Cost-minimization analysis of a working vacation queue with N-policy and server breakdowns

This paper investigates the N-policy M/M/1 queueing system with working vacation and server breakdowns. As soon as the system becomes empty, the server begins a working vacation. The server works at a lower service rate rather than completely stopping service during a vacation period. The server may break down with different breakdown rates during the idle, working vacation, and normal busy periods. It is assumed that service times, vacation times, and repair times are all exponentially distributed. We analyze this queueing model as a quasi-birth–death process. Furthermore, the equilibrium condition of the system is derived for the steady state. Using the matrix-geometric method, we find the matrix-form expressions for the stationary probability distribution of the number of customers in the system and system performance measures. The expected cost function per unit time is constructed to determine the optimal values of the system decision variables, including the threshold N and mean service rates. We employ the particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the optimization problem. Finally, numerical results are provided, and an application example is given to demonstrate the applicability of the queueing model.     

Automated classification of simulated wind field patterns from multiphysics ensemble forecasts

In this study, we have proposed an automated classification approach to identify meaningful patterns in wind field data. Utilizing an extensive simulated wind database, we have demonstrated that the proposed approach can identify low‐level jets, near‐uniform profiles, and other patterns in a reliable manner. We have studied the dependence of these wind profile patterns on locations (eg, offshore vs onshore), seasons, and diurnal cycles. Furthermore, we have found that the probability distributions of some of the patterns depend on the underlying planetary boundary layer schemes in a significant way. The future potential of the proposed approach in wind resource assessment and, more generally, in mesoscale model parameterization improvement is touched upon in this paper.     

Atomistic insight into the hydration and proton conducting mechanisms of the cobalt doped Ruddlesden-Popper structure Sr3Fe2O7-δ

Sr₃Fe₂O_7-δ (SFO) with two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper (R–P) structure has recently been proved to be a promising material for the single phase cathode in proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (P–SOFCs). To investigate the hydration reactions and proton conducting mechanisms of SFO and cobalt doped SFO (SFCO), both bulk and surface properties were calculated. We conclude that R–P structures have advantages in P–SOFCs. The unique Sr–O–M layer can facilitate the hydration process. Although in Sr–O–F and Sr–O–N layers, it is difficult for the formation and migration of oxygen vacancies, protons are most stable. Furthermore, cobalt doping can not only improve the electronic conductivity but also enhance surface properties of SFCO. The easily exposed Co–Fe–O surface can also facilitate the hydration reactions on the surface. Our work could give an informative insight into the relationships among the doped elements, the R–P structures, the hydration process and the proton conducting properties.     

Optimal scheduling of single stage batch plants with direct heat integration

This paper addresses the multi-objective optimization problem arising in the operation of heat integrated batch plants, where makespan and utility consumption are the two conflicting objectives. A new continuous-time MILP formulation with general precedence variables is proposed to simultaneously handle decisions related to timing, product sequencing, heat exchanger matches (selected from a two-stage superstructure) and their heat loads. It features a complex set of timing constraints to synchronize heating and cooling tasks, derived from Generalized Disjunctive Programming. Through the solution of an industrial case study from a vegetable oil refinery, we show that major savings in utilities can be achieved while generating the set of Pareto optimal solutions through the ɛ-constraint method.     

Computational Analysis of the Solid-State and Solvation Properties of Carbamazepine in Relation to its Polymorphism

The solvent-dependent polymorphism of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) carbamazepine is interpreted from calculations of the solid-state and API-solvent intermolecular interactions. These simulations suggested that apolar solute-solute interactions could be disrupted by apolar solvents. In contrast, the polar solute-solute interactions were found to be easily disrupted by polar and protic solvents. This is consistent with experimental observations that the crystallization of the metastable form II is more dominant in apolar solvents. The Mercury program remains the gold standard in terms of usability; however, further expansion into more complex simulation techniques could make this package of even greater use in pharmaceutical manufacturing workflows.     

A Distribution‐freeCUSUMChart for Monitoring Variability of AutocorrelatedProcesses

We present a distribution‐free tabular cumulative sum chart for monitoring the variability of an autocorrelated process. A quantity known as the asymptotic variance parameter is employed as a measure of the variability, and a distribution‐free tabular cumulative sum chart is applied to variance estimates calculated from batches of nonoverlapping samples. The proposed chart is applicable to a stationary process with a general marginal distribution and a general autocorrelation structure. It also determines control limits analytically without trial‐and‐error simulations. The performance of the proposed chart is tested on stationary processes with both normal and nonnormal marginals with various autocorrelation structures. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

一类两性分枝过程条件均值增长率的极限性质

本文主要研究随机环境中配对依赖人口数两性 Galton-Watson 分枝过程的条件均值增长率的极限性质．利用上可加函数的性质，得到配对单元平均增长率的极限性质和该过程条件均值的上界和下界．文中给出了关于过程条件均值增长率的两个序列，利用配对单元平均增长率的性质，获得了这两个序列的极限性质．随机环境中配对依赖人口数两性分枝过程比较复杂，本文的结论推广了现有的研究成果．