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The aim of this paper is to study the dynamic vibrations of embedded double‐walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) subjected to a moving harmonic load with simply supported boundary conditions.

The model of DWCNTs is considered as an Euler‐Bernoulli beam with waviness along the length, which is more accurate than the straight beam in previous works. Based on the nonlocal beam theory, the governing equations of motion are derived by using the Hamilton's principle, and then the separation of variables is carried out by the Galerkin approach, leading to two second‐order ordinary differential equations (ODEs).

The influences of the nonlocal parameter, the amplitude of the waviness, the surrounding elastic medium, the material length scale, load velocity and van der Waals force on the nonlinear vibration of DWCNTs are important.

The dynamic responses of DWCNTs are obtained by using the precise integrator method to ordinary differential equations.

A consistent implementation of the general computational framework of unified second-order time accurate integrators via the well-known GSSSS framework in conjunction with the traditional Finite Difference Method is presented to improve the numerical simulations of reactive two-phase flows.

In the present paper, the phase interaction evaluation in the present implementation of the reactive two-phase flows has been derived and implemented to preserve the consistency of the correct time level evaluation during the time integration process for solving the two phase flow dynamics with reactions.

Numerical examples, including the classical Sod shock tube problem and a reactive two-phase flow problem, are exploited to validate the proposed time integration framework and families of algorithms consistently to second order in time accuracy; this is in contrast to the traditional practices which only seem to obtain first-order time accuracy because of the inconsistent time level implementation with respect to the interaction of two phases. The comparisons with the traditional implementation and the advantages of the proposed implementation are given in terms of the improved numerical accuracy in time. The proposed approaches provide a correct numerical simulation implementation to the reactive two-phase flows and can obtain better numerical stability and computational features.

The new algorithmic framework and the consistent time level evaluation extended with the GS4 family encompasses a multitude of past and new schemes and offers a general purpose and unified implementation for fluid dynamics.

This study proposes targeted modernization of the Department of Defense (DoD's) Joint Forces Ammunition Logistics information system by implementing the optimized innovative information technology open architecture design and integrating Radio Frequency Identification Device data technologies and real-time optimization and control mechanisms as the critical technology components of the solution. The innovative information technology, which pursues the focused logistics, will be deployed in 36 months at the estimated cost of $568 million in constant dollars. We estimate that the Systems, Applications, Products (SAP)-based enterprise integration solution that the Army currently pursues will cost another $1.5 billion through the year 2014; however, it is unlikely to deliver the intended technical capabilities.

To relate how even a smaller manufacturing operation can benefit from the application of robotic methods to manual operations.

A maker of fibreglass automobile body kits called in a robotic systems integrator with 20 years of experience to automate his manual panel trimming operation. In about three months, the system integrator delivered a complete system to meet all application requirements.

The auto body kit maker achieved a 95 percent reduction in trimming time and improved his quality as well.

While this manufacturer achieved dramatic benefits, not all trimming operations might achieve such results.

Key to a successful robot application can depend heavily on the skills and prior experience of the system integrator selected to address the application.

May provide incentive to other smaller fiberglass panel manufacturers to examine potential applications where robotic trimming systems could provide excellent pay back on the investment.

The purpose of this paper is to offer an empirical analysis of contract farming (CF) for poultry in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh in India.

Through a probit equation, the factors that matter to their participation in contracting are evaluated. The estimation of income gains is considered within a treatment effects model. The risk benefits from contracting are estimated by simulating the variability of returns if the contract farmers were to be independent growers.

This paper shows that the poultry integrators in Andhra Pradesh are able to appropriate almost the entire efficiency gains from contracting. Yet, the contract growers are better off with the contract. This outcome is because of grower heterogeneity and the way it is employed in the selection of contract growers. The paper also finds that contract growers do gain substantially in terms of risk reduction.

The CF literature reminds us that these arrangements often fail because of opportunistic behavior. The poultry example shows that contracting is a useful institution when processor interests are closely aligned to that of the grower. This paper describes the circumstances under which this alignment is obtained.

First, it adds to the small and growing body of work that estimates the income gains to contract growers. Second and going beyond existing work on developing countries, this paper also addresses the risk benefits from contracting. Thirdly, this paper estimates the income gains from contracting to the processing firms.

In this study, a new methodology to evaluate the performance of physics simulation engines (PSEs) when used in haptic virtual assembly applications is proposed. This methodology can be used to assess the performance of any physics engine. To prove the feasibility of the proposed methodology, two-third party PSEs – Bullet and PhysXtm – were evaluated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Eight assembly tests comprising variable geometric and dynamic complexity were conducted. The strengths and weaknesses of each simulation engine for haptic virtual assembly were identified by measuring different parameters such as task completion time, influence of weight perception and force feedback.

The proposed tests have led to the development of a standard methodology by which physics engines can be compared and evaluated. The results have shown that when the assembly comprises complex shapes, Bullet has better performance than PhysX. It was also observed that the assembly time is directly affected by the weight of virtual objects.

A more comprehensive study must be carried out in order to evaluate and compare the performance of more PSEs. The influence of collision shape representation algorithms on the performance of haptic assembly must be considered in future analysis.

The performance of PSEs in haptic-enabled VR applications had been remained as an unknown issue. The main parameters of physics engines that affect the haptic virtual assembly process have been identified. All the tests performed in this study were carried out with the haptic rendering loop active and the objects manipulated through the haptic device.

This paper seeks to examine how aerospace design and integration teams in a highly partnered supply chain are able to leverage extant capabilities and develop new ones when faced with the necessity to adapt to organizational change.

Building on the concept of contextual ambidexterity (Gibson and Birkinshaw), this research uses a combination of qualitative material and objective performance data to investigate the working context of five aerospace design and integration teams, their solutions to crisis-triggering events, and their subsequent schedule adherence.

Team members enacted ambidextrous roles similar to those identified by Birkinshaw and Gibson. These behaviors allowed teams to create ambidextrous solutions when faced with crisis. Teams working in a supportive context were found to produce a greater diversity of ambidextrous solutions, which was found to relate to both overall ambidexterity and schedule adherence performance.

Although the results should be interpreted with care, the research answers Raisch and Birkinshaw's call for a more precise definition of organizational ambidexterity as the paper focuses on specific roles played by team members. The findings also point to a potential link between the diversity of ambidextrous behavioral roles and their ability to craft ambidextrous solutions.

Teams that can quickly adapt to challenge through ambidextrous solutions are particularly useful in the context of highly partnered supply chains. Managers should therefore actively promote ambidextrous behaviors to ensure that the search for ambidextrous solutions becomes a conscious and deliberate process.

This paper substantiates the ambidexterity concept by providing concrete examples drawn from highly partnered aerospace supply chains.

MUCH has been written about industrial engineering, especially in regard to American practice, but a good deal of confusion still exists about the whole subject.

The purpose of this paper is to present the method of lines (MOL) solution of the stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) equations (a system of three first-order hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs)), describing the three-wave interaction resulting from a coupling between light and acoustic waves. The system has complex numbers and boundary values.

System of three first-order hyperbolic PDEs are first transformed and then spatially discretized. Superbee flux limiter is proposed to offset numerical damping and dispersion, brought on by the low order approximation of spatial derivatives in the PDEs. In order to increase computational efficiency, the structured structure of the PDE Jacobian matrix is identified and a sparse integration algorithm option of the ordinary differential equation (ODE) solvers is used. The flux limiter based on higher order approximations eliminates numerical oscillation. Examples are presented, and the performance of the Matlab ODE solvers is evaluated by comparison.

This type of solution provides a rapid means of investigating SBS as a tool in fiber optic sensing.

To the best of the authors' knowledge, MOL solution is proposed for the first time for the modeling of three-wave interaction in a SBS-based fiber optic sensor.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive framework to help managers of a business enterprise effectively evaluate candidate RFID solution providers and then select the most suitable one.

The selection of an RFID solution provider is modeled as a new hybrid fuzzy multi‐criteria decision making problem. The proposed decision model is based on integration of Monte Carlo simulation with fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. In addition, an illustrative case is used to exemplify the proposed approach.

A quantitative methodology based on a structured framework, for the selection of the most appropriate RFID solution provider.

This research study is a very useful source of information for managers of a business enterprise in making decisions about evaluation and selection of RFID solution providers or RFID system integrators.

This study addresses the evaluation and selection of RFID solution providers for the managers of a business enterprise and proposes a new hybrid decision‐making methodology for the problem.