Partner selection in agile supply chains: A fuzzy intelligent approach

Partner selection is a fundamental issue in supply chain management as it contributes significantly to overall supply chain performance. However, such decision-making is problematic due to the need to consider both tangible and intangible factors, which cause vagueness, ambiguity and complexity. This paper proposes a new fuzzy intelligent approach for partner selection in agile supply chains by using fuzzy set theory in combination with radial basis function artificial neural network. Using these two approaches in combination enables the model to classify potential partners in the qualification phase of partner selection efficiently and effectively using very large amounts of both qualitative and quantitative data. The paper includes a worked empirical application of the model with data from 84 representative companies within the Chinese electrical components and equipment industry, to demonstrate its suitability for helping organisational decision-makers in partner selection

Extending the first-order post-Newtonian scheme in multiple systems to the second-order contributions to light propagation

In this paper, we extend the first-order post-Newtonian scheme in multiple systems presented by Damour-Soffel-Xu to the second-order contribution to light propagation without changing the virtueof the scheme on the linear partial differential equations of the potential and vector potential. The spatial components of the metric are extended to second order level both in a global coordinates ($q_{ij}/ c^4$) and a local coordinates ($Q_{ab}/ c^4$). The equations of $q_{ij}$ (or $Q_{ab}$) are obtained from the field equations.The relationship between $q_{ij}$ and $Q_{ab}$ are presented in this paper also. In special case of the solar system (isotropic condition is applied ($q_{ij} = \delta_{ij} q$)), we obtain the solution of $q$. Finally, a further extension of the second-order contributions in the parametrized post-Newtonian formalism is discussed.Comment: Latex2e; 6 pages PS fil

A random quantum key distribution by using Bell states

We proposed a new scheme for quantum key distribution based on entanglement swapping. By this protocol \QTR{em}{Alice} can securely share a random quantum key with \QTR{em}{Bob}, without transporting any particle.Comment: Accepted by J. Opt. B: Quantum Semiclass. Op

Effects of the littlest Higgs model with T-parity on Higgs boson production at high energy e+e−e^{+}e^{-} colliders

The Higgs boson production processes $e^{+}e^{-}\to ZH$, $e^{+}e^{-}\to \bar{\nu_{e}}\nu_{e}H$, and $e^{+}e^{-}\to t\bar{t}H$ are very important for studying Higgs boson properties and further testing new physics beyond the standard model($SM$) in the high energy linear $e^{+}e^{-}$ collider($ILC$). We estimate the contributions of the littlest Higgs model with T-parity($LHT$ model) to these processes and find that the $LHT$ model can generate significantly corrections to the production cross sections of these processes. We expect the possible signals of the $LHT$ model can be detected via these processes in the future $ILC$ experiments.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, references adde

Demonstration of Adiabatic Variational Quantum Computing with a Superconducting Quantum Coprocessor

Adiabatic quantum computing enables the preparation of many-body ground states. This is key for applications in chemistry, materials science, and beyond. Realisation poses major experimental challenges: Direct analog implementation requires complex Hamiltonian engineering, while the digitised version needs deep quantum gate circuits. To bypass these obstacles, we suggest an adiabatic variational hybrid algorithm, which employs short quantum circuits and provides a systematic quantum adiabatic optimisation of the circuit parameters. The quantum adiabatic theorem promises not only the ground state but also that the excited eigenstates can be found. We report the first experimental demonstration that many-body eigenstates can be efficiently prepared by an adiabatic variational algorithm assisted with a multi-qubit superconducting coprocessor. We track the real-time evolution of the ground and exited states of transverse-field Ising spins with a fidelity up that can reach about 99%.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Lepton flavor violation two-body decays of quarkoniums

In this paper we firstly study various model-independent bounds on lepton flavor violation (LFV) in processes of $J/\Psi$, $\Psi'$ and $\Upsilon$ two-body decays, then calculate their branch ratios % By using the constraints from other ways, we obtain %the indirect bounds of ${\rm Br} (J/\Psi,\Psi',\Upsilon \to ll')$ in models of the leptoquark, $R$ violating MSSM and topcolor assisted technicolor(TC2) models.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PR

Degenerate Rotating Black Holes, Chiral CFTs and Fermi Surfaces I - Analytic Results for Quasinormal Modes

In this work we discuss charged rotating black holes in $AdS_5 \times S^5$ that degenerate to extremal black holes with zero entropy. These black holes have scaling properties between charge and angular momentum similar to those of Fermi surface operators in a subsector of $\mathcal{N}=4$ SYM. We add a massless uncharged scalar to the five dimensional supergravity theory, such that it still forms a consistent truncation of the type IIB ten dimensional supergravity and analyze its quasinormal modes. Separating the equation of motion to a radial and angular part, we proceed to solve the radial equation using the asymptotic matching expansion method applied to a Heun equation with two nearby singularities. We use the continued fraction method for the angular Heun equation and obtain numerical results for the quasinormal modes. In the case of the supersymmetric black hole we present some analytic results for the decay rates of the scalar perturbations. The spectrum of quasinormal modes obtained is similar to that of a chiral 1+1 CFT, which is consistent with the conjectured field-theoretic dual. In addition, some of the modes can be found analytically.Comment: 41 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX; v2: typos corrected, references adde

A techno-economical and automotive emissions impact study of global biodiesel usage in diesel engines

In recent years, biodiesel has arrived at the forefront, as a mainstream alternative energy, due to its advantages properties such as renewability, compatibility with existing automotive infrastructures and diesel engines, cleaner emissions. Many studies have been conducted to improve the maturity of biodiesel production technology, and fuel application. However, the global-scale economical and emissions impacts of first generation biodiesel is still not being adequately addressed. This requires immediate attention as the current economical setback for biodiesel is affected by low crude oil price. In this study, the correlations between the biodiesel production feasibility, crude oil price, and feedstock availability are defined. By using a data-driven predictive model, insights can be drawn for the worldwide profitability, potential level of diesel replacement using biodiesel, and environmental impact. The model allows prediction to be done on potential biodiesel production at a country-region level, at different crude oil prices and fuel blending ratios. It was also predicted that up to 9% of total global diesel consumption could be replaced by profitable biodiesel, if crude oil price rises up to USD 135 per barrel and factoring in refinery cost of USD 0.05 per litre. Countries near the equatorial belt with abundance palm oil feedstock such as Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia could potentially augment their gross domestic products by 10.36%, 7.67% and 5.57%, respectively. If all non-domestic usage feedstock is converted into biodiesel for automotive usage, there will be conclusive reduction of engine-out emissions such as unburnt hydrocarbons and particulate matter. Ultimately, this model proves that there is high potential for mass adoption of biodiesel to supplant fossil diesel globally, allowing the generation of income, improving energy security and produces cleaner automotive emissions

Regulatory T Cells: Potential Target in Anticancer Immunotherapy

SummaryThe concept of regulatory T cells was first described in the early 1970s, and regulatory T cells were called suppressive T cells at that time. Studies that followed have demonstrated that these suppressive T cells negatively regulated tumor immunity and contributed to tumor growth in mice. Despite the importance of these studies, there was extensive skepticism about the existence of these cells, and the concept of suppressive T cells left the center stage of immunologic research for decades. Interleukin-2 receptor α-chain, CD25, was first demonstrated in 1995 to serve as a phenotypic marker for CD4+ regulatory cells. Henceforth, research of regulatory T cells boomed. Regulatory T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer, autoimmune disease, transplantation immunology, and immune tolerance in pregnancy. Recent evidence has demonstrated that regulatory T cellmediated immunosuppression is one of the crucial tumor immune evasion mechanisms and the main obstacle of successful cancer immunotherapy. The mechanism and the potential clinical application of regulatory T cells in cancer immunotherapy are discussed

Design of agile supply chains including analysing the trade-off between number of partners and reliability

The reliability of supply partners is particularly vital in agile supply chains as it is vulnerable to the inability of a supply partner to meet its high responsiveness and flexibility requirements resulting in the disruption of the whole network. Disruption can have expensive and extensive results for the entire agile supply chain. To mitigate the risk of disruption and improve the reliability of the whole agile supply chain, decision-makers need to pay more attention to supply chain design and construction, whilst simultaneously taking into account the sourcing strategy decisions. This paper proposes a series of models for the design of agile supply chains using dynamic programming modelling. These provide decision-makers with a systematic way of analysing one of the key decisions of sourcing strategy, namely the trade-off between the number of supply partners and reliability. The efficacy of the models is demonstrated through their application to a Chinese bus and coach manufacturer by way of an empirical illustration. The results show that this approach is effective for this application and it can be applied in other related decision-making scenarios. The methods offered in this paper provide managers with a practical tool to design their agile supply chains while considering the trade-offs between the number of partners and the reliability of the entire agile supply chain