Search

The aim of this paper is the development of a mathematical model to compute the optimal inventory mix to face stochastic demand at minimum cost in a two-level supply chain. The paper addresses a multi-product dynamic lot-sizing problem under stochastic demand subject to capacity and service level constraints. This model is executed to compare a Make To Order (MTO) strategy to a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) partnership between the supplier and their customers. Both strategies provide the demand order to be produced. A schedule of production orders is determined over the planning horizon in order to minimize the inventory holding costs of the supply chain, taking into consideration that the supplier is also responsible of initiating the replenishment orders and deliveries of their customers according to the VMI partnership. The simulation model is illustrated empirically using a real case study: a paper manufacturing company that pursues to improve customer service level and supply chain inventory costs through a proper production planning of their paper machines and a suitable VMI order replenishment schedule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stochastic cellular automata for rock-paper-scissors games are related to Lotka-Volterra model. Simulations are usually performed by two methods local and global interactions. It is well known that the population dynamics with local interaction is stable, where all species coexist. In contrast, global interaction leads to extinction. So far, theories such as mean-field theory and pair approximation have been presented, but they never explained the stable dynamics in local simulation. In the present article, we apply effective medium approximation (EMA) which has been developed in Physics. The effective medium is determined in a self-consistent way. The EMA theory well predicts the stability of population dynamics. Moreover, it fairly explains the aggregation of each species observed in the stationary state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The conversion of ethanol from paper sludge using the separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) process with cellulase and Saccharomyces cerevisiae GIM-2 were investigated in this paper. Optimization strategy based on statistical experimental designs was employed to enhance degree of saccharification by enzymatic hydrolysis of paper sludge. Based on the Plackett–Burman design, hydrolysis time, substrate concentration and cellulase dosage were selected as the most significant variable on the degree of saccharification. Subsequently, the optimum combination of the selected factors was investigated by a Box-Behnken approach. A mathematical model was developed to show the effects of each factor and their combinatorial interactions on the degree of saccharification. The optimal conditions were hydrolysis time 82.7 h, substrate concentration 40.8 g L−1 and cellulase dosage 18.1 FPU g−1 substrate, and a degree of saccharification of 82.1% can be achieved. When hydrolysate was further fermented with S. cerevisiae GIM-2, the conversion rate of sugar to ethanol was 34.2% and the ethanol yield was 190 g kg−1 of dry paper sludge, corresponding to an overall conversion yield of 56.3% of the available carbohydrates on the initial substrate. The results derived from this study indicate that the response surface methodology is a useful tool for optimizing the hydrolysis conditions to converse paper sludge to ethanol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, the determinability of time related colour changes in prints made using ink that dries on matte coated paper with the offset printing technique and infrared method, has been investigated with artifical neural networks after analysis of the experimental and numerical methods. In the experimental part a ECI 2002 CMYK test scale is printed on a 135g/m2 matte coated. The prints obtained were measured with a spectrophotometer at certain intervals and by converting the reflection data obtained into the CIELAB colour description spectrum, time related changes in printed colours have been determined. In the empirical study however, colour changes in prints made on matte coated paper using inks that dry with the infrared method are modelled numerically. The average deviation has been found to be 0.4%. As a result, artificial neural networks can be used with the aim to digitally calculate time related colour changes in the offset printing system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effects of mechanical compression and PTFE content on the through-plane gas permeability of gas diffusion layers (GDLs) of PEM fuel cells are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. A new test bed is designed and built which allows pressure drop and air flow rate measurement for various GDL samples. The measured values are used to calculate the through-plane permeability. Various GDLs are obtained and tested over a wide range of PTFE content and compression ratio. The experimental data show a reverse relationship between the through-plane permeability and both PTFE content and mechanical compression. An existing model for through-plane permeability of planar fibrous structures is revisited to develop a model that accommodates effects of PTFE content and mechanical compression. The proposed model captures the trends of the experimental data for the through-plane permeability, measured in the present study or reported by others. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We propose a new concept which is a generalization of fuzzy soft subset and fuzzy soft equal. Using such notions, we will be able to consider the distributive law of fuzzy soft sets. Using the distributive law of fuzzy soft sets, we point out that the distributive law of trapezoidal fuzzy soft sets as proposed by Xiao et al. (2012) is not true. The correction will further improve further extensions of the results of Xiao et al. (2012). We will also establish the generalized distributive law of trapezoidal fuzzy soft sets along with illustrative examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Anaerobic digestion of pulp and paper sludge (PPS) and monosodium glutamate waste liquor (MGWL) was studied in completely stirred tank reactors (CSTR) at 37 ± 2 °C. This work focused on the effect of increased organic loading rate (OLR) on the methane production in long-term experiments. For OLR in the range of (1.5–5.0) kg m−3 d−1 based on VS fed, VFA and SCOD concentrations decreased for the first 10 days and then kept stable at about 2.3 kg m−3 and 4.0 kg m−3 respectively until to the critical OLR of 5.0 kg m−3 d−1; and the methane generation rate enhanced to 0.838 m3 m−3 d−1 during this period until to the reactor failure. Additionally, reaction rate constant k and sludge retention time (SRT) are described on the basis of a mass balance in a CSTR followed a first order kinetic equation. In the present study, values for ym and k were obtained as 0.733 m3 kg−1 of removed VS and 0.07 d−1, respectively. The simple model can apply for dimensioning a CSTR digesting of organic wastes from pulp and paper industries, food processing industries, sewage treatment plants or biogas crops. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) is one of the most important pests of papaya (Carica papaya L.). The high potential damage of this pest threatens papaya production. The objective of this paper is to explore the impact of biocontrol and temperature variations on the population dynamics of Paracoccus marginatus (P. marginatus). We first propose and study a mathematical model for the dynamics of P. marginatus within a papaya field. This model consists of a time-delayed non-autonomous system of differential equations that takes into account the egg incubation period, temperature variations, plant compensation and predators that are natural enemies of the papaya pest. We provide the basic properties of the model, compute the basic offspring number N 0 and show that there exists two threshold parameters N _ 0 and ξ 0 such that N _ 0 ≤ N 0 ≤ ξ 0 ≤ 1 and N 0 ≥ N _ 0 > 1 provide conditions for the extinction and persistence of the pest within the papaya field, respectively. After, we investigate the impact of biocontrol on the pest population. We found that the use of a control strategy based on constant releases of predators could reduce the pest population by 35.62 percent and increase the biomass by 77.50 percent, while the use of impulsive releases of predators result in a decrease of 96.31 percent of the pest population and an increases of 55.74 percent of the biomass. We also combine the use of continuous predator releases and bio-pesticides and discovered that a spray applied 90 days after germination could completely eliminate the pest population and boost the biomass by 81.58 percent. • The population dynamics of Paracoccus marginatus , papaya pest is modeled. • The model includes the egg incubation period, temperature variations and biocontrol. • The warm temperatures are favorable to the development and survival of the pest. • The use of impulsive releases of predators can reduce the pest by 96.31%. • The use of continuous releases of predators and bio-pesticides can eradicate the pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-phase flows under microgravity conditions play a crucial role in Space technology and science. Studying the behavior of dispersed droplets suspended in a gas flow and their influence on the characteristics of the carrier flow is the main task of computational modeling of turbulent two-phase flows. To understand the features and predict the behavior of such flows, along with experimental studies, it is necessary to develop mathematical models, which adequately describe all the basic physical and chemical processes in a gas-droplet environment at different scales. In this paper we obtain solutions for the problem of two droplets collision, using solutions for cumulative jets, and propose droplet collision outcome criterion. This research will focus on the process of two interacting droplets coalescence into one and coalescence with subsequent separation into two or more droplets. A semi-analytical method has been developed for application of the solution of the cumulative jet problem to the problem of droplet collision. A differential equation has been obtained that describes the following possible outcomes of droplet collision: coalescence and coalescence with subsequent separation. A criterion for determining the outcome of on-head droplet collision has been obtained. In accordance with the developed criterion, the number and size of formed droplets are obtained. The effect of collision on moving droplet evaporation in a heated atmosphere was regarded. • Solutions for the problem of two droplets collision and fragmentation are obtained. • A differential equation has been obtained that describes droplet coalescence or atomization. • A criterion for droplet fragmentation has been obtained. • The effect of collision on moving droplet evaporation in a heated atmosphere was regarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth observation satellite (EOS) scheduling is critical for improving the performance of Earth observation system. Most of the existing studies on satellite observation scheduling problems focus on static tasks and real-time dynamic tasks also known as emergency tasks while few attempts have been made for common dynamic tasks yet. The common dynamic tasks are characterized by uncertain arrival times and delayable observations while the emergency tasks require immediate observations. The number of common dynamic tasks is rapidly increasing with the expansion of satellite observation applications, which poses great challenges to EOS observation scheduling. To address this issue, this paper investigates the satellite observation scheduling problem with common dynamic tasks. Firstly, a centralized onboard dynamic scheduling framework based on a periodic-triggered rolling horizontal optimization (RHO) strategy is proposed and a novel two-stage mathematical model is established for the periodic rescheduling problem. Secondly, we propose a low-complexity onboard periodic rescheduling algorithm (OPR), which consists of a greedy-based task allocation algorithm, a pointer network (Ptr-network) based task scheduling algorithm and an iterative local search algorithm. In the greedy-based task allocation algorithm, we define a Task-EOS Fitness Indicator (TEFI) and each task is greedily allocated to the EOS with maximum TEFI. In the Ptr-network based task scheduling algorithm, the allocated task sets of all EOSs are fed into the Ptr-network in parallel to generate the observation scheduling result. Afterward, an iterative local search algorithm is proposed to further improve the quality of the observation scheduling result. Finally, extensive experiments are conducted to demonstrate the superiority of the OPR algorithm for the satellite observation scheduling problem with common dynamic tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reviews the mathematics of the EOQ/EPQ-based reverse logistics models. • It provides a condensed review of the works that stemmed from the work of Schrady (1967). • It identifies significant research gaps and provides future research directions. This paper reviews the mathematics of the economic order/production quantity (EOQ/EPQ)-based models in the reverse logistics (RL) literature. It starts with the seminal work of Schrady (A deterministic inventory model for reparable items. Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, 14(3), 1967, 391–398) up until December 31, 2022. It provides researchers with a road map of how the mathematics has evolved since the work of Schrady and saves them time and effort by avoiding the need to review the entire RL literature. As it unifies the notations for all reviewed models, it also provides some research pointers for promising topics to be pursued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant dimensional variations may occur in paper-based materials when subjected to changes in moisture content. Moisture induced deformations are governed by the swelling of individual fibres, which is transferred through inter-fibre bonds to the entire fibrous network. Complex interactions between mechanical and hygro-expansive properties take place in the bonding areas, affecting the overall material response. In most network models, the role of these inter-fibre bonds is not explicitly incorporated. This work presents a periodic meso-structural model for the discrete fibrous network, which considers the free-standing fibre segments and inter-fibre bonds. Despite its simplicity, the reference unit-cell enables the incorporation of relevant micro- and meso-structural features such as network structure, fibres and bond geometry and hygro-elastic properties. The proposed model is solved analytically through a proper homogenization strategy, allowing to recover the paper’s anisotropic hygro-mechanical response in terms of effective elastic constants and effective hygro-expansive coefficients, exploiting the coupling at the meso-structural level between hygroscopic and mechanical behavior. A comparison with experimental results obtained from the literature shows that the presented approach is quite accurate in predicting the overall paper response, thereby revealing the influence of several meso-scale parameters (e.g. fibre orientation, dimensions, mechanical strength). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safe operation of orbital platforms relies heavily on stability of fluid flows in microgravity, which are strongly affected by capillary forces. The paper considers multiphase fluid seepage through a porous medium. Questions of instability of the interface between liquids are discussed. The effect of capillary instability is shown, which was revealed during the processing of experimental data on the imbibition of a porous structure in microgravity conditions during parabolic flights. A mathematical model is proposed to describe the process of multiple imbibition of a porous medium under conditions of variable gravity. The model takes into account hysteresis, various models of capillary pressure are used during imbibition and drainage. The paper also considers a method for modeling the instability by transforming the constitutive equations. The method allows modeling additional blurring of the imbibition front. The results of modeling based on this method for capillary imbibition of a porous medium under microgravity conditions, as well as for the case when chemical interactions occur between flowing fluids, are considered. • The instability of the phase boundary during seepage is considered. • Flows are studied controlling safe operation of spacecraft fluid supply systems. • A new mathematical model for describing the multiple imbibition is proposed • The seepage with chemical interactions between the phases is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Paper is an example of a valuable material that can be recycled and recovered. In this study, a two-stage stochastic revenue-maximization model is presented to determine a long-term strategy under uncertainty for a large-scale real-world paper recycling company. This network-design problem includes optimal recycling center locations and optimal flow amounts between the nodes in the multi-facility environment. The proposed model is formulated with two-stage stochastic mixed-integer and robust programming approaches. The models are solved by commercial software GAMS 21.6/CPLEX 9.0 and the results are compared. The study is followed by the analyses of the results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A wide range of mathematical models for multiple effect evaporators in process industry including paper industry are well reported in the literature but not so extensive work on the dynamic behavior of MEE system is available in the literature. In the present study dynamic behavior of multi-effect evaporator system of a paper industry is obtained by disturbing the feed flow rate, feed concentration, live steam temperature and feed temperature. For this purpose an unsteady-state model for the multi-effect evaporator system is developed. Each effect in the process is represented by a number of variables which are related by the energy and material balance equations for the feed, product and vapor flow. A generalized mathematical model which could be applied to any number of effects and all kinds of feeding arrangements like forward feed, backward feed, mixed feed and spilt feed in the MEE system with simple modifications was finally obtained. Finally model for mixed feed sextuple effect falling film evaporators system was solved using MATLAB. For the steady state and dynamic simulation the ‘fsolve’ and ‘ode45’ solvers in MATLAB source code is used respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work we present a mathematical model describing the coupled heat and moisture transport in paper. The model is solved numerically and the numerical solution is used to study the interdependency of the moisture and temperature distribution in paper. The results show that variation with temperature of the saturated water vapor concentration and the sorption isotherm parameters are both important for inducing moisture desorption. It is also found that for steep relative humidity ramps moisture sorption generates temperature increments that slow down the sorption process itself. The model is also used to study the moisture gradients in a paper sheet inside a printer from Océ Technologies, which contains a warm print surface. The results predict changes in moisture content of only 0.2%, which suggests that no deformations are induced on the printed sheet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work is concerned with the adhesion strength between a paper web and a metal roll surface, which is a common situation in paper machines world-wide. It is shown that the classic expression relating the work of adhesion to the peeling angle and web tension is, in general, insufficient. An improved model is suggested to take into account the energy dissipation due to elastic–plastic deformation behavior of wet paper materials. To judge the model, an industrially relevant example of wet newsprint and a mild steel surface is studied. It is found that the agreement between theory and experimental observations is excellent. A key result is that elastic–plastic material behavior must always be included for wet paper materials in peeling processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers a process of a controlled attitude motion of a dual-spin nanosatellite. The main goal of control is to achieve a gravitationally stabilized position in a circular orbit in the shortest possible time. The dual-spin nanosatellite contains a gravitational damper and an internal rotor inside a movable unit. The movable unit can fulfill small controlled inclination relative to the main body of the nanosatellite. The mathematical model of the attitude dynamics of the nanosatellite is built and appropriate control laws are developed. Simulation results confirm the performance of the gravitational damper and efficiency of the control algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeastern Turkey perished by the M w 7.8, Kahramanmaras earthquake on February 6, 2023, at 01:17 UT (04:17 LT). The Kahramanmaras-centered event, hit by the break of the East Anatolian Fault Line, is felt in Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, and Cyprus on the border of Turkey. Together with Syria, it causes loss of lives and severe damage in 10 cities. This work is dedicated to the people of the region. The study discusses the causality of anomalies by conducting ionospheric anomaly research via the interpolated TEC map obtained from the CODE according to the coordinates of the epicenter of the earthquake (latitude, longitude). The TEC amplitudes are observed by evolving the time-domain TEC map into the frequency-domain with the Fourier transform. The peaks of the amplitudes allow preliminary information for the anomaly days. For the anomaly, the TEC (TECU) boundaries are drawn by the statistical specification. The TEC map outside these boundaries is marked as an anomaly. The causality of abnormalities is tried to be read through the triad of the geomagnetic storm(s) , solar activity , and the earthquake effect. One can find seven anomaly days in the paper. January 30, February 2, 3, 11, 15, 16, and 21 are the anomaly days. The essay probably detects the anomaly before 3 days related to the Southeastern earthquake. • Reads the causality of the earthquake in southeast Turkey (Mw 7.8), through the ionosphere-earth crust relationship. • Notices potential anomalies by presenting the time-domain TEC atlas in the frequency domain with Fourier spectral analysis. • Considering all possible TEC anomaly essentials detect the precursors of the earthquake 3 days before the event day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring special multi-scroll chaotic systems is meaningful work. This paper studies an expanded multi-scroll chaotic system consisting of eight terms with one nonlinearity. It is generated by modifying the nonlinear term of the newly constructed chaotic system by a polynomial function. The unique mathematical model makes the unstable index-2 equilibria increase in four dimensions, which contributes to the number of scrolls expanding in each phase plane unidirectionally. Dynamic analysis finds that the system can yield complex nested multi-scroll attractors and has single-parameter-based synchronization control of amplitude and offset boosting behavior. Moreover, circuit implementation verifies the physical existence of the proposed system. Also, an image encryption algorithm for remote sensing images is established. Permutation and diffusion operations are performed using new pixel coordinates derived from the data of the chaotic matrix, which comes from the same position as the pixel matrix. Relevant tests suggest that the algorithm is secure and able to resist undesirable interference. • Simple multiscroll chaotic system with various signal control features is proposed. • Complex dynamics, circuit implementation of the proposed system is studied. • New chaos-based image encryption algorithm with high security is designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effects of model fidelity and parameter uncertainty on the performance of a hybrid model-based feedback-feedforward control scheme for attitude tracking of a satellite with flexible appendages. The feedforward component is an inverse model-based term produced through a computational approach known as inverse simulation (InvSim), which works by iteratively solving a discretised reference trajectory. The hybrid controller's feedback is proportional-derivative (PD) based, using body attitude and rate feedback to provide stability and robustness. Furthermore, to ensure that the flexible modes do not trigger instability, the PD control gains are tuned to give a closed-loop response that is significantly slower than the flexible modes. Additionally, excitation of the flexible modes is reduced by minimising jerk through polynomial rest-to-rest manoeuvres, following the shortest quaternion path using spherical–linear-interpolation (SLERP). The effects of the appendage flexing on attitude tracking are then compensated through the feedforward element of the hybrid controller, with performance being compared to a traditional PD tracking law. The effect of the model fidelity on the performance of the hybrid controller is investigated through the use of both rigid body and multiple-fidelity finite-element mathematical models. Additionally, the effect of uncertainties in the model parameters is investigated to determine the accuracy of the model required to obtain significant improvement in attitude tracking. It is found that in the absence of any model parameter uncertainty, the hybrid controller outperforms the PD tracking control law by at least one order of magnitude when the finite-element model is used. Increasing the number of finite elements was found to provide no significant improvement in performance, with one element being sufficient and favourable with its lower computational overhead. It was also found that to ensure good performance compared to the PD tracking controller, the uncertainty in the inertia tensor should be < 1%. Similarly, uncertainty in the first flexible modal frequency should be < 0.5 rad/s. • Inverse simulation (InvSim) used to produce model-based feedforward control. • Combined with PD feedback to improve attitude tracking. • Effects of model uncertainty and fidelity on model-based control investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physics-informed neural networks (PINN) architectures have been recently explored to accelerate hemodynamics simulations by leveraging mathematical models for blood flow and empirical data. In this paper, a variable separated physics-informed neural networks based on adaptive weighted loss functions (AW-vsPINN) is developed for blood flow model in arteries. In particular, sub-neural networks are proposed to separately predict the unknown scalar state variables by sharing the same input layer. The AW-vsPINN adaptively adjusts the weights of loss terms by the minmax algorithm, which will be updated synchronously along with the network parameters and can balance the contributions of different loss terms during training. The two-stage optimization is implemented to train the neural networks. Specifically, the Adam optimizer is iterated for initial steps with the learning rate generated by the inverse time decay scheduler, and then the L-BFGS optimizer continues to train until the loss converges. Numerical results illustrate that the AW-vsPINN can remarkably improve prediction accuracy and enhance the ability of generalization compared to the conventional PINN. The proposed AW-vsPINN framework has high potential in predicting the blood flow information in cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In a previous work, a moisture diffusion coefficient for non-impregnated transformer insulation paper was proposed, which is useful for analysing the moisture dynamics in electrical power transformer insulation during its construction stage. This diffusion coefficient was determined using a set of experimental drying curves obtained in a thermogravimetric analyzer and an optimization process that employs genetic algorithms. The expression for the moisture diffusion coefficient proposed in that previous work is dependent on the temperature, insulation thickness and average moisture concentration. The use of average moisture concentration is not common in diffusion models. In this paper, a new expression for the moisture diffusion coefficient is proposed in which the dependence on average moisture has been substituted by a dependence on the local concentration. This new expression was obtained that is more suitable for diffusion models. To obtain that expression, the same experimental data used in the previous study have been used, but the genetic algorithm’s optimization process was modified. In this paper, a description of the applied procedure is detailed, and the new proposed expression is presented. Finally, a comparison between both equations, the one dependent on average moisture and the one dependent on the local moisture, is performed using a drying diffusion model implemented in a finite element commercial software package. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Availability analysis has been an important issue in the design field of any Industrial system as the system structure has become more complicated. Also, the system availability is affected by many factors such as design, manufacturing, installation, etc., and so it may be extremely difficult to model, analyze and predict the failure behavior of the system. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new approach for computing various performance measures, namely reliability, availability, MTBF (mean time between failures), ENOF (expected number of failures), failure rate and repair time, for any industrial system. In the proposed approach, the failure rates and repair times of all constituent components are obtained using genetic algorithms and then various performance measures are computed using fuzzy lambda–tau methodology. Washing system, the major part of paper industry is the subject of study. The interactions among the working components are modeled using Petri nets. Failure and repair rates are represented using triangular fuzzy numbers as they allow expert opinion, linguistic variables, operating conditions, uncertainty and imprecision in reliability information to be incorporated into system model. Based on calculated reliability parameters, a structured framework has been developed that may help the maintenance engineers to analyze and predict the system behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper proposes the concept and the technology of social networking federation as a paradigm where information on various social network systems can be seamlessly integrated in order to provide users a uniform and semantic view of their social connections. Such a uniformly fused social network provides a single point of access where all information with respect to one’s social networks can be queried and reasoned about. The goal of the research is to establish a foundation of integrating and assimilating information within multiple social network systems. We designed a reference model of social networking federation system in this paper, as well as some prototype application to demonstrate its paradigm. We believe our work would provide a novel vision of future online social network. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Paper is a stochastic network of fibres, water and additives, and in that sense it may be envisaged as a composite material. Since fibres are much longer than the thickness of the paper sheet, the network is planar and almost two-dimensional. The two-dimensional structure governs many paper properties but the three-dimensional porous structure is also important. Insight into the structural changes that take place when paper is compressed in the paper machine may be gained by modelling and simulation of its viscoelastoplastic behaviour. The present work describes a mathematical model based on the cellular solids theory, characterising the nonlinear rheologic behaviour of the material. This approach results in an unsteady state problem and the resulting set of ODEs is solved by means of the DLSODES subroutine, which uses an integrator based in the Gear method. Experiments were conducted on a laboratory-scale dynamic press in order to validate the mechanical model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Despite a sense of familiarity casually assumed in their mutual perceptions, pragmatics and rhetoric remain estranged from each other, and “the notion of rhetoric and its relation to pragmatics” continues to puzzle pragmaticists in general. In this paper we take a close look at how the two disciplines have interacted so far, identifying discrepancies and misunderstandings in their approaches to each other and tracing those problems to some deeply embedded disciplinary differences. Following an analysis of these differences, we reflect on how the two disciplines can work together in their broadly shared pursuits, proposing that they adopt a classical model of interdisciplinary relationship and treat the other as one''s antistrophos. An antistrophos-based relationship is capable of accommodating the intricacies and complexities of a multi-faceted relationship. It is conducive to a “reciprocal and reversible” kind of disciplinary self-invention in both fields. And most significantly, it exhorts against treating each other as an object for appropriation, or as an other to be turned into the same. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using advanced machine learning techniques as an alternative to conventional double-entry volume equations, a regression model of the inside-bark volume (dependent variable) for standing Eucalyptus globulus trunks (or main stems) has been built as a function of the following three independent variables: age, height and outside-bark diameter at breast height (DBH). The experimental observed data (age, height, outside-bark DBH and inside-bark volume) for 142 trees (E. globulus) were measured and a nonlinear model was built using a data-mining methodology based on support vector machines (SVM) and multilayer perceptron networks (MLP) for regression problems. Coefficients of determination and Furnival’s indices indicate the superiority of the SVM with a radial kernel over the allometric regression models and the MLP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Land-use change (LUC) estimated by economic models has sparked intense international debate. Models estimate how much LUC might be induced under prescribed scenarios and rely on assumptions to generate LUC values. It is critical to test and validate underlying assumptions with empirical evidence. Furthermore, this modeling approach cannot answer if any specific indirect effects are actually caused by biofuel policy. The best way to resolve questions of causation is via scientific methods. Kim and Dale attempt to address the question of if, rather than how much, market-induced land-use change is currently detectable based on the analysis of historic evidence, and in doing so, explore some modeling assumptions behind the drivers of change. Given that there is no accepted approach to estimate the global effects of biofuel policy on land-use change, it is critical to assess the actual effects of policies through careful analysis and interpretation of empirical data. Decision makers need a valid scientific basis for policy decisions on energy choices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The mathematical model of the reachable domain of the contingency return trajectories. • Reachable domain calculation method of the contingency return trajectories based on interval analysis. • Parameter characteristic analysis of reachable domain. The investigation on reachable domain based on interval analysis is performed, which is aimed for the contingency return trajectories during the circumlunar flight stage in manned lunar landing engineering. First, the issue of contingency return trajectory, which adopts a non-coplanar maneuver during the circumlunar flight phase, is expounded upon. The mathematical model of the reachable domain of contingency return trajectories is established. Second, the contingency return trajectory is designed. An improved interval branch and bound algorithm is introduced and a reachable domain calculation method of the contingency return trajectories is proposed. Third, in numerical simulations, by comparing the reachable domain obtained by the traditional brute force method, the accuracy of the method presented in this paper is verified. It also indicates that this method has a higher calculation efficiency. Finally, numerous simulations are conducted to discuss the parameter characteristic of reachable domain by adopting this method. The study conclusions can serve as an important reference for the selection and decision of contingency return trajectory plans in the future manned lunar landing engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a simple and fast shape transformation method. This method is based on the Allen-Cahn (AC) partial differential equation and uses the edge stop function to constrain evolution. We use the operator splitting method to control the equation for splitting, and use the explicit Euler's method to solve the discrete equation. Based on the source shape and the target shape, our phase-field model can perform rapid shape transformation when the appropriate parameters are selected. In order to verify the feasibility of our proposed phase-field model, numerical experiments on shape transformation are carried out in two-dimensional and three-dimensional space. The results show that the established mathematical model can not only perform shape transformation between simple shapes, but also have a good effect on shape transformation between complex shapes. We also propose a numerical solution using the Crank-Nicolson numerical scheme to handle the model we introduced. This numerical scheme utilizes the multigrid method and Gauss-Seidel iteration for solving. The results of the numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of this numerical method in handling shape transformations in three-dimensional space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scaling in conventional black liquor evaporators has presented problems for decades, impeding the improvement of productivity in paper mills. Recent investigations suggest that falling film technology may effectively minimize black liquor fouling and improve productivity in a paper mill. This finding motivates the current work to analyze the transport phenomenon, enrichment and scale fouling of black liquor in a falling film evaporator. In the paper, a mathematical model based on a turbulent two-phase flow with multiple components is presented to investigate the transport processes of black liquor in a falling film evaporator. A phenomenological model of crystallization fouling is used to predict the fouling process. The results show the relationship between heat and mass transfer occurring within a very thin viscous sublayer close to the heat transfer surface, and the influence of soluble solids concentration and thermal boundary condition on the enrichment and scale fouling of black liquor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• In this article, an optimal evaluation of re-opening policies for COVID-19 is developed. • The method provides effective re-opening policies using agent-based models and the whale optimization algorithm. • Agent-based models simulate the transmission risk in scenarios that are impossible to evaluate in real conditions. • The whale optimization algorithm is used to find the best scenario where the lowest risk of infection is reached. • Experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach delivers realistic predictions to formulate re-opening policies. A new contagious disease or unidentified COVID-19 variants could provoke a new collapse in the global economy. Under such conditions, companies, factories, and organizations must adopt reopening policies that allow their operations to reduce economic effects. Effective reopening policies should be designed using mathematical models that emulate infection chains through individual interactions. In contrast to other modeling approaches, agent-based schemes represent a computational paradigm used to characterize the person-to-person interactions of individuals inside a system, providing accurate simulation results. To evaluate the optimal conditions for a reopening policy, authorities and decision-makers need to conduct an extensive number of simulations manually, with a high possibility of losing information and important details. For this reason, the integration of optimization and simulation of reopening policies could automatically find the realistic scenario under which the lowest risk of infection was attained. In this paper, the metaheuristic technique of the Whale Optimization Algorithm is used to find the solution with the minimal transmission risk produced by an agent-based model that emulates a hypothetical re-opening context. Our scheme finds the optimal results of different generical activation scenarios. The experimental results indicate that our approach delivers practical knowledge and essential estimations for identifying optimal re-opening strategies with the lowest transmission risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A model for edema growth coupled with degradation and drug delivery from a PLGA intravitreal implant is proposed. • The edema growth model can be fitted with respect to one parameter to match patient-specific data. • The proposed methodology can be used to provide insights into the pharmacokinetics of a dexamethasone PLGA implant. • The model presented provides a general framework for the study of problems in tissue growth in other contexts. In this paper, we introduce a mathematical model for the drug release from an intravitreal implant and the subsequent effect of the drug on the inflammation process of macular edema. Coupling the drug transport problem with the growth of the edema, we compare the numerical simulations with patient-specific medical images. We fit the model with respect to one parameter and match the retinal thickness observed in the patient. After the validation of the proposed model, we perform numerical experiments regarding patient-specific treatments. In particular, we analyze the drug concentration in the different sub-domains (e.g., the implant and the retina) and simulate the scenario of edema recurrence and implant re-injection. The proposed mathematical model has the potential to provide important insights into the use of intravitreal dexamethasone implants and the treatment of macular edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present comment concerns some doubtful results included in the above papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we describe electrophoresis of charged particles in a thin layer of a nonpolar liquid between two insulating substrates because this configuration is common in recently developed in-plane electronic paper. In the in-plane electrophoresis experiments a model system of charged inverse micelles in dodecane has been used which is well understood from studies of out-of-plane electrophoresis. The transient current due to drift and diffusion of charged inverse micelles is measured in thin in-plane devices upon application of a voltage step. For the modelling of the transient dynamics of charged inverse micelles without chemical reactions or convection a 1-dimensional approximation of the Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) equations is developed. This approximation is valid for a sufficiently thin in-plane device and allows much faster calculations. Firstly, it is verified in the case of a sufficiently thin in-plane device and high applied voltage that the 1-dimensional approximation is in good agreement with the solution of the full 2-dimensional PNP equations with finite elements implementation. Then, the 1-dimensional approximation is used to study the transient current and trajectories of trace amounts of charged colloidal particles in different regimes depending on the screening of the electric field. Also a comparison is made to the well-studied case of out-of-plane electrophoresis. Finally, it is verified that for voltages much larger than the thermal voltage the experimental results are in good agreement with the 1-dimensional approximation, indicating that the charge transport dynamics of charged inverse micelles in the bulk are described well by the model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes an accurate model of the Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) of the Thermal Analysis Support and Environment Characterization Laboratory (TASEC-Lab), a university experiment developed for using in high-altitude balloon missions to measure and analyze the convection heat transfer. A Li-ion battery and two high efficient DC–DC converters have been characterized through laboratory tests and fitting to the experimental results. The developed mathematical models described in this paper are used to carry out accurate EPS simulations and are validated by comparison with the experimental data. • Design and modeling of the electrical power subsystem of a stratospheric balloon experiment. • New Li-lion battery discharging model that describes the three main parts: initial decay, linear, and exponential decay. • Formulation of a new DC/DC converter efficiency model. • Simulation and model validation of the electrical power subsystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel four-dimensional autonomous chaotic system based on memristive diode bridge is presented, and it consists of a simple linear oscillation and a memristor. According to the mathematical model of the system, the equilibrium point is analyzed, and the phase portraits, time-domain sequences, bifurcation diagrams and Lyapunov exponent spectrums are numerically simulated. The rich dynamical behavior of proposed system is investigated. It includes multistability, offset boosting and chaotic bursting. In addition, the circuit simulation and Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) hardware experiment are carried out to verify the feasibility of the system. Then the application of proposed system in chaotic image encryption is presented. By carrying out some security performance analyses, we show that the proposed system has good security performance. • A memristor chaotic system with simple circuit structure is proposed. • The memristive chaotic system presented in this paper has rich dynamical behaviors. • The dynamical behavior of offset boosting and multi-stable is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to explore the development of a flight dynamics model for a small-scale side-by-side helicopter and describe its trim and stability characteristics. The helicopter is considered a suitable candidate for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) solutions, because of its reliable design and low noise characteristics, but still very small knowledge is present on the mathematical modeling approaches and dynamic properties. A 14 degrees of freedom nonlinear mathematical model is developed and semi-analytical models are employed to account for the presence of the shrouds. An iterative trim routine is developed and applied with a suitable control mix that allows the use of classic helicopter controls. To control the vertical speed and roll rate, the paper assumes an equal collective pitch and lateral cyclic in the two rotors, while a uniform plus a differential longitudinal cyclic is adopted for pitch and yaw maneuvers. The paper discusses unique characteristics of the side-by-side configuration as obtained from the stability analysis: an unstable high-frequency mode, governed by the vertical velocity and pitch angle arises when the center of gravity (CG) of the vehicle is aligned or placed in front of the two main rotors. Similarly, both lateral phugoid and roll subsidence modes are sensitive to the CG location. The side-by-side configuration presents also a stable spiral mode which needs to be carefully designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the second in a two-part series on the concavity-convexity of the distribution system security region (DSSR). In Part I, the concave-convex characteristics and mechanism of DSSR are revealed by observing many case grids. In Part II (this paper), the concave-convex principle of DSSR is revealed through mathematical deduction. Firstly, the relevant concepts of sub-regions are proposed, and a DSSR model based on the union of sub-regions is developed. Secondly, the concave-convex principle of DSSR is proposed. The proposed criteria show that the security region of a distribution system with a single load transfer path for each feeder is convex, while that with multiple load transfer paths for some feeders can be concave or convex. Thirdly, the proposed criteria are deduced mathematically. Fourthly, based on the criteria, a method is proposed to judge whether a DSSR is concave or convex. Fifthly, the proposed criteria and method are verified through several cases, and the DSSR concavity-convexity of real distribution systems in China is also analyzed. Finally, the applications of DSSR concavity-convexity are illustrated. This work lays a mathematical foundation for the research of the topological properties of DSSR and is also useful for the application of DSSR. • The DSSR mathematical model based on the union of sub-regions is developed. • Three criteria are proposed and proved, revealing the concave-convex principle of DSSR. • A judgment method for DSSR concavity-convexity is proposed based on these criteria. • The DSSR concavity-convexity of real distribution systems in China is analyzed. • The application values of DSSR concavity-convexity are demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of economic globalization, distributed hybrid flow shop scheduling problem (DHFSSP) has become prevalent in realistic manufacturing systems. Moreover, to accord with the actual production scenarios and satisfy the requirement of manufacturing market, it is imperative to comprehensively explore various complex manufacturing scenarios (e.g., production assembly) and production-constrained resources (e.g., worker resources) in DHFSSP. However, the integration mode of DHFSSP, assembly shop problem (ASP), and dual-resource constraints (DRC) has not been reported in existing literature. Thus, to fill out this research gap, this paper first attempts to investigate DAHFSSP-DRC with minimization the total tardiness (T T D). To solve this problem, a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model and a knowledge-based iterated greedy algorithm (KBIG) are presented. The novelties of KBIG are as follows: (1) An efficient decoding is developed to improve the solution's quality; (2) A knowledge-based NEH (KB-NEH) initialization strategy is presented to generate an initial solution; (3) A knowledge-based destruction and construction is designed to improve the exploration capability; (4) A product-based local search is proposed to enhance the exploitation capability. Additionally, to validate the proposed model, we implement CPLEX to solve it on 24 small-sized instances. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed KBIG, extensive experiments are conducted to compare with other 7 comparison algorithms on 405 large-sized instances. Experimental results illustrate that KBIG is superior to its competitors. • This paper first investigates DAHFSSP-DRC with minimization TTD. • A MILP model and a KBIG are proposed for DAHFSSP-DRC. • The importance level of different knowledge is considered in KBIG. • Experimental results prove the effectiveness of MILP model and KBIG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mathematical model to describe drug delivery to the posterior segment of the eye. • Efficacy of intravitreal (IVI), suprachoroidal (SCS) and subretinal (SRS) injections enhanced by iontophoresis. • Protocols based on the use of a series of electric pulses at fixed times, can lead to an optimized SRS or SCS release. • In case of choroidal, retinal or vitreous diseases, SRS injection is the right option. Drug and gene delivery to the eye, namely to the posterior segment of the eye, is one of the most challenging problems for ophthalmologists and pharmacologists. The reason lies in the fact that the eye is protected by multiple barriers that prevent the permeation of xenobiotics and consequently prevent drugs from permeating ocular tissues. Intravitreal injection (IVI), a procedure that releases the drug directly into the vitreous, has become the gold standard for the treatment of posterior diseases. However, due to its invasiveness, several complications can occur. Medical and pharmaceutical researchers are continuously looking for new compounds, new access routes and new ways of enhancing the release. In recent years, two less invasive routes, subretinal space (SRS) and suprachoroidal space (SCS), have received considerable attention, to target the posterior segment of the eye. The aim of the paper is to present a mathematical model that simulates the coupling of an electric field with SRS or SCS injections, and to show how drug distribution compares with the gold standard, IVI. The model is represented by coupled systems of parabolic and elliptic partial differential equations. The ocular barriers are described with a certain detail. A priori estimates establish qualitative properties of the total mass released. Numerical simulations, in different scenarios, illustrate the comparative behaviour of the three treatments for short and long times. The evolution of mean drug concentration in the different ocular tissues, with and without electrical assistance, is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the commented paper the authors consider a model of a two-dimensional airfoil with cubic nonlinearity in supersonic flow. They claim to prove the existence of Siʼlnikov homoclinic orbits by using the undetermined coefficient method and, consequently, Smale horseshoe chaos occurs via Siʼlnikov criterion. Unfortunately, their demonstration is invalid because the form of the function they assume in the series expansion for the homoclinic orbits is incorrect. Namely, they compose the homoclinic orbit of the same manifold, which is stable in forward time and unstable in reverse time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This special issue contains the revised and extended versions of three papers presented in the 4th Workshop on Advances in Model-Based Testing (A-MOST 2008). In addition to an executive summary of these three papers, this preface briefly reviews the papers published in the four editions of the A-MOST workshop. We hope that the reader will find this special issue interesting and informative. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Determining the urban critical infrastructures in the event of an earthquake. • Designing Location-Routing-Inventory decisions in humanitarian relief chain. • Simulation of interaction of urban infrastructure in earthquake conditions. • Using a cooperative game to examine the manner of cooperation of disaster relief supply chain players. • Application of the model to a real-world disaster relief logistic case study. This paper describes a new simulation based mathematical model for locating distribution centres, vehicle routing, and inventory problems under earthquake conditions. In this paper, the proposed network includes affected areas, suppliers, distribution centres, and hospitals. Additionally, the basic infrastructures of the city, which are very fragile at the time of the earthquake, are identified. Then, the demand of each relief commodity is calculated depending on the different earthquake scenarios using simulation. The estimated demand is incorporated into the mathematical model as an uncertain parameter. The proposed methodology is designed as a two-stage model so that in the first stage the location and inventory of distribution centres are addressed. Thereafter, in the second stage the routing decisions are taken for the distribution of relief commodities from the distribution centres and suppliers to the affected areas. Due to the NP-hardness of the second stage model, this model is solved using multi-objective stochastic fractal search. This algorithm is one of the population-based and stochastic optimization techniques and inspired by the natural phenomenon of fractal growth. It should be noted that in the second stage, a cooperative game theory of coalition type is considered, which resulted in synergies that minimize the relief golden time. The kind of cooperation is the use of potential of co-operators' vehicle. In this stage, the possibility for the players to cooperate by sharing people and commodities transportation requests is considered. Also, to validate the model, a real case study is provided for a possible earthquake in Tehran. Finally, the comparison between the simulation results and the values obtained from the real system evaluates the performance of the implemented model. Considering normality and a 95% confidence interval, it can be concluded that the proposed model provides a precise representation of the real system's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper considers the process of imbibition in a porous medium under the action of capillary forces in microgravity. A description of experiments on the repeated imbibition of an artificial porous medium during parabolic flights is given. In some experiments, the porous medium is homogeneous; in others, the experimental cell contains regions with different permeability. The analysis of non-stationary and convective terms in the equation of momentum conservation and their influence on the imbibition process is carried out. The results of numerical modeling of the process of repeated imbibition under the action of capillary forces under microgravity in an inhomogeneous porous medium are presented. The results of numerical modeling are compared with experimental data. • The paper considers the imbibition of fluid into a porous medium in microgravity. • The mathematical model that takes into account hysteresis is proposed. • The experimental results for various porous media are described. • The results of numerical modeling are compared with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]