Combining make to order and make to stock

In inventory control and production planning one is tempted to use one of two strategies: produce all demand to stock or produce all demand to order. The disadvantages are well-known. In the make everything to order case (MTO) the response times may become quite long if the load is high, in the make everything to stock case (MTS) one gets an enormous inventory if the number of different products is large.In this paper we study two simple models which combine MTO and MTS, and investigate the effect of combining MTO and MTS on the production lead times.     

Isoconversion method for kinetic analysis of solid-state reactions from dynamic thermoanalytical data

The activation energy for a heterogeneous reaction involving a solid may be obtained from a plot of ₀ ln(d/dt) d against ₀(1/T) d, where represents the fractional conversion of the solid reactant, and T(t) is the (time-dependent) reactant temperature. This new approach to the analysis of dynamic thermoanalytical kinetic data has distinct advantages over existing methods, as it needs to make no assumption about the kinetic model, involves no approximation to the temperature integral, and is easy to implement on the computer.     

Negatively isotone optimal policies for random walk type Markov decision processes

Summary This paper considers a random walk type Markov decision process in which the state spaceI is an integer subset of IR ^m , and the action spaceK is independent ofi I. The natural order, overI, and a quasi order,, overK, is assumed, together with aconditional convexity assumption on the returns {r _i ^k }, and certain other assumptions about these rewards and the transition probabilities in relationship to the orders and.A negatively isotone policy is one for whichi i(i))(i) (i.e.(i) (i) or(i) i)). It is shown that, under specified conditions, a negatively isotone optimal policy exists. Some consideration is given to computational implications in particular relationship to Howard's policy space method.

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Zusammenfassung Wir betrachten einen Markovschen Entscheidungsprozeß vom random walk Typ. Der ZustandsraumI sei eine Teilmenge des IR^m, wobeii I ganzzahlige Komponenten habe. Die MengeK der zulässigen Aktionen ini I sei unabhängig voni I. Sei die natürliche Ordnung aufI und sei eine Quasiordnung aufK. Die Erträge {r _i ^k }seienbedingt konvex, darüberhinaus seien weitere Voraussetzungen über diese Erträge und die Übergangswahrscheinlichkeiten in Bezug auf die Ordnungen und erfüllt. Eine Politik heißt negativ isoton, falls ausi i folgti(i) (d. h.(i) (i) oder(i)(i)). Wir zeigen, daß unter gewissen Voraussetzungen einenegativ isotone optimale Politik existiert: Auch diskutieren wir einige Folgerungen für die Numerik, insbesondere hinsichtlich Howards Politikiteration.

     

Chebyshev polynomial approximation of the roots of the transcendental equation Μ tan Μ=b

A polynomial approximation of the roots of the equation tan=b are tabulated, valid uniformly on the interval b [0, ].Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 347–348, February, 1971.     

The mechanism of continuous dissolution of the lamellar structure in aged Al 22 at% Zn alloy

The mechanism of continuous dissolution was studied using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and hardness measurements. The metastable phase was identified in the first stage of dissolution nucleating at the - boundaries. Interface dislocations at the - boundaries forming a perpendicular net in the 110 directions were identified as of screw character and of Burgers vector b=1/2a 110. During dissolution a change of shape of precipitates occurs leading to their fragmentation and to a change of the direction of boundaries into 110 directions.     

Effect of resonant impurity scattering on collective mode peaks in the ultrasound attenuation of heavy fermion superconductors

We have calculated the attenuation of longitudinal ultrasound due to real order parameter fluctuations in impure polar and planarp-wave superconductors. The quasiparticle self-energy and the corresponding vertex corrections have been included in thet-matrix approximation for arbitrary scattering rate =1/2_N and all scattering phase shifts _N (0 _N/2). We obtain sound attenuation peaks belowT _c whose heights, positions, and shapes depend on ₀ (sound frequency), (₀), _N, and (coupling strength due to particle-hole asymmetry). The peaks become much more distinct and sharper for _N =/2 (resonant scattering by impurities) than for _N=0 (Born approximation). By choosing , _N, and suitably, qualitative agreement between calculated and observed peaks in UBe₁₃ and UPt₃ can be achieved.     

Phase relationship between β′- and O′-sialon at 1623 K

-sialon whiskers and co-products of synthesis, such as -sialon powders and O-sialon powders, were annealed at 1623 K for 8 h in a closed graphite reaction tube under 1 atm nitrogen. Phase stabilities, Si/Al ratios, and crystallographic features were investigated. The O-sialon phase, which formed in the early stage of synthesis when oxygen partial pressure was relatively high, became less stable in the present annealing condition and decomposed. The majority of released aluminium and possibly oxygen from the decomposed O-powder was incorporated into -sialon whiskers with little change in its lattice parameters, when the -sialon whiskers were included in annealing. The aluminium contents were always lower in the -whiskers than in the powders even after increasing its aluminium content during 8 h annealing. The lattice parameters of both -whiskers and powders increased with increasing aluminium content and became closer after annealing. The lattice parameters of -whiskers remained the same before and after annealing despite the increased aluminium content, while the lattice parameters of -powders decreased despite its aluminium content remaining unchanged. The lattice parameters of O-sialon increased with increasing aluminium content, and the increase in thea direction is the largest when compared with other parameters.     

The effect of Ag additions on the microstructure of aluminium–lithium alloys

Minor quantities of Ag have been added to Al–Li–Cu–Mg–Zr alloys. Their microstructure has been studied by means of optical metallography, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. In the high Li, low Cu:Mg ratio alloys the main phases found were , , S and T1, while fewer T2 and Al7Cu2Fe precipitates were also observed. The addition of up to 0.5 wt% Ag diminishes the and T1 precipitates size. This is attributed to a small increase of Li solubility in the matrix. In the low Li, high Cu:Mg ratio alloy the addition of 0.2 wt% Ag resulted in the precipitation of phase simultaneously with , , S and T1 phases. Due to the low Li concentration an unusual growth of the / precipitates at the expense of the precipitates was also observed. © 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers     

α-β phase transformation of silicon nitride — computer simulation

The simulation model of - silicon nitride phase transformation was developed for the case when the crystallization of the phase is the rate controlling step. The results gained on the base of the present model indicate that the temperature and total free surface area of silicon nitride phase present in the firing body limit the rate of transformation and total amount of transformed silicon nitride phase. These results are acceptable from the point of view of experimental experience and support the applicability of the presented model.     

On a simple wave approximation

Summary An approximation (the linear version of Burgers' equation with appropriate initial data) to a simple wave initial value problem for a set of two linear coupled dissipative partial differential equations is discussed. It has been shown that for the class of square integrable initial functions of which the spectra (Fourier-transforms) have bounded support 2 the approximation is valid for some finite interval of time [0, T()]. For some finite timeT ₁ > T() the approximation may fail. However, fort, it is asymptotically valid again. For the class of initial conditions mentioned above expansions in series of the two solutions, which for every finite interval of time [0, ] are convergent, may be constructed.Detached by Philips Research Laboratories.     

The Possibility of Reproducing the Units of Complex Permittivity at High Frequencies

The results of theoretical investigations of the reproduction of the units of the components of complex permittivity and by a method based on the use of the wave properties of a coaxial line are presented. The errors in reproducing and are analyzed.     

The neural net of neural network research

In this paper we discuss the limits and potentials of bibliometric mapping based on a specific co-word analysis. The subject area is neural network research. Our approach is a simulation of expert assessment by offering the reader a narrative of the field which can be used as background information when reading the bibliometric maps. The central issue in the applicability of bibliometric maps is whether these maps may supply additional intelligence to users. In other words, whether such a bibliometric tool has an epistemological value, in the sense that it ecriches existing knowledge by supplying unexpected relations between specific pieces of knowledge (synthetic value) or by supplying unexpected problems (creative value). We argue that sophisticated bibliometric mapping techniques are indeed valuable for open new avenues to study science as a self-organizing system in the form of a neural network like structure of which the bibliometric map is a first-order aproximation. In that sense, this paper deals with the neural net of neural network research as our bibliometric techniques in fact mimic a connectionistic approach.     

Tilted and Crossing Vortex Chains in Layered Superconductors

No Heading In presence of the Josephson vortex lattice in layered superconductors, small c-axis magnetic field penetrates in the form of vortex chains. In general, structure of a single chain is determined by the ratio of the London [] and Josephson [_J] lengths, = /_J. The chain is composed of tilted vortices at large s (tilted chain) and at small s it consists of crossing array of Josephson vortices and pancake-vortex stacks (crossing chain). We study chain structures at the intermediate s and found two types of phase transitions. For 0.6 the ground state is given by the crossing chain in a wide range of pancake separations a [2–3]_J. However, due to attractive coupling between deformed pancake stacks, the equilibrium separation can not exceed some maximum value depending on the in-plane field and . The first phase transition takes place with decreasing pancake-stack separation a at a = [1 – 2]_J, and rather wide range of the ratio , 0.4 0.65. With decreasing a, the crossing chain goes through intermediate strongly-deformed configurations and smoothly transforms into the tilted chain via the second-order phase transition. Another phase transition occurs at very small densities of pancake vortices, a [20 – 30]_J, and only when exceeds a certain critical value 0.5. In this case small c-axis field penetrates in the form of kinks. However, at very small concentration of kinks, the kinked chains are replaced with strongly deformed crossing chains via the first-order phase transition. This transition is accompanied by a very large jump in the pancake density.PACS numbers: 74.25.Qt, 74.25.Op, 74.20.De     

Stress-induced phase transformations in a hot-deformed two-phase (α2+γ) TiAl alloy

Stress-induced 2, 2 and 9R phase transformations in a hot-deformed Ti–45 at% Al–10 at% Nb alloy have been investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The 2 phase transformation is an interface-related process. The interfacial superdislocations emitted from the misoriented semicoherent 2– interface react with each other or with the moving dislocations in the phase, resulting in the formation of the 2 phase. The nucleation of the 2 phase transformation takes place either at the 2– interfaces or at the stacking faults on the basal plane of 2 phase, and the growth of plate is accomplished by the moving of a/61 0 1 0 Shockley partials on alternate basal plane (0 0 0 1)2. The 9R structure was usually found to form at incoherent twin or pseudotwin boundaries. During deformation the interfacial Shockley partial dislocations of these incoherent twin and pseudotwin boundaries may glide on (1 1 1) planes into the matrix, resulting in the formation of 9R structure. The interfaces (including 2– and – interfaces) as well as the crystallographic orientation relationship between the as-received or stress-induced 2, and 9R phase have been analysed. The mechanisms for the stress-induced 2, 2 and 9R phase transformations were also discussed. © 1998 Chapman & Hall     

Coarsening of δ′ (Al3Li) and composite precipitates in an Al-2.5% Li-0.15% Zr alloy

The early stage coarsening behaviour of (Al₃Li) precipitates and composite precipitates, consisting of (Al₃Zr) core enveloped by a shell, in an Al-2.5% Li-0.15% Zr alloy has been studied at 443, 473 and 503 K by conventional transmission electron microscopy using superlattice dark-field images. Coarsening kinetics of precipitates was found to exhibit considerable deviation from the t ^1/3 law corresponding to diffusion control at 473 and 503 K. This deviation may be explained either by the operation of a surface-reaction controlled coarsening mechanism represented by t ^1/2 law, or by the presence of a slower precoarsening stage preceding diffusion-controlled coarsening. The particle-size distributions of precipitates were not in accordance with either the earlier theoretical predictions or the normal distribution. They were symmetrical or slightly skewed to the left, and particle sizes twice the average were observed. The coarsening kinetics of composite precipitates, was found to be rather different from that of ; a diffusion model which yields t ^1/n law with n changing from 1/4 to 1/6 as the coarsening progresses, was predicted. The composite precipitates have exhibited quite a narrow and rather symmetrical size distribution.     

The morphology of α′ martensite in a two-phase (α+γ) Fe-Cr-Ni stainless steel

Both lath-shaped and martensites are induced by tensile deformation within of a two-phase ( + ) Fe-Cr-Ni stainless steel, forms from the through the at an intersection of two crystals. These are observed both when is surrounded by and when borders . The amount of strain at which both and nucleate, increases with test temperatures in the range –196 to 50° C. Adjacent laths are either twin-related, or 5, 9, 15 or 19° off the twin relationship, as found by analysing electron diffraction patterns.     

Elevated temperature deformation behaviour of multi-phase Ni-20 at % Al-30 at % Fe and its constituent phases

The mechanical behaviour of the multi-phase ( + /) alloy Ni-20 at % Al-30 at % Fe and alloys similar to its constituent and / phases, Ni-30 at % Al-20 at % Fe and Ni-12 at % Al-40 at % Fe, respectively, were investigated. When tested in tension at 300 K, the alloys exhibited 20%, 2% and 28% elongation, respectively. At elevated test temperatures (700, 900 and 1100 K), the multi-phase alloy exhibited increased ductility, reaching an elongation in excess of 70% at 1100 K without necking or fracture. Similarly, the alloy demonstrated increased ductility with increasing test temperatures. In contrast, the / alloy showed greatly reduced ductility with increasing temperature and was quite brittle both at 900 and 1100 K. Thus, whilst at room temperature the / phase improved the ductility of the + / aggregate, at elevated temperatures the phase alleviated the brittleness of the / phase, thereby preventing any embrittlement of the multi-phase alloy over the temperature range 300–1100 K. Also, whilst the phase improved the room-temperature strength of the multi-phase alloy, at elevated temperatures where the phase is known to be weak, the / phase improved the strength of the multi-phase alloy up to 900 K, beyond which the strength deteriorated due to disordering and lack of anomalous strengthening in the / component.     

Use of adjoint functions in investigations of heat conduction and transfer processes

An examination is made of the use of adjoint functions in heat conduction and convection theory. Formulas of perturbation theory are obtained for steady and unsteady cases, an interpretation of the physical meaning of adjoint temperature is given, and some applications of the theory are discussed.Notation (r,) thermal conductivity - t(r,) temperature - t *(r,) adjoint temperature - q_V(r,) density of heat release sources - p(r,) a parameter of adjoint equation - r generalized coordinate - time - (r_s, ) heat transfer coefficient - I linear functional of temperature - (r,;r₀,₀) and *(r,; r₀,₀) Green's function for t(r, ) and t *(r, ) - C(r,) volume specific heat - W(r, ) vector distribution of flow velocities - V, S volume and surface areas of body - R radius of HRE - r, radial and angular coordinates - F_in, F_out inlet and outlet flow areas of channel     

Singularities of Ionization-Field Instability and Structurization of Plasma of High-Pressure Non-Self-Maintained Free-Localized Discharge in the Field of a Quasi-Monochromatic Microwave

A self-consistent set of the equations for the electromagnetic field and balance of plasma concentration in view of ambipolar diffusion and the equation for the fast oscillating component of electron motion in a variable field are used to investigate the linear stage of ionization-field instability of the plasma of high-pressure non-self-maintained discharge in the approximation of unbounded plasma in a plane quasi-monochromatic microwave packet. Greens function is constructed. In the simplest one-dimensional formulation of the problem, assuming that all parameters of the plasma and field vary only in the direction of propagation of the wave packet, the saddle point approximation is used to derive the dominant terms of asymptotic expansion of Greens function in two limiting cases; namely, for t , |z– z ₀| 0, and for t 0, |z– z ₀| . It is demonstrated that, contrary to the existing notion of insignificant importance of ionization-field instability in a high-pressure plasma, this instability may produce a high rate of development of perturbations in such a plasma and have a decisive effect on the structure of plasma inhomogeneity being formed. A method is suggested of stabilizing ionization-field instability of a microwave plasma by selecting a proper shape of the wave packet, including an increase in the effective width of the frequency band emitted by the source.     

Structure and Magnetism of the Composite Crystal Ca0.824CuO2

We have studied the magnetic state from a viewpoint of crystallographic features of the 1-D chain compound Ca_0.824CuO₂. A possible spin-hole arrangement in the magnetically coexisting state was determined by analyzing the local structural distortion in the CuO₂ chain by means of a modulated-crystal-structure analysis. The essential periodic sequence expected is (: up- and down-spin, : hole), which can be regarded as a kind of spin-1/2 ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic alternating Heisenberg chain.