A genetic algorithm approach to the integrated inventory-distribution problem

We introduce a new genetic algorithm (GA) approach for the integrated inventory distribution problem (IIDP). We present the developed genetic representation and use a randomized version of a previously developed construction heuristic to generate the initial random population. We design suitable crossover and mutation operators for the GA improvement phase. The comparison of results shows the significance of the designed GA over the construction heuristic and demonstrates the capability of reaching solutions within 20% of the optimum on sets of randomly generated test problems.     

A resource-constrained assembly job shop scheduling problem with Lot Streaming technique

To ensure effective shop floor production, it is vital to consider the capital investment. Among most of the operational costs, resource must be one of the critical cost components. Since each operation consumes resources, the determination of resource level is surely a strategic decision. For the first time, the application of Lot Streaming (LS) technique is extended to a Resource-Constrained Assembly Job Shop Scheduling Problem (RC_AJSSP). In general, AJSSP first starts with Job Shop Scheduling Problem (JSSP) and then appends an assembly stage for final product assembly. The primary objective of the model is the minimization of total lateness cost of all final products. To enhance the model usefulness, two more experimental factors are introduced as common part ratio and workload index. Hence, an innovative approach with Genetic Algorithm (GA) is proposed. To examine its goodness, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is the benchmarked method. Computational results suggest that GA can outperform PSO in terms of optimization power and computational effort for all test problems.     

柏林的城市铺装

城市铺装在公共空间底界面特色和城市个性塑造中具有重要作用和地位。该文在概括了柏林常见铺装的材料、色彩、质感和特点的基础上,介绍了其在柏林不同类公共空间中的应用。     

过街楼在住区设计中的重生——以柏林为例

过街楼是一种特定建筑的统称,它跨路而建,底层可以通行,内部可以停留,适用于各种类型的建筑设设计。作为一种历史悠久的传统建筑形式，它在当今的住区设计中同样发挥着重要作用。本文选取住区中的过街楼作为研究对象，以类型学和形态学为基础从整体空间布局、楼内空间格局和底层空间要素三个方面对住区过街楼的空间类型进行总结，试图获得较为系统的、全面的认识，以此见证传统过街楼在现代住区设计中的重生。     

Bio-oil derived from empty fruit bunches

The fast pyrolysis of washed and unwashed empty fruit bunches (EFB), a waste of the palm oil industry, is investigated in this study. Firstly, the composition and particle size distribution of the washed and unwashed feedstock were determined and the thermal degradation behaviour was analysed by TGA. Then a 150 g/h fluidised bed bench scale fast pyrolysis unit was used to study the impact of key variables: reactor temperature in the range 425-550 °C and feedstock ash content in the range 1.03-5.43 mf wt%. The properties of the liquid product were analysed and compared with wood derived bio-oil and petroleum fuels. It was found that the maximum ash content of washed feedstock that still yields homogenous liquids is less than about 3 mf wt%. The experiments also indicated that the fast pyrolysis of washed EFB with a low ash content gave similar yields as commonly obtained for wood.     

Torrefaction of oil palm wastes

This paper describes the effect of torrefaction on the basic characteristics of agricultural biomass wastes in Malaysia, such as empty fruit bunches (EFB), mesocarp fiber and kernel shell as a potential source of solid fuel. Mesocarp fiber and kernel shell exhibited excellent energy yield values higher than 95%. EFB, on the other hand, exhibited a rather poor yield of 56%.     

空与非空——福建南安市广电中心大楼设计

"空"与非空本为佛教用语,是一个事物的两个方面,"空"也是建筑的真谛.通过南安广播电视中心大楼的设计实践,以空作为建筑的重要设计手段,融于建筑的各部分元素中,最终实现空与非空的结合.     

Lot sizing and job shop scheduling with compressible process times: A cut and branch approach

This paper studies simultaneous lot sizing and scheduling problem in a job shop environment over a finite number of periods. The machines are flexible such that the production manager is able to change their working speeds. Also, the production schedule of the items over machines should be in consistence with technological precedence relationships. The problem is formulated as an integer linear program. Then, a number of valid inequalities are developed based on the problem structures. The proposed valid inequalities are added to the problem formulation in a “cut and branch” manner to accelerate the search process by common solvers. Finally, performance of the valid inequalities is investigated with CPLEX 12.2 on a set of randomly-generated test data.     

The Culture of the Copy

Is copying necessarily a bad thing? Theorists from Walter Benjamin to Richard Dawkins, and from Judith Butler to Homi Bhabha, have suggested not. Drawing on their work, Neil Leach , Professor of Digital Design at the European Graduate School and Visiting Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Design, challenges the notion of authenticity and argues that the entire history of human culture is built on a constant process of replication.     

A Field Guide to Radical Post-Modernism

Sean Griffiths, Charles Holland and Sam Jacob of FAT curate and classify the work of a diverse and international grouping of Radical Post-Modern architects. They range from the recently defunct Foreign Office Architects (FOA), known for their proclivity for pattern and ornament, to Tokyo-based Atelier Bow-Wow who are rigorous in their pursuit of the ordinary. They run the gamut of the highly figurative, as exemplified by Melbourne-based practice ARM, to the expressive austerity of Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.