Real world applications of a fuzzy decision model based on relationships between goals for finance services and sequencing for the assembly of cars

Real world applications of a decision model of relationships between goals based on fuzzy relations are presented. In contrast to other approaches the relationships between decision goals or criteria for each decision situation are represented and calculated explicitly. The application fields are decision making for financial services and optimization of production sequences in car manufacturing.     

Composite group vector space method for estimating melting and boiling point of pure organic compound

Composition Group Vector Space (CGVS) method for estimating melting and boiling point T _m , T _b of organic compound has been proposed, and the principle of this method has been elucidated. The models for estimating T _m , T _b have been established and the numerical values of relative parameters have been presented. The average percentage deviations of T _m , T _b estimation are 7.53 and 1.58, respectively, which show that the present method demonstrates significant improvement in applicability to predict the above properties, compared to conventional group methods.     

Exponential Stability of Interval Dynamical Systems with Quadratic Nonlinearity

This article proposes an approach for investigating the exponential stability of a nonlinear interval dynamical system with the nonlinearity of a quadratic type on the basis of the Lyapunov’s direct method. It also constructs an inner estimate of the attraction domain to the origin for the system under consideration.     

Synthesis and aggregate formation of poly(styrenesulfonate)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(styrenesulfonate) triblock copolymers in aqueous solution induced by binding with aluminum ions

Summary  Well-defined water-soluble poly(styrenesulfonate)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b- poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS-b-PEG-b-PSS) triblock copolymers with narrow molecular weight distribution (1.29 < M_w/M_n < 1.36) were synthesized in aqueous solution at 70 ^oC via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The complex formed by the PSS-b-PEG-b-PSS triblock copolymer coordinated with aluminum ion was investigated with turbidimetry, dynamic light scattering (DSL), zeta-potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The aggregation formation was based on the neutralization of the SO₃^- groups in the PSS blocks with Al³⁺ ions. The appearance, size and stability of the PSS-b-PEG-b-PSS/Al³⁺ aggregates were controlled by varying the PSS block length and degree of neutralization (DN). At DN = 0.33, where the PSS-b-PEG-b-PSS copolymer was completely neutralized with Al³⁺, the aggregate size increased with increasing PSS block length. The transition from the shrinking coil of small size to the interchain aggregates of large size was found at DN of about 0.33.     

Facile synthesis of ordered nanocrystalline alumina thin films with tunable mesopore structures

Mesoporous alumina layers have attracted attention for their potential use in ultrafiltration of salts, as a heterogeneous catalyst support, an adsorbent in environmental cleanup, and in petroleum refinement. The ability to control the fast hydrolysis rate of the inorganic precursors using simple and inexpensive routes is important for that potential to be realized. Herein, we introduce a novel and facile route to synthesize mesoporous alumina thin films from the combination of inexpensive and commercially available copolymer with aluminum chloride or nitrate (salts) in an EtOH–surfactant–NH₃ · H₂O–salts (EsNs) system through the evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method. Mesoporous alumina layers obtained utilizing the EsNs system have ordered and tunable pore structures. The ability to easily control the mesophases of the alumina layers within a short time provides distinct advantages over previously reported synthesis procedures. Most importantly, we demonstrate that the binding of surfactant and NH₃ · H₂O for the formation of hydrogen bond between them in the EsNs system controls the fast hydrolysis rate of the inorganic species. This allows for the synthesis of nanocrystalline alumina layers via the aluminum oxo-clusters’ assembly with the surfactant. Such simple route may be applied in the synthesis of other non-silica mesostructured oxides.     

Modellierung in der Lehre an Hochschulen: Thesen und Erfahrungen

Zusammenfassung  Nicht erst seit Modellierung zum Modewort geworden ist, ist Modellierung ein wichtiges Thema in der Informatikausbildung. Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet in zw?lf Thesen das Warum, Was, Wie viel, Wo, Wann und Wie von Modellierung in der Lehre im Rahmen informatikbezogener Studieng?nge. Die Thesen basieren auf der Erfahrung des Verfassers mit einer seit über zehn Jahren gehaltenen Modellierungsvorlesung an der Universit?t Zürich sowie dem Gedankenaustausch mit anderen Hochschullehrerinnen und -lehrern im Rahmen der GI-Workshopreihe ,,Modellierung“. Zus?tzlich liefert eine Befragung von Absolventinnen und Absolventen an der Universit?t Zürich empirische Evidenz für eine Reihe der Thesen.     

A lower carbon footprint process for production of metals from their oxide sources

This paper will describe the solid oxide membrane (SOM) process as it applies to the energy-efficient and environmentally sound production of magnesium from magnesium oxide. Also, it will describe the challenges encountered while using this process for the production of transition metals like titanium from its higher oxides. Finally, a novel magnesiothermic SOM process will be proposed that can enable production of transition metals from its higher oxides.