Function allocation theory for creative design

Function structure influences on systems architecture (or product architecture). This paper discusses a design method for creative design solutions that focuses on the allocation of functions. It first proposes a theory called “Function Allocation Theory” to allocate a function to an appropriate subsystem or component during the systems decomposition phase. By doing so, the complexity of design solutions can be reduced. The theory is applied to some examples including collaborative robots and robotics maintenance. Finally, the paper illustrates a case study of designing a reaction-free fastening system using this theory

Capturing, classification and concept generation for automated maintenance tasks

Maintenance is an efficient and cost effective way to keep the function of the product available during the product lifecycle. Automating maintenance may drive down costs and improve performance time; however capturing the necessary information required to perform certain maintenance tasks and later building automated platforms to undertake them is very difficult. This paper looks at the creation of a novel methodology tasked with firstly the capture and classification of maintenance tasks and finally conceptual design of platforms for automating maintenance

Double piling structure of matrix monotone functions and of matrix convex functions II

We continue the analysis in [H. Osaka and J. Tomiyama, Double piling structure of matrix monotone functions and of matrix convex functions, Linear and its Applications 431(2009), 1825 - 1832] in which the followings three assertions at each label $n$ are discussed: (1)$f(0) \leq 0$ and $f$ is $n$-convex in $[0, \alpha)$. (2)For each matrix $a$ with its spectrum in $[0, \alpha)$ and a contraction $c$ in the matrix algebra $M_n$, $f(c^*ac) \leq c^*f(a)c$. (3)The function $f(t)/t$ $(= g(t))$ is $n$-monotone in $(0, \alpha)$. We know that two conditions $(2)$ and $(3)$ are equivalent and if $f$ with $f(0) \leq 0$ is $n$-convex, then $g$ is $(n -1)$-monotone. In this note we consider several extra conditions on $g$ to conclude that the implication from $(3)$ to $(1)$ is true. In particular, we study a class $Q_n([0, \alpha))$ of functions with conditional positive Lowner matrix which contains the class of matrix $n$-monotone functions and show that if $f \in Q_{n+1}([0, \alpha))$ with $f(0) = 0$ and $g$ is $n$-monotone, then $f$ is $n$-convex. We also discuss about the local property of $n$-convexity.Comment: 13page

Do Firms Benefit from Multiple Banking Relationships?: Evidence from Small and Medium-Sized Firms in Japan

This paper examines empirically the effects of multiple banking relationships on the cost and availability of credit. The analysis is based on an unbalanced panel data set for Japanese small and medium-sized firms over the period 2000-2002. The Hausman-Taylor estimator is used to allow for possible correlation between unobservable heterogeneity among firms and multiple banking relationships. The results suggest that the cost of credit is positively correlated with the number of banking relationships when the endogeneity of the banking relationships is considered. Multiple banking relationships have a positive effect on the availability of credit for financially constrained firms.

Noncommutative spectral synthesis for the involutive Banach algebra associated with a topological dynamical system

If X is a compact Hausdorff space, supplied with a homeomorphism, then a crossed product involutive Banach algebra is naturally associated with these data. If X consists of one point, then this algebra is the group algebra of the integers. In this paper, we study spectral synthesis for the closed ideals of this associated algebra in two versions, one modeled after C(X), and one modeled after the group algebra of the integers. We identify the closed ideals which are equal to (what is the analogue of) the kernel of their hull, and determine when this holds for all closed ideals, i.e., when spectral synthesis holds. In both models, this is the case precisely when the homeomorphism has no periodic points.Comment: 28 page

Identification of inelastic parameters of the 304 stainless steel using multi-objective techniques

This work addresses identification of inelastic parameters based on an optimization method using a multi-objective technique. The problem consists in determining the best set of parameters which approximate three different tensile tests. The tensile tests use cylindrical specimens of different dimensions manufactured according to the American ASTM E 8M and Brazilian ABNT NBR ISO 6892 technical standards. A tensile load is applied up to macroscopic failure. The objective functions for each tensile test/specimen is computed and a global error measure is determined within the optimization scheme. The Nelder-Mead simplex algorithm is used as the optimization tool. The proposed identification strategy was able to determine the best set of material parameters which approximate all tensile tests up to macroscopic failure

Algebraically irreducible representations and structure space of the Banach algebra associated with a topological dynamical system

If $X$ is a compact Hausdorff space and $\sigma$ is a homeomorphism of $X$, then a Banach algebra $\ell^1(\Sigma)$ of crossed product type is naturally associated with this topological dynamical system $\Sigma=(X,\sigma)$. If $X$ consists of one point, then $\ell^1(\Sigma)$ is the group algebra of the integers. We study the algebraically irreducible representations of $\ell^1(\Sigma)$ on complex vector spaces, its primitive ideals and its structure space. The finite dimensional algebraically irreducible representations are determined up to algebraic equivalence, and a sufficiently rich family of infinite dimensional algebraically irreducible representations is constructed to be able to conclude that $\ell^1(\Sigma)$ is semisimple. All primitive ideals of $\ell^1(\Sigma)$ are selfadjoint, and $\ell^1(\Sigma)$ is Hermitian if there are only periodic points in $X$. If $X$ is metrisable or all points are periodic, then all primitive ideals arise as in our construction. A part of the structure space of $\ell^1(\Sigma)$ is conditionally shown to be homeomorphic to the product of a space of finite orbits and $\mathbb T$. If $X$ is a finite set, then the structure space is the topological disjoint union of a number of tori, one for each orbit in $X$. If all points of $X$ have the same finite period, then it is the product of the orbit space $X/\mathbb Z$ and $\mathbb T$. For rational rotations of $\mathbb T$, this implies that the structure space is homeomorphic to $\mathbb T^2$.Comment: 32 pages. Editorial improvements from the first version, and a few remarks added. Final version, to appear in Advances in Mathematic