Minimizing total completion time on batch processing machines

We study the problem of minimizing total completion time on single and parallel batch processing machines. A batch processing machine is one which can process up to B jobs simultaneously. The processing time of a batch is equal to the largest processing time among all jobs in the batch. This problem is motivated by burn-in operations in the final testing stage of semiconductor manufacturing and is expected to occur in other production environments. We provide an exact solution procedure for the single-machine problem and heuristic algorithms for both single and parallel machine problems. While the exact algorithms have limited applicability due to high computational requirements, extensive experiments show that the heuristics are capable of consistently obtaining near-optimal solutions in very reasonable CPU times.

Organometallic chemistry of diphosphazanes. Part 7. Platinum(II), palladium-(o), -(I) and -(II) complexes of RN[P(OPh)2]2(R = Me or Ph)

The reactions of [MCl2(cod)](M = Pd or Pt, cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) with RN[P(OPh)2]2[R = Me (L1) or Ph (L2)] afford the chelate complexes [MCl2L1] and [MCl2L2]. The dinuclear palladium(O) complex, [Pd2L13] has been synthesized by starting from [Pd2(dba)3](dba = dibenzylideneacetone). Redox condensation of [Pd2(dba)3] and [PdCl2(PhCN)2] in the presence of the diphosphazane ligands gives the dinuclear palladium(I) complexes [Pd2Cl2L12] and [Pd2Cl2L22]. The structures of the complexes have been deduced from 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopic data. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm the structures of [Pd2L13] and [Pd2Cl2L22].

Phase relations in the systems Cu–O–R2O3(R = Tm, Lu) and Gibbs energies of formation of Cu2R2O5 compounds

The phase relations in the systems Cu–O–R2O3(R = Tm, Lu) have been determined at 1273 K by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and electron probe microanalysis of samples equilibrated in evacuated quartz ampules and in pure oxygen. Only ternary compounds of the type Cu2R2O5 were found to be stable. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of the compounds have been measured using solid-state galvanic cells of the type, Pt|Cu2O + Cu2R2O5+ R2O3‖(Y2O3)ZrO2‖CuO + Cu2O‖Pt in the temperature range 950–1325 K. The standard Gibbs energy changes associated with the formation of Cu2R2O5 compounds from their binary component oxides are: 2CuO(s)+ Tm2O3(s)→Cu2Tm2O5(s), ΔG°=(10400 – 14.0 T/K)± 100 J mol–1, 2CuO(s)+ Lu2O3(s)→Cu2Lu2O5(s), ΔG°=(10210 – 14.4 T/K)± 100 J mol–1 Since the formation is endothermic, the compounds become thermodynamically unstable with respect to component oxides at low temperatures, Cu2Tm2O5 below 743 K and Cu2Lu2O5 below 709 K. When the chemical potential of oxygen over the Cu2R2O5 compounds is lowered, they decompose according to the reaction, 2Cu2R2O5(s)→2R2O3(s)+ 2Cu2O(s)+ O2(g) The equilibrium oxygen potential corresponding to this reaction is obtained from the emf. Oxygen potential diagrams for the Cu–O–R2O3 systems at 1273 K are presented.

Studies on the metabolism of a monoterpene ketone, R-(+)-pulegone-a hepatotoxin in rat: isolation and characterization of new metabolites

1. The metabolic disposition of R-(+)-pulegone (1) was examined in rats following four daily oral doses (250 mg/kg). 2. Six metabolites, namely pulegol (II), 2-hydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-5-methylcyclohexanone (III), 3,6-dimethyl-7a-hydroxy-5,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-2(4H)-benzofuranone (IV), menthofuran (V), 5-methyl-2-(1-methyl-1-carboxyethylidene)cyclohexanone (VI), and 5-methyl-5-hydroxy-2-(1-hydroxy-1-carboxyethyl)cyclohexanone (VII) have previously been isolated from rat urine, and identified (Moorthy et al. (1989a). Eight new metabolites have now been isolated from rat urine, namely, 5-hydroxy-pulegone (VIII), piperitone (IX), piperitenone (X), 7-hydroxy-piperitone (XI), 8-hydroxy piperitone (XII), p-cresol (XIII), geranic acid (XIV) and neronic acid (XV). These were identified by n.m.r., i.r. and mass spectrometry. 3. Based on these results, metabolic pathways for the biotransformation of R-(+)-pulegone in rat have been proposed.

Growth temperature induced effects in non-polar a-plane GaN on r-plane sapphire substrate by RF-MBE

Non-polar a-plane GaN films were grown on an r-plane sapphire substrate by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE). The effect of growth temperature on structural, morphological and optical properties has been studied. The growth of non-polar a-plane (1 1 - 2 0) orientation of the GaN epilayers were confirmed by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) study. The X-ray rocking curve (XRC) full width at half maximum of the (1 1 - 2 0) reflection shows in-plane anisotropic behavior and found to decrease with increase in growth temperature. The atomic force micrograph (AFM) shows island-like growth for the film grown at a lower temperature. Surface roughness has been decreased with increase in growth temperature. Room temperature photoluminescence shows near band edge emission at 3.434-3.442 eV. The film grown at 800 degrees C shows emission at 2.2 eV, which is attributed to yellow luminescence along with near band edge emission. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Numerical Electromagnetic Analysis of Current and Voltage Distribution along Down Conductors and Towers Hit by Direct Lightning

In order to answer the practically important question of whether the down conductors of lightning protection systems to tall towers and buildings can be electrically isolated from the structure itself, this work is conducted. As a first step in this regard, it is presumed that the down conductor placed on metallic tower will be a pessimistic representation of the actual problem. This opinion was based on the fact that the proximity of heavy metallic structure will have a large damping effect. The post-stroke current distributions along the down conductors and towers, which can be quite different from that in the lightning channel, govern the post-stroke near field and the resulting gradient in the soil. Also, for a reliable estimation of the actual stroke current from the measured down conductor currents, it is essential to know the current distribution characteristics along the down conductors. In view of these, the present work attempts to deduce the post-stroke current and voltage distribution along typical down conductors and towers. A solution of the governing field equations on an electromagnetic model of the system is sought for the investigation. Simulation results providing the spatio-temporal distribution of the post-stroke current and voltage has provided very interesting results. It is concluded that it is almost impossible to achieve electrical isolation between the structure and the down conductor. Furthermore, there will be significant induction into the steel matrix of the supporting structure.

The superheating of Pb embedded in a Zn matrix the role of interface melting

Evidence of a shape-dependent superheating of entrained nanosized Pb particles in a Zn matrix has been presented. It is shown that size dependence and pressure effects cannot explain the observed differences in melting points. The importance of crystallography and morphology at the microlevel at the interphase interface in controlling interfacial melting has been emphasized in order to explain the melting of entrained particles.

High-pressure studies on the critical composition in Ge—As—Te glasses

High-pressure resistivity measurements have been performed on G37.5AsxTe92.5-x (x = 20, 40, 45, 50 and 55) and Ge10AsxTe90-x (x = 15, 20, 35, 40, 45 and 50) glasses. The glasses show reversible metallization behaviour under pressure. The pressure derivative of the logarithm of the resistivity of the glasses is a minimum at glass compositions corresponding to the average coordination number [r] = 2.60. This behaviour is interpreted on the basis of the existence of a critical composition in glasses with a layered structure.

Hydrodynamics of R-charged D1-branes

We study the hydrodynamic properties of strongly coupled SU(N) Yang-Mills theory of the D1-brane at finite temperature and at a non-zero density of R-charge in the framework of gauge/gravity duality. The gravity dual description involves a charged black hole solution of an Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton system in 3 dimensions which is obtained by a consistent truncation of the spinning D1-brane in 10 dimensions. We evaluate thermal and electrical conductivity as well as the bulk viscosity as a function of the chemical potential conjugate to the R-charges of the D1-brane. We show that the ratio of bulk viscosity to entropy density is independent of the chemical potential and is equal to 1/4 pi. The thermal conductivity and bulk viscosity obey a relationship similar to the Wiedemann-Franz law. We show that at the boundary of thermodynamic stability, the charge diffusion mode becomes unstable and the transport coefficients exhibit critical behaviour. Our method for evaluating the transport coefficients relies on expressing the second order differential equations in terms of a first order equation which dictates the radial evolution of the transport coefficient. The radial evolution equations can be solved exactly for the transport coefficients of our interest. We observe that transport coefficients of the D1-brane theory are related to that of the M2-brane by an overall proportionality constant which sets the dimensions.

Performability of automated manufacturing systems with centralized material handling

We present a framework for performance evaluation of manufacturing systems subject to failure and repair. In particular, we determine the mean and variance of accumulated production over a specified time frame and show the usefulness of these results in system design and in evaluating operational policies for manufacturing systems. We extend this analysis for lead time as well. A detailed performability study is carried out for the generic model of a manufacturing system with centralized material handling. Several numerical results are presented, and the relevance of performability analysis in resolving system design issues is highlighted. Specific problems addressed include computing the distribution of total production over a shift period, determining the shift length necessary to deliver a given production target with a desired probability, and obtaining the distribution of Manufacturing Lead Time, all in the face of potential subsystem failures.

High-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction study of the pyrochlores: Ho2Ti2O7, Y2Ti2O7 and Tb2Ti2O7

Synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction was used to study the phase diagrams and determine the compressibilities of the pyrochlore rare-earth titanates Ho2Ti2O7, Y2Ti2O7 and Tb2Ti2O7 to 50GPa. The bulk moduli of the cubic phase of these materials were calculated to be 213 +/- 2, 204 +/- 3 and 199 +/- 1GPa, respectively. The onset of a structural phase change from cubic to monoclinic was observed near 37, 42 and 39GPa, respectively. The bulk modulus for the high pressure monoclinic phase of Y2Ti2O7 has been determined to be 185 +/- 3GPa.

Enantioselective synthesis of both (+)- and (-)-derivatives of bicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-8-one and 3,8-diones from R-carvone

Enantioselective synthesis of both the enantiomeric forms of the hydrindane derivatives mentioned in the title, potential chiral precursors in terpenoid synthesis, starling from R-carvone employing two different cyclopentannulation methodologies is described.

Sponge phase transitions from a lattice model

We use Monte Carlo simulations to obtain thermodynamic functions and correlation functions in a lattice model we propose for sponge phases. We demonstrate that the surface-density correlation function dominates the scattering only along the symmetric-sponge (SS) to asymmetric-sponge (AS) phase boundary but not the boundary between the sponge-with-free-edges (SFE) and symmetric-sponge phases. At this second thermodynamic transition the scattering is dominated instead by an edge-density (or seam-density) correlation function. This prediction provides an unambiguous diagnostic for experiments in search of the SS-SFE transition.

Structure of N-nitroso-r-2,c-7-diphenylhexahydro-1,4-diazepin-5-one

C17H17N3O2, M(r) = 295.34, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 7.659 (1), b = 12.741 (1), c = 15.095 (1) angstrom, V = 1473.19 (2) angstrom 3, Z = 4, D(m) = 1.33, D(x) = 1.32 Mg m-3, lambda(Cu K-alpha) = 1.5418 angstrom, mu = 0.68 mm-1, F(000) = 624, T = 295 K, R = 0.031 for 1549 unique observed reflections with I > 2.5-sigma(I). The seven-membered heterocyclic ring adopts a boat conformation flattened at the nitroso end of the ring. The substituent phenyl rings occupy pseudo-axial positions and the nitroso group is coplanar with the C(2), N(1), C(7) plane of the central ring. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular N-H...O and weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds.