Supply chain trust diagnosis (SCTD) using inductive case-based reasoning ensemble (ICBRE): The case of general competence trust diagnosis

General competence trust among supply chain partners, referring to the trust that a partner holds the general ability of fulfilling contracts, is a critical factor to ensure effective cooperation in a supply chain, especially in the current financial crisis. The method of supply chain trust diagnosis (SCTD) is to evaluate whether or not a partner holds such competence. This research devotes to an early investigation on diagnosing competence trust of supply chain with the method of inductive case-based reasoning ensemble (ICBRE). The so-called supply chain trust diagnosis with inductive case-based reasoning ensemble consists of five levels, that is, information level, the level of ratios of general competence states, the level of inductive case-based reasoning, ensemble level, and diagnosis result level. Knowledge for diagnosing competence trust, which composes of a case base, is hidden in data represented by ratios of general competence states. Inductive approach is combined with randomness to construct diverse and good member methods of inductive case-based reasoning. Finally, simple voting is used to integrate outputs of member inductive case-based reasoning methods in order to produce the final diagnosis on whether or not a partner holds the general ability of fulfilling contracts. We statistically validated results of the method of supply chain trust diagnosis with inductive case-based reasoning ensemble by comparing them with those of multivariate discriminant analysis, logistic regression, single Euclidean case-based reasoning, and single inductive case-based reasoning. The results indicate that the method of supply chain trust diagnosis with inductive case-based reasoning ensemble significantly improves predictive capability of case-based reasoning in this problem and outperforms all the comparative models by group decision of several decision-making agents and non-strict assumptions like statistical methods.     

Molecular dynamics-based prediction of boundary slip of fluids in nanochannels

Computational modeling and simulation can provide an effective predictive capability for flow properties of the confined fluids in micro/nanoscales. In this paper, considering the boundary slip at the fluid–solid interface, the motion property of fluids confined in parallel-plate nanochannels are investigated to couple the atomistic regime to continuum. The corrected second-order slip boundary condition is used to solve the Navier–Stokes equations for confined fluids. Molecular dynamics simulations for Poiseuille flows are performed to study the influences of the strength of the solid–fluid coupling, the fluid temperature, and the density of the solid wall on the velocity slip at the fluid boundary. For weak solid–fluid coupling strength, high temperature of the confined fluid and high density of the solid wall, the large velocity slip at the fluid boundary can be obviously observed. The effectiveness of the corrected second-order slip boundary condition is demonstrated by comparing the velocity profiles of Poiseuille flows from MD simulations with that from continuum.     

Effect of the Te/Si ratio on the electrical characteristics of the amorphous chalcogenide switches

The effect of composition on amorphous chalcogenide threshold switches of the system Si _x Te_60-x As₃₀Ge₁₀, wherex = 5, 10, 12 and 20, has been studied. The compositionx = 5 shows the best switching characteristics, e.g. the smallest holding voltage (V _h = 0.4V), the highest ON state current (I _h = 45A) and smallest threshold voltage (V _s = 1.5V). Applying the three mechanisms of conductance of Mottet al. (Phil. Mag. 37 (1975) 961), it is found that for a particular composition ₂ < ₁ < ₀ (the pre-exponential factors) andW ₂ < (E _a –E ₁ +W ₁) < (E _c –E _f) (whereE _a,E _c andE _e = activation energies at band edge, fermi level and conduction band;W ₁ andW ₂ = activation energy for hopping). It was found that the density of states at the fermi levelN(E _f) increases with the decrease of silicon content. The results provided further evidence against thermal interpretations and thereby support electronic models of threshold switching for these glass systems.     

Polynomial approximation of functions of matrices and applications

In solving a mathematical problem numerically, we frequently need to operate on a vector by an operator that can be expressed asf(A), whereA is anN ×N matrix [e.g., exp(A), sin(A), A^–-]. Except for very simple matrices, it is impractical to construct the matrixf (A) explicitly. Usually an approximation to it is used. This paper develops an algorithm based upon a polynomial approximation tof (A). First the problem is reduced to a problem of approximatingf (z) by a polynomial in z, where z belongs to a domainD in the complex plane that includes all the eigenvalues ofA. This approximation problem is treated by interpolatingf (z) in a certain set of points that is known to have some maximal properties. The approximation thus achieved is almost best. Implementing the algorithm to some practical problems is described. Since a solution to a linear systemAx=b isx=A ^–1 b, an iterative solution algorithm can be based upon a polynomial approximation tof (A)=A ^–1. We give special attention to this important problem.     

Optical properties of O2 − centres in KCl∶NaCl mixed crystals

The optical properties of O₂ ^– centres in KClNaCl mixed crystals were investigated. The timeresolved spectra and the fluorescence decay time are shown. From the measurements of the radiative decay time, the oscillator strength of the absorption,f _ab=0.045, the oscillator strength of the fluorescence,f _fluo=0.019, and the activation energy E=0.22 eV for the O₂ ^– centre in KClNaCl were determined.     

Synthesis of ceramic membranes

Non-supported -alumina films are prepared from a boehmite colloidal suspension. After calcination at 600°C, the microstructure is characterized by a mean pore diameter of 3 nm, a porosity of 50% and a tortuosity of 5.5. The structure is formed by card packed, plate-shaped particles, giving rise to slit-shaped pores. Supported -alumina films, made by a slipcasting process using the same boehmite precursor, have a similar structure as the non-supported films. The slipcasting process is very sensitive to support characteristics and frequently yields defect films. Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) (molecular weight 72000 g mol^–1) is added to the boehmite precursor (0.25 gg^–1 film) to improve this process. This addition results in a less critical and better controllable drying and calcining procedure. The addition of PVA is necessary to slipcast defect free -alumina films on supports with pore diameters of 0.4 m or smaller and on multi-layer supports. It has no significant effect on the resultant microstructure of the -alumina film, provided all PVA is removed by appropriate thermal treatment. The slipcasting rate is slower, resulting in thinner films of 3–5 m at identical slipcasting times.     

Destruction of Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O superconductors by water

Mixtures of Tl₂CaBa₂Cu₂O_9±x and Tl₂Ca₂Ba₂Cu₃O_10±x superconductors were treated with water at 25, 70 and 100 °C for different lengths of time from 1 min to 10 h. X-ray powder diffraction patterns and magnetic susceptibilities of the fresh and the water treated samples are compared. In contrast to most Y- and Bi-based superconductors, the Tl-based samples are stable in the presence of water at low temperatures (70 °C), but decompose rapidly at 100 °C.     

Interdiffusion inα solid solutions of the Cu-Zn-Sn system

The interdiffusion coefficients in the f c c phase of Cu-Zn-Sn alloys, , have been determined at 1073 K. The concentration profiles indicate that the diffusion rate of tin is greater than that of zinc in the Cu-Zn-Sn alloy. The diffusion paths show the typical S-shaped curves. All of the four interdiffusion coefficients are positive and they are very sensitive to the solute concentration. The atomic mobilities of the three diffusing elements in Kirkendall planes increase in the order of Cu, Zn, Sn. The interaction energy of the Cu-Sn bond is much larger than that of the Zn-Sn bond. From the results of the present work it seems that the Onsager reciprocal relation holds in the a phase of the Cu-Zn-Sn system.     

Characterization of blasted austenitic stainless steel and its corrosion resistance

It is known that the corrosion resistance of stainless steel is deteriorated by blasting, but the reason for this deterioration is not clear. A blasted austenitic stainless steel plate (JIS-SUS304) has been characterized with comparison to the scraped and non-blasted specimens. The surface roughness of the blasted specimen is larger than that of materials finished with #180 paper. A martensite phase is formed in the surface layer of both blasted and scraped specimens. Compressive residual stress is generated in the blasted specimen and the maximum residual stress is formed at 50–100 μm from the surface. The corrosion potentials of the blasted specimen and subsequently solution treated specimen are lower than that of the non-blasted specimen. The passivation current densities of the blasted specimens are higher those of the non-blasted specimen. The blasted specimen and the subsequently solution treated specimen exhibit rust in 5% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution, while the non-blasted specimen and ground specimen do not rust in the solution. It is concluded that the deterioration of corrosion resistance of austenitic stainless steel through blasting is caused by the roughed morphology of the surface.     

Asynchronous decentralized event-triggered control

In this paper we propose an approach to the implementation of controllers with decentralized strategies triggering controller updates. We consider set-ups with a central node in charge of the computation of the control commands, and a set of not co-located sensors providing measurements to the controller node. The solution we propose does not require measurements from the sensors to be synchronized in time. The sensors in our proposal provide measurements in an aperiodic way triggered by local conditions. Furthermore, in the proposed implementation (most of) the communication between nodes requires only the exchange of one bit of information (per controller update), which could aid in reducing transmission delays and as a secondary effect result in fewer transmissions being triggered.