Quantifying requirements volatility effects

In an organization operating in the bancassurance sector we identified a low-risk IT subportfolio of 84 IT projects comprising together 16,500 function points, each project varying in size and duration, for which we were able to quantify its requirements volatility. This representative portfolio stems from a much larger portfolio of IT projects. We calculated the volatility from the function point countings that were available to us. These figures were aggregated into a requirements volatility benchmark. We found that maximum requirements volatility rates depend on size and duration, which refutes currently known industrial averages. For instance, a monthly growth rate of 5% is considered a critical failure factor, but in our low-risk portfolio we found more than 21% of successful projects with a volatility larger than 5%. We proposed a mathematical model taking size and duration into account that provides a maximum healthy volatility rate that is more in line with the reality of low-risk IT portfolios. Based on the model, we proposed a tolerance factor expressing the maximal volatility tolerance for a project or portfolio. For a low-risk portfolio its empirically found tolerance is apparently acceptable, and values exceeding this tolerance are used to trigger IT decision makers. We derived two volatility ratios from this model, the π-ratio and the ρ-ratio. These ratios express how close the volatility of a project has approached the danger zone when requirements volatility reaches a critical failure rate. The volatility data of a governmental IT portfolio were juxtaposed to our bancassurance benchmark, immediately exposing a problematic project, which was corroborated by its actual failure. When function points are less common, e.g. in the embedded industry, we used daily source code size measures and illustrated how to govern the volatility of a software product line of a hardware manufacturer. With the three real-world portfolios we illustrated that our results serve the purpose of an early warning system for projects that are bound to fail due to excessive volatility. Moreover, we developed essential requirements volatility metrics that belong on an IT governance dashboard and presented such a volatility dashboard.     

Photocatalytic Valorization of Plastic Waste over Zinc Oxide Encapsulated in a Metal–Organic Framework

The conversion of waste plastic into high-value-added chemicals is regarded as a promising approach for relieving global plastic pollution and contributing to the circular economy. Herein, a partial calcination strategy is developed to fabricate a zinc oxide/UiO66-NH₂ (ZnO/UiO66-NH₂) heterojunction, in which ZnO is encapsulated in porous UiO66-NH₂ for the photocatalytic valorization of plastic. This strategy preserves the framework structure of UiO66-NH₂, thus enabling the formation of ZnO with ultra-small size distributed inside the skeleton. The synergistic effect of the obtained ZnO/UiO66-NH₂ heterojunction facilitates providing an efficient channel for carrier/mass transfer and guarantees structural stability. As a result, ZnO/UiO66-NH₂ exhibits high activity for converting polylactic acid (PLA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into acetic acid, coupled with H₂ production. This work provides a feasible strategy for rationally designing heterojunction photocatalysts, as well as an insight into understanding the process of photocatalytic valorization of plastic.     

电子束辐照对尼龙66纤维结构和力学性能的影响

研究了室温空气条件下电子束辐照剂量(范围0~1000 k Gy)对尼龙66纤维结构和力学性能的影响。利用广角X射线衍射仪、差示扫描量热仪、扫描电镜以及YG065型织物强力仪等测试方法研究了不同辐照剂量尼龙66的特性黏数、晶型结构、取向度、结晶和熔融行为,以及表面形貌和力学性能。研究结果表明,在设置的辐照剂量范围内,随着剂量的增加,纤维原有的晶型结构不变,但是,伴随辐照诱导非晶区分子链的重排,纤维的结晶度提高,取向有所改善,而结晶和熔融温度向低温偏移,熔融峰出现宽化。说明辐照主要导致尼龙66分子链氧化降解,降低其热稳定性,在电子束的撞击下,纤维表面产生了微裂纹,增加了应力集中,破坏了纤维的力学性能。     

2A66铝锂合金板材各向异性研究

采用布氏硬度与拉伸性能测试以及OM,SEM和TEM分析,研究2A66铝锂合金板材力学性能的各向异性随时效时间变化的规律和合金时效状态下的显微组织,并探讨影响各向异性的主要因素。结果表明:165℃峰值时效前,随时效时间的延长,2A66铝锂合金力学性能的各向异性程度逐渐下降,过时效后合金的各向异性有所增强,伸长率的各向异性大于强度各向异性。峰时效(64h)时合金的σ_b,σ_(0.2),δ的IPA值均达到了最低值,分别为3.0%,3.0%,12.2%,此时合金也获得了较好的强塑性结合,轴向σ_b,σ_(0.2),δ分别为526.5,448.9MPa,10.1%。不同热处理状态下,2A66铝锂合金平面各向异性的总体表现为:纵向(0°)和横向(90°)的强度最高,45°方向最低;45°方向试样的伸长率最高,纵向和横向最低。     

Design of experiments for bivariate binary responses modelled by Copula functions

Optimal design for generalized linear models has primarily focused on univariate data. Often experiments are performed that have multiple dependent responses described by regression type models, and it is of interest and of value to design the experiment for all these responses. This requires a multivariate distribution underlying a pre-chosen model for the data. Here, we consider the design of experiments for bivariate binary data which are dependent. We explore Copula functions which provide a rich and flexible class of structures to derive joint distributions for bivariate binary data. We present methods for deriving optimal experimental designs for dependent bivariate binary data using Copulas, and demonstrate that, by including the dependence between responses in the design process, more efficient parameter estimates are obtained than by the usual practice of simply designing for a single variable only. Further, we investigate the robustness of designs with respect to initial parameter estimates and Copula function, and also show the performance of compound criteria within this bivariate binary setting.     

抗静电增强尼龙66研制

以阴离子和非离子型抗静电剂组成复合抗静电体系，用玻璃纤维为增强剂，研制成具有良好抗静电和机械性能优良的尼龙66；介绍了抗静电复合体系及玻璃纤维含量对抗静电增强尼龙性能的影响。     

Compatibilization of ethylene/maleic anhydride/glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer for poly(phenylene sulfide)/poly(amide‐66) blends

In this article, a terpolymer of ethylene, maleic anhydride, and glycidyl methacrylate (EMG) was used to enhance the compatibilization between poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) and polyamide‐66 (PA66). The mechanical properties, morphology, crystalline and melting behavior, and rheology of blends were discussed. The results showed that EMG was a good compatibilizer for PPS and PA66 through chemical reaction with them. The new generated polymer could prevent the aggregation of dispersed particles and reinforce the interface bonding. In addition, it could not only act as a nucleating agent for PA66 to refine its spherulites and improve its crystallinity but also promote the apparent viscosity of blends and enhance the non‐Newtonian behavior. The results will be useful to make high performance PPS/PA66 alloy with low cost and enlarge the application scope of PPS and PA66 resin. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Ce-based organic framework enhanced the hydrogen evolution ability of ZnCdS photocatalyst

Ce-based organic framework materials [UIO-66(Ce)] were prepared, and the UIO-66(Ce)/ZnCdS composite was attained by microwave irradiation. Moreover, the photocatalytic hydrogen production activity was evaluated. The experimental results revealed that the ZnCdS nanoparticle was decorated on the surface of UIO-66(Ce), and the hydrogen production ability of ZnCdS nanoparticle was improved by UIO-66(Ce) significantly. The hydrogen production yield of UIO-66(Ce)/ZnCdS reaches 3.958 mmol/g·h, in which is as about 1.95 times as that of ZnCdS (2.031 mmol/g·h). The improvement for photocatalytic hydrogen production yield is because UIO-66(Ce) can facilitate the photoinduced carriers to separating.     

提高J7/A3卷绕头丝饼外观成型质量的生产实践

探讨了J7/A3卷绕头全拉伸丝(FDY)丝饼外观成型的主要影响因素。实践表明:工艺上优化卷绕张力、卷绕成形角、松弛比、热辊温度和上油率等参数,设备上加强导丝器、J7/A3卷绕头、纸管等方面的使用管理及维修保养,能够提高丝饼外观质量,满足质量控制和客户需求。     

聚苯醚/聚酰胺合金的增容及增韧改性研究

研究了马来酸酐接枝聚苯醚(PPO-g-MAH)对PPO/尼龙66(PA66)合金的增容作用和苯乙烯-乙烯/丁烯-苯乙烯(SEBS)对PPO/PA66合金的增韧作用。扫描电镜的结果表明,PPO-g-MAH可以很好地改善PPO与PA66之间的相容性,通过力学性能的表征也证明PPO-g-MAH对PPO/PA66合金有很好的增韧作用。SEBS对PPO/PA66合金有很好的增韧效果,但会降低材料的刚性。