Singular value decomposition in multidimensional arrays

In this paper, an attempt is made to extend the method of singular value decomposition (SVD) to multidimensional (m-D) arrays (tensors). For the sake of brevity the whole study refers to a 3-D array. The 3-D array is transformed to a 2-D array by unifying two dimensions into one. Then, the SVD method is applied to this 2-D array. Afterwards, the unified dimensions are separated and we apply new SVDs. Finally, decomposition of the 3-D array into three dimensions is achieved. An example showing the effectiveness of the method is also presented.     

Changing the way UK cities are built: The shifting urban policy and the adaptation of London’s housebuilders<Superscript>1</Superscript>

This paper summarises recent trends in UK housebuilding and tries to place them within the wider context of the changes in housing provision in the UK. Based on relevant management literature it argues that recent changes in British urban policy, related to the types of land released and types of development promoted, have significant effects on housing production in the UK. Some indications of those changes are already visible in the type of industry outputs and in the practices of emerging industry leaders.     

STRUCTURAL SHAPE OPTIMIZATION USING EVOLUTION STRATEGIES

The objective of this paper is to investigate the efficiency of combinatorial optimization methods and in particular algorithms based on evolution strategies, when incorporated into shape optimization problems. Evolution strategy algorithms are used either on a stand-alone basis, or combined with a conventional mathematical programming technique. The numerical tests presented demonstrate the computational advantages of the proposed approach which become more pronounced in large-scale optimization problems and/or parallel computing environment.     

Spinodal Decomposition in Tetragonal Systems: SnO2-Tio2

Expressions are given for the coherency-strain elastic free energy of systems with tetragonal symmetry in the framework of the continuum theory. This theory is applied for SnO₂-TiO₂ and the results are compared with known experimental observations. Calculations for other tetragonal systems are also presented. Finally, the results of these calculations for systems of tetragonal symmetry are discussed in the light of the Cahn and Hilliard theory of spinodal decomposition.     

MAINTAINING POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF THE TOMATO FRUIT BY EMPLOYING METHYL JASMONATE AND ETHANOL VAPOR TREATMENT

ABSTRACT

The postharvest quality of tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) was evaluated after treatment with natural volatile compounds (methyl jasmonate [MJ] or ethanol) and storage at 13C during or following vapor exposure. The fruit treated with natural volatiles did not differ on fruit decay during vapor exposure, but following exposure and transfer to ambient air, the fruit had less decay at storage temperature. Volatile‐treated fruit tended to maintain firmness during exposure, and the effects were significant for ethanol‐treated fruit, following storage to ambient air. Sugar (i.e., fructose and glucose) concentration was stimulated in ethanol‐treated fruit following exposure and transfer to ambient air. Ascorbic acid concentration was stimulated in MJ‐treated fruit during exposure and persisted (including ethanol treatment) following transfer to ambient air. Total phenolics declined during vapor exposure and increased for MJ‐treated fruit after transfer to ambient air. Lycopene concentration did not differ during MJ exposure but increased following volatile exposure. The fruit samples treated with vapors had accelerated percentage weight loss compared with untreated fruit during ripening but without commercial interest, whereas citric acid content did not differ among the treatments. The results suggest that MJ and ethanol vapor may improve fruit quality‐related attributes on top of the well‐documented antimicrobial protection during fresh produce storage and transit.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The data presented in this work suggest that the use of natural volatiles is an innovative and useful tool as an alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides or other sanitation techniques in storage/packaging. Vapor enrichment may reduce disease development with a major contribution to limiting the spread of the pathogen by lowering the spore load (spore production) in the storage/transit atmospheres as well as the use of natural volatiles as an alternative food preservative. In addition to these, the improvement of fruit quality observed in the present work is of great market importance. The effects of natural compounds on individual microorganisms (fungi and bacteria), both responsible for spoilage and foodborne pathogens, as well as the minimum concentration to gain effectiveness without affecting fresh produce quality and storage deserve further research.

     

Dispatch control of a fleet of remote-controlled/automatic load-haul-dump vehicles in underground mines

Recently, a concept for automating load-haul-dump (LHD) vehicles has stimulated considerable interest in the world mining industry. In this concept, the tramming and dumping operations of an LHD should be automatic. During loading, an operator from a control room fills the bucket of a vehicle via remote-control aided by a television system. The application of such a remote-controlled/automatic LH D (RAL) system in underground mines exhibits some operational and traffic control characteristics that have not been studied previously in mining (e.g. vehicle motion in bidirectional lane-segments, lack of alternative routes to the same destination, stochastic nature of an RAL system due to human involvement in the loading operation). This paper presents and discusses a dispatch and traffic control procedure for a fleet of RAL vehicles operating in an underground mining transport layout. The development of this procedure has been based on concepts in graph theory.