On Unconstrained Quasi-Submodular Function Optimization

With the extensive application of submodularity, its generalizations are constantly being proposed. However, most of them are tailored for special problems. In this paper, we focus on quasi-submodularity, a universal generalization, which satisfies weaker properties than submodularity but still enjoys favorable performance in optimization. Similar to the diminishing return property of submodularity, we first define a corresponding property called the {\em single sub-crossing}, then we propose two algorithms for unconstrained quasi-submodular function minimization and maximization, respectively. The proposed algorithms return the reduced lattices in $\mathcal{O}(n)$ iterations, and guarantee the objective function values are strictly monotonically increased or decreased after each iteration. Moreover, any local and global optima are definitely contained in the reduced lattices. Experimental results verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms on lattice reduction.Comment: 11 page

A good quality filing system and its documentation: The right information determined the right knowledge for decision-making

An excellent designed information files and its documentation is vitally an important element to assist the right information reaching the right top management for right decision making.Nevertheless, most functional managements do not realized a good quality files documentation design is actually theirs’ responsibility.They are the experts in designing their respective business functional procedures and modeling.It is inappropriate to rely on IT profession alone when comes to designing of business functional procedures.Mini case studies were adopted to let students have a hands-on trial with the new files’ normalization technique with only four rules as proposed to overcome the conventional entity-relationship diagram approach.Target samples were mainly non-IT students.The result shows this new technique offers few benefits that can speed up learning process, easy to understand, and ease of files’ normalization design for non-IT profession.Without an effective data filing system and its documentation applied by each respective functional manager, certainly a quality and right knowledge cannot be generated to assist company in the right, timely, and economic decision-making

(E)-2-(1,3-Diphenyl­allyl­idene)malononitrile

The title compound, C18H12N2, adopts an E conformation with the benzyl­idenemalononitrile and phenyl groups located on opposite sides of the C=C bond. The two phenyl rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 62.49 (7)°

(2R,3R)-3-(2-Chloro­phen­yl)-N-phenyl­oxirane-2-carboxamide

In the title compound, C15H12ClNO2, the two benzene rings adopt a syn configuration with respect to the ep­oxy ring; the dihedral angles between the ep­oxy ring and the two benzene rings are 59.71 (16) and 67.58 (15)°. There is a weak intra­molecular N—H⋯O bond, which may help to establish the conformation. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked into a chain parallel to the b axis through inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

2-(7-Methyl-3-oxo-1-phenyl­perhydro­naphthalen-4a-yl)malononitrile

In the title compound, C20H22N2O, both cyclo­hexane rings adopt chair conformations. Weak C—H⋯N and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure

(E)-N-Benzyl-2-cyano-3-phenyl­acryl­amide

In the title compound, C17H14N2O, the N-benzyl­formamide and phenyl groups are located on the opposite sides of the C=C bond, showing an E configuration; the terminal phenyl rings are twisted to each other at a dihedral angle of 63.61 (7)°. Inter­molecular classical N—H⋯N and weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds occur in the crystal structure

2-[(E)-1-(4-Meth­oxy­phen­yl)pent-1-en-3-yl­idene]malononitrile

In the title compound, C15H14N2O, the mol­ecule skeleton displays an approximately planar structure except for the ethyl group [maximum deviation = 0.042 (1) Å]. The meth­oxy­phenyl ring and butanylidenemalononitrile groups are located on opposite sides of the C=C bond, showing an E configuration. Weak inter­molecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure

A Model for Selecting Technologies in New Product Development

Due to fast changing technologies, shortening product lifecycles, and increased global competition, companies today often need to develop new products continuously and faster. Successful introduction and acceleration of new product development (NPD) is important to obtain competitive advantage for companies. Since technology selection for NPD involves complex decision makings that are critical to the profitability and growth of a company, the selection of the most appropriate technology for a new product requires the use of a robust decision-making framework capable of evaluating several technology candidates based on multiple criteria. This paper presents an integrated model that adopts interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and fuzzy analytic network process (FANP) to evaluate various different available technologies for NPD. The ISM is used to understand the interrelationships among the factors, and the FANP is to facilitate the evaluation process of decision makers under an uncertain environment with interrelated factors. A case study of a flat panel manufacturer is performed to examine the practicality of the proposed model. The results show that the model can be applied for group decision making on the available technology evaluation and selection in new product development

Resuspension and Transport of Fine Sediments by Waves

Although waves are the primary cause of sediment resuspension in the nearshore zone, in existing theoretical models, long-scale currents induced by the mean wind are often taken to be the only agent for the diffusion and convection of resuspended sediments. We present here theoretical examples where waves play a direct role in all aspects of sediment transport. Details are given for the simple case where only waves are present; the wave-induced current and diffusivity are shown to be no less important than similar factors in the wind-driven current. Hence, in a comprehensive model, one should include not only the current forced directly by the mean wind, but also the current forced by waves which may or m•y not be forced by the local wind