Theoretical framework for formulating MIP scheduling models with multiple and non-uniform discrete-time grids

We present a framework for the formulation of MIP scheduling models based on multiple and nonuniform discrete time grids. In a previous work we showed that it is possible to use different (possibly non-uniform) time grids for each task, unit, and material. Here, we generalize these ideas to account for general resources, and a range of processing characteristics such as limited intermediate storage and changeovers. Each resource has its own grid based on resource consumption and availability allowing resource constraints to be modeled more accurately without increasing the number of binary variables. We develop algorithms to define the unit-, task-, material-, and resource-specific grids directly from problem data. Importantly, we prove that the multi-grid formulation is able to find a schedule with the same optimal objective as the discrete-time single-grid model with an arbitrarily fine grid. The proposed framework leads to the formulation of models with reduced number of binary variables and constraints, which are able to find good solutions faster than existing models.     

Strategic planning optimization for natural gas to liquid transportation fuel (GTL) systems

A strategic planning optimization model is proposed for a network of natural gas to liquids (GTL) systems, and it is solved using a rolling horizon strategy. The model formulation determines the strategic and tactical decisions of the GTL supply chain over a long time horizon. The decisions to build new GTL refineries may be made over the span of 30 years and their operations cover the span of 60 years. Multiple capacities of GTL refineries (i.e., 1, 5, 10, 50, and 200 thousand barrels per day) that produce gasoline, diesel, and kerosene commensurate to the United States demand ratio may exist in the network. The parameter inputs include the locations, availabilities, and prices of natural gas in the United States discretized by county, the delivery locations of fuel products, and the transportation costs of every input and output of the refinery, defined for each time period. Formulated as a large-scale mixed-integer linear optimization (MILP) model, the problem is solved using a rolling horizon strategy for tractability. Case studies on the state of Pennsylvania are presented for different planning schemes and their impact on the economic performance of the GTL network is discussed.     

Distributed ledger technology in supply chains: a transaction cost perspective

With the emergence of distributed ledger technology (DLT), numerous practitioners and researchers have proclaimed its beneficial impact on supply chain transactions in the future. However, the vast majority of DLT initiatives are discontinued after a short period. With the full potential of DLT laying far down the road, especially managers in supply chain management (SCM) seek for short-term cost-saving effects of DLT in order to achieve long-term benefits of DLT in the future. However, the extant research has bypassed grounding long-term as well as short-term effects of DLT on supply chain transaction with empirical data. We address this shortcoming, following an abductive research approach and combining empirical data from a multiple case study design with the corresponding literature. Our study reveals that the effects of DLT on supply chain transactions are two-sided. We found six effects of DLT solutions that have a cost-reducing or cost avoidance impact on supply chain transactions. In addition, we found two effects that change the power distribution between buyers and suppliers in transactions and a single effect that reduces the dependency of supply chain transactions on third parties. While cost-reducing and avoidance as well as dependency-reducing effects are positive effects, the change in power distribution might come with disadvantages. With these findings, the paper provides the first empirical evidence of the impact of DLT on supply chain transactions, which will enable managers to improve their assessment of DLT usage in supply chains.     

基于梯度提升决策树的车轮轮缘厚度磨耗预测

轮对在列车走行过程中起着导向、承受以及传递载荷的作用，其踏面及轮缘磨耗对地铁列车运行安全性和钢轨的寿命都将产生重要影响。根据地铁列车车轮磨耗机理，分析车轮尺寸数据特点，针对轮缘厚度这一型面参数，基于梯度提升决策树算法构建轮缘厚度磨耗预测模型。在该模型的基础上，任意选取某轮对数据进行验证分析，结果表明：基于梯度提升决策树的轮对磨耗预测模型具有较好的预测精度，可预测出1~6个月的轮缘厚度变化趋势范围，预测时间范围较长，可为地铁维保部门对轮对的维修方式由状态修转为预防修提供指导性建议。     

一种新型回路电阻测试仪的研究与设计

针对传统低压回路电阻测试仪只能在被测设备停电时使用的一大限制,本文提出并设计了一种新型低压回路电阻测试仪。该仪器可在低压设备运行状态下对其回路电阻进行测量,在保证测量精度的前提下减少了设备停电率,大大提高了工作效率。     

Upscaled DEM-CFD model for vibrated fluidized bed based on particle-scale similarities

Simulation based on discrete element method (DEM) coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), coupled DEM-CFD, is a powerful tool for investigating the details of dense particle–fluid interaction problems such as in fluidized beds and pneumatic conveyers. The addition of a mechanical vibration to a system can drastically alter the particle and fluid flows; however, their detailed mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, a DEM-CFD model based on a non-inertial frame of reference is developed to achieve a better understanding of the influence of vibration in a vibrated fluidized bed. Because the high computational cost of DEM-CFD calculations is still a major problem, an upscaled coarse-graining model is also employed. To realize similar behaviors with enlarged model particles, non-dimensional parameters at the particle scale were deduced from the governing equations. The suitability and limitations of the proposed model were examined for a density segregation problem of a binary system. To reduce the computational costs, we show that the ratio between the bed width and model particle size can be reduced to a minimum value of 100; to obtain similar segregation behaviors, the ratio between the bed height and model particle size is considered unchanged.     

An automated patient monitoring using discrete‐time wireless sensor networks

In recent years, Internet of Things (IoT) devices are used for remote health monitoring. For remotely monitoring a patient, only the health information at different time points are not sufficient; predicted values of biomarkers (for some future time points) are also important. In this article, we propose a powerful statistical model for an efficient dynamic patient monitoring using wireless sensor nodes through Bayesian Learning (BL). We consider the setting where a set of correlated biomarkers are measured from a patient through wireless sensors, but the sensors only report the ordinal outcomes (say, good, fair, high, or very high) to the sink based on some prefixed thresholds. The challenge is to use the ordinal outcomes for monitoring and predicting the health status of the patient under consideration. We propose a linear mixed model where interbiomarker correlations and intrabiomarker dependence are modeled simultaneously. The estimated and the predicted values of the biomarkers are transferred over the internet so that health care providers and the family members of the patient can remotely monitor the patient. Extensive simulation studies are performed to assess practical usefulness of our proposed joint model, and the performance of the proposed joint model is compared to that of some other traditional models used in the literature.     

济阳坳陷下古生界潜山油气藏特征及成藏模式

济阳坳陷下古生界潜山具有多样性、复杂性的特点，潜山差异性的形成演化、油气成藏主控因素和控藏模式不明确，严重制约了该区潜山油气勘探。在潜山分类的基础上，综合利用系统恢复、分类对比和典型解剖等方法，揭示了济阳坳陷下古生界不同类型潜山的形成演化过程和油气成藏主控因素差异性，分类建立了油气成藏模式。研究表明，济阳坳陷下古生界主要发育高位新盖侵蚀残丘潜山、中位古盖拉张断块潜山、中位新古盖拉张剪切断块潜山、中位中古盖挤压拉张断块潜山和低位古盖拉张滑脱断块潜山5种潜山类型。不同类型潜山的形成演化和油气成藏各具特色，其中，高位新盖侵蚀残丘潜山的发育受隆升、侵蚀作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于油源和盖层条件，表现为"单向供烃、砂体-不整合岩溶体联合输导、残丘控藏"的成藏模式；中位古盖拉张断块潜山的发育受掀斜、断裂作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于储集条件，表现为"单向供烃、顺向断层输导、反向断层控藏"的成藏模式；中位新古盖拉张剪切断块潜山的发育受反转、翘倾和走滑切割作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于输导条件，表现为"多源供烃、断溶体立体输导、断裂控藏"的成藏模式；中位中古盖挤压拉张断块潜山的形成受强烈挤压、拉张滑脱作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于储集条件，表现为"多源供烃、断缝体输导、断褶控藏"的成藏模式；低位古盖拉张滑脱断块潜山的形成受强烈拉张滑脱作用控制，油气成藏主要受控于输导条件，表现为"顶部供烃、断缝体输导、断裂控藏"的成藏模式。     

基于密钥共享的分层混合认证模型

随着信息时代的迅速发展,云计算数据访问安全已经成为了用户最关心的问题。身份认证技术是确保参与者在开放的网络环境中实现安全通信的一种重要手段,如何利用身份认证技术为云环境安全保驾护航,成为学者研究的热点。文中通过公钥基础设施(Public Key Infrastructure,PKI)颁发CA证书以在不同云服务间建立信任,将多个采用身份密码体制(Identity-Based Encryption,IBE)的云联合起来；采用分层身份加密体系,引入共享密钥技术,通过选取成环结构,提出一种PKI-IBE混合认证模型方案,并对方案的安全性进行分析,从理论上证明了云环境下PKI-IBE(Public Key Infrastructure-Identity-Based Encryption)同层成环模型提供服务的可行性。同时文中设计了一种基于该模型的签密技术,通过公私密钥对实现云内认证以及跨云认证。安全性理论证明与性能分析表明,该方案在计算量稍增加的前提下,保证了足够的安全性,更加满足云环境下的用户分属不同云域的认证以及用户安全访问的需求,有效解决了云环境中数据访问的安全问题。