We propose a novel reversing process to convert a fine surface into a coarse one plus an error. The conversion has the property that the subdivision of the resulting coarse surface is locally closest to the original fine surface, in the least squares sense, for two important face geometries. In this process, we first find those faces of the fine surface which might have been produced by the contraction of a coarse face in a Doo subdivision scheme. Then, we expand these faces. Since the expanded faces are not necessarily joined properly, several candidates are usually at hand for a single vertex of the coarse surface. To identify the set of candidates corresponding to a vertex, we construct a graph in such a way that any set of candidates corresponds to a connected component. The connected components can easily be identified by a depth first search traversal of the graph. Finally, vertices of the coarse surface are set to be the average of their corresponding candidates, and this is shown to be equivalent to local least squares approximation for regular arrangements of triangular and quadrilateral faces.     

Agent-based web service for the design of a dynamic coordination mechanism in supply networks

The theory of network coordination presents an effective approach to improve the business processes within supply networks. The automation of the negotiation process among buyers and suppliers has become an important policy in the transactional networks. This leads to assessing the roles of both quantifiable and non-quantifiable parameters in coordination mechanisms with the aim of achieving higher performance. Here, we develop an e-based supply chain multi-agent model for the design of mass-customized on-line services. The model addresses the bullwhip effect in multi-stage supply chain and also clarifies the evaluation of inventory policies in various supply and demand uncertainties. To illustrate the feasibility of the approach, we implement a prototype system and evaluate its performance by simulation using Colored Petri Nets (CPNs). The validation results reveal the model efficiency in providing a more realistic optimization process that takes the dynamic information flow in uncertainty environments into consideration.     

iCoSim-FMS: An intelligent co-simulator for the adaptive control of complex flexible manufacturing systems

We describe an intelligent co-simulator for real time production control of a complex flexible manufacturing system (CFMS) having machine and tool flexibility. The manufacturing processes associated with the CFMS are complicated with each operation being possibly done by several machining centers. The co-simulator design approach is built upon the theory of dynamic meta-model based supervisory control with the cooperation of its own embedded intelligent blocks. The system is implemented by coupling of the centralized simulation controller (CSC) and real-time simulator for enforcing dynamic strategies of shop floor control. The posteriori adaptive co-simulator is equipped with a concurrent bilateral mechanism for simulation optimization based on appropriate control rules enhancing performance criteria simulation efficiency. A working intelligent adaptive controller prototype (iCoSim-FMS) has been developed to validate the proposed approach and compare its performance with well known FMS heuristic methods.     

Influence of Linker Length on Ligase-Catalyzed Oligonucleotide Polymerization

Ligase-catalyzed oligonucleotide polymerization (LOOPER) that enables the sequence-defined generation of DNA with up to 16 different modifications has recently been developed. This approach was used to develop new classes of diversely modified DNA aptamers for molecular recognition through in vitro evolution. The modifications in LOOPER are appended by use of a long hexane-1,6-diamine linker, which could negatively impact binding thermodynamics. Here we explore the incorporation of modifications with the aid of shorter linkers and the use of commercially available phosphoramidites and assess their efficiency and fidelity of incorporation. We observed that shorter linkers are less tolerated during LOOPER, with very short linkers providing high levels of error and sequence bias. An ethane-1,2-diamine linker was found to be optimal in terms of yield, efficiency, and bias; however, codon adjustment was necessary. This shorter-linker anticodon set for LOOPER should prove valuable in exploring the impact of diverse chemical modifications on the molecular function of DNA.     

A general fuzzy TOPSIS model in multiple criteria decision making

Decision making is the process of finding the best option among the feasible alternatives. In classical multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, the ratings and the weights of the criteria are known precisely. Owning to vagueness of the decision data, the crisp data are inadequate for real-life situations. Since human judgments including preferences are often vague and cannot be expressed by exact numerical values, the application of fuzzy concepts in decision making is deemed to be relevant. In this paper, we proposed the application of a fuzzy distance formula in order to compute a crisp value for the standard deviation of fuzzy data. Then, we use this crisp value of the standard deviation to normalize the fuzzy data using the distance formula again. In our normalization approach, we have enough flexibility to consider various types of fuzzy numbers (such as triangular, trapezoidal, and interval). Finally, we use the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution to determine the ranking order of the alternatives. A numerical example from the literature is solved to demonstrate this applicability of the proposed model. We also compare our proposed approach with similar methods in the literature using some examples with known results and a number of randomly generated test problems. The results point to the applicability of our method and signify its effectiveness in identifying solutions.     

Reliability-based design in rock engineering: Application of Bayesian regression methods to rock strength data

Reliability-based design(RBD) is being adopted by geotechnical design codes worldwide, and it is therefore necessary that rock engineering practice evolves to embrace RBD. This paper examines the Hoek-Brown(He B) strength criterion within the RBD framework, and presents three distinct analyses using a Bayesian approach. Firstly, a compilation of intact compressive strength test data for six rock types is used to examine uncertainty and variability in the estimated He B parameters m and sc, and corresponding predicted axial strength. The results suggest that within-and between-rock type variabilities are so large that these parameters need to be determined from rock testing campaigns, rather than reference values being used. The second analysis uses an extensive set of compressive and tensile(both direct and indirect) strength data for a granodiorite, together with a new Bayesian regression model, to develop joint probability distributions of m and scsuitable for use in RBD. This analysis also shows how compressive and indirect tensile strength data may be robustly used to fit an He B criterion.The third analysis uses the granodiorite data to investigate the important matter of developing characteristic strength criteria. Using definitions from Eurocode 7, a formal Bayesian interpretation of characteristic strength is proposed and used to analyse strength data to generate a characteristic criterion.These criteria are presented in terms of characteristic parameters mkand s ck, the values of which are shown to depend on the testing regime used to obtain the strength data. The paper confirms that careful use of appropriate Bayesian statistical analysis allows the He B criterion to be brought within the framework of RBD. It also reveals that testing guidelines such as the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering(ISRM) suggested methods will require modification in order to support RBD. Importantly, the need to fully understand the implications of uncertainty in nonlinear strength criteria is identified.     

Theoretical and experimental analysis of the dependence of a signal's degree of polarization on the optical data spectrum

We show theoretically and experimentally the relationship between a signal's degree of polarization (DOP), all-order polarization mode dispersion (PMD), and the optical spectrum (and hence the data modulation format and pulse width), and that these effects must be taken into account when using the DOP for differential group delay (DGD) monitoring. We explain the theory behind how all-order PMD affects a signal's DOP, and observe the pulse-width dependence for 10-, 20-, and 40-Gb/s return-to-zero (RZ) systems as the duty cycle changes. We then analyze and show (via simulation and experimentation) the effects of different data modulation formats (RZ, carrier-suppressed RZ, alternate-chirped RZ, and differential phase-shift keying) on the DOP in a DGD monitor. We conclude that the measurable DGD range and DOP sensitivity in DOP-based DGD monitors are dependent on a signal's pulse width and the data modulation format. We also show the theory behind the effects of first- and second-order PMD on the maximum and minimum DOP.