A knowledge-based archive multi-objective simulated annealing algorithm to optimize series–parallel system with choice of redundancy strategies

Redundancy allocation problem (RAP) is one of the best-developed problems in reliability engineering studies. This problem follows to optimize the reliability of a system containing s sub-systems under different constraints, including cost, weight, and volume restrictions using redundant components for each sub-system. Various solving methodologies have been used to optimize this problem, including exact, heuristic, and meta-heuristic algorithms. In this paper, an efficient multi-objective meta-heuristic algorithm based on simulated annealing (SA) is developed to solve multi-objective RAP (MORAP). This algorithm is knowledge-based archive multi-objective simulated annealing (KBAMOSA). KBAMOSA applies a memory matrix to reinforce the neighborhood structure to achieve better quality solutions. The results analysis and comparisons demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm for solving MORAP.     

Seawater-softening process through formation of calcite ooids

Conventional water-softening processes usually involve the exchange of Na⁺ ions for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ using commercial or synthesized ion exchangers. The differences in chemical compositions of the ooids can be attributed to the formation in different environments. In this paper, ooid grains form inside assembled semi-pilot softening unit through a continuous chemical process involving reaction between bicarbonate ions and added lime using natural seawater. Our sample of Mediterranean seawater has low Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio (1.98%) within the range chemically favorable for precipitation of low-Mg calcite ooids. Precipitation of calcite occurs around pure quartz sand grains which act as nucleation points (the bed required for sand vessel is 1.65 l). The shape of the sand grains controls the overall external morphology of the resulting ooids; they vary in size from 0.5 to 3.0 mm and have a high degree of polish due to surface abrasion caused by continuous agitation inside the softening system. Calcite ooid grains (1.53 kg) formed within the seawater-softening unit every 18 days have many of the ooid features formed in marine environments. Ooids grow to a significant size, at a rate of about 0.17 mm of one layer thickness per day inside the softening unit. The average weight percent of calcite precipitate is 35.48% after 18 days, at 10 °C, 60 l/min and pH 9.0. The pellets comprise mainly CaCO₃ and SiO₂ and some metal ions which may substitute for calcium ions in calcite are present only in trace amounts of the total composition.     

A self‐scalable load injection service

Load testing of applications is an important and costly activity for software provider companies. Classical solutions are very difficult to set up statically, and their cost is prohibitive in terms of both human and hardware resources. Virtualized cloud computing platforms provide new opportunities for stressing an application's scalability, by providing a large range of flexible and less expensive (pay‐per‐use model) computation units. On the basis of these advantages, load testing solutions could be provided on demand in the cloud. This paper describes a Benchmark‐as‐a‐Service solution that automatically scales the load injection platform and facilitates its setup according to load profiles. Our approach is based on: (i) virtualization of the benchmarking platform to create self‐scaling injectors; (ii) online calibration to characterize the injector's capacity and impact on the benched application; and (iii) a provisioning solution to appropriately scale the load injection platform ahead of time. We also report experiments on a benchmark illustrating the benefits of this system in terms of cost and resource reductions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Learning keyword phrases from query logs of USPTO patent examiners for automatic query scope limitation in patent searching

Professional search in patent repositories poses several unique challenges. One key requirement is to search the entire affected space of concepts, following well-defined procedures to ensure traceability of results obtained. Several techniques have been introduced to enhance query generation, preferably via automated query term expansion, to improve retrieval effectiveness. Currently, these approaches are mostly limited to computing additional query terms from patent documents based on statistical measures. For conceptual search to solve the limitation of traditional keyword search standard dictionaries are used to provide synonyms and keyword phrases for query refinement. Studies show that these are insufficient in such highly specialized domains. In this paper, we present an approach to extract keyword phrases from query logs created during the validation procedure of the patent applications. This creates valuable domain-specific lexical databases for several specific patent classes that can be used to both expand as well as limit the scope of a patent search. This provides a more powerful means to guide a professional searcher through the search process. We evaluate the lexical databases based on real query sessions of patent examiners.     

水资源承载力分析研究

水是人们生存必不可少的资源,是生产与生活的基础,但水资源短缺,时间、空间分布不均,利用率低,已成为制约各地经济可持续发展的重要因素之一。本文所选研究区域——昌宁县正处于经济快速发展时期,水资源承载力将会影响其发展,文章综合文献分析和实际调研数据,运用科学的方法进行水资源的承载力分析,结果表明:昌宁县水资源承载力目前与社会经济的发展相适应,但远期将会有所不足,因而要求协调人与自然的矛盾,促进昌宁县的可持续发展。     

流域泥沙灾害与泥沙资源性的研究

泥沙灾害与泥沙资源性是流域泥沙的重要属性,二者在一定条件下可以相互转化。本文论述了泥沙淤积、泥沙冲刷、岸滩崩塌、山地崩塌与泥石流、粗沙淤积的土地沙化等泥沙灾害,指出泥沙灾害具有时空分布的不均匀性、渐变性或突发性、群发性、转化性及危害严重性等;流域泥沙资源化的主要途径包括填海造陆及造地、引洪淤灌、堤防淤临淤背、建筑材料、湿地形成(河流、湖泊与河口海岸)等,指出流域泥沙资源化及其优化配置既要解决思想观念、基本理论、目标效益等方面的问题,还要考虑与水资源联合配置问题。     

大同市水资源开发利用状况与承载能力的思考

文中分析了大同市水资源开发利用的状况，并对水资源承载能力的有关问题进行了讨论。     

太原精神病院污水处理系统改建为中水处理系统的工程设计

太原精神病医院将现有生活污水处理系统改建为中水回用系统,平均日处理水量100 m3.工程设计充分考虑了对原有设施的利用,生物处理单元采用生物接触氧化法.为减少污水提升次数,调节池设在生物处理单元之后.通过延长水力停留时间缓解水量、水质波动对沉淀、生物处理单元的不利影响,投入运行后效果良好.     

大同市节水型社会建设的探讨

大同市是全国108个比较严重缺水城市之一，人均水资源量不足全国的1/10（全国人均水资源量2231m^3），稍超过全省的1／2（全省人均水资源量388m^3），市中心城区工农业及城市生活用水近20年来靠超采地下水来支撑。文中就大同市水资源供需不平衡的现状，提出大同市节水型社会建设的必要性，及今后水资源开源和节流的措施。     

随机库存分配问题的一种求解方法

讨论了在VMI管理思想下对具有随机需求特性的多客户库存分配问题 ,重点论述了有效近似算法的设计过程 ,最后基于一组模拟数据给出了一个算例。