Balanced Configuration Research Articles

Disturbance in Multitier Supply Chain Under Competition

Disturbances in production along with volatile demand have raised concerns over shortfalls in the global supply chain and prompted the need to build a more diversified supply chain with competitive suppliers. This research investigates the impact of disturbances on a two-tier supply chain network with asymmetric competing firms. We establish the equilibrium in a unique structure that represents the maximum set of profitable upstream supply paths achievable through competition and exhibits stability under specific conditions. We evaluate the efficiency of the supply chain configuration by a shortfall problem and solve it with an adapted pseudoflow algorithm that efficiently identifies the mismatches between shortfalls and capacity surpluses in the multitier network. The parametric analysis reveals that the disturbance loss can be significantly offset by supplier competition, although the marginal benefit of competition decreases rapidly with the number of suppliers. Furthermore, shortfalls could be magnified by network asymmetries that increase configuration inefficiency, and supply chain performance could be improved by pushing high-cost firms to cease production. Simulation results indicate that the supply chain with a moderate level of competition and a balanced configuration can be robust against disturbance and demand volatility.

Efficiency-centered vs novelty-centered: unpacking the impact of business model design on services in manufacturing firms

PurposeHow does business model design play a role in enabling manufacturing firms’ services? This study aims to investigate the impact of two distinct types of business model design, namely, efficiency-centered business model design (EBMD) and novelty-centered business model design (NBMD), and their effects in balanced and imbalanced configurations, on two types of services: product- and customer-oriented services.Design/methodology/approachUsing matched survey data of 390 top managers and objective performance data of 195 Chinese manufacturing firms, this study uses hierarchical regression, polynomial regression and response surface analysis to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that while EBMD positively affects product-oriented services, NBMD positively affects customer-oriented services. Both types of services exert a significant influence on firm performance. Furthermore, the degree of product- and customer-oriented services increases with an increasing effort level with a balance between EBMD and NBMD. Asymmetrical, imbalanced configuration effects reveal that the degree of product-oriented services is higher when the EBMD effort exceeds the NBMD effort, and the degree of customer-oriented services is higher when the NBMD effort exceeds the EBMD effort.Originality/valueThis study enriches the understanding of designing business models to facilitate service growth in manufacturing firms, ultimately benefiting firm performance. In addition, exploring balanced and imbalanced configurations of EBMD and NBMD offers new insights into business model dual design research.

The catalytic effect of organizational learning on ambidexterity for firm performance

Purpose This study investigates the impact of organizational ambidexterity on employee performance within Jordanian clearance companies, focusing on the mediating role of organizational learning. This research aims to explore how the dimensions of exploration and exploitation influence performance outcomes, including effectiveness and growth. Design/methodology/approach Using analytical descriptive research, this study uses SMART-PLS 4 for hypothesis testing and mediation analysis. A meticulously developed questionnaire, grounded in scholarly literature and vetted by experts, was distributed to 230 employees across the Jordanian clearance industry, achieving a 91.3% response rate. Findings This study found that companies do better when they effectively explore and exploit, especially if they also focus on learning and adapting. This insight is particularly useful for those in the human resource development and management fields who aim to boost employee performance and, ultimately, the success of their organizations. The findings reveal a significant indirect effect of organizational ambidexterity on performance through organizational learning. Ambidexterity explained 55.6% of the variance in organizational learning, and subsequently, organizational learning accounted for 47.4% of performance variance. The total performance variance was 81.8%, indicating a strong relationship between the constructs. Research limitations/implications This study’s scope is limited to the Jordanian clearance industry, suggesting the need for further research across different contexts and industries. The reliance on self-reported data may introduce bias, warranting future use of mixed methods for a more comprehensive understanding. Practical implications The findings underscore the importance of fostering organizational learning as a mediator between ambidexterity and performance. Companies should invest in strategies that enhance both exploratory and exploitative activities, leveraging organizational learning to improve performance outcomes. Social implications By highlighting the role of organizational learning in mediating the relationship between ambidexterity and performance, this research suggests pathways for businesses to contribute to economic growth and employee development within the Jordanian context and potentially beyond. Originality/value This study contributes to the field by examining the underexplored context of the Jordanian customs clearance industry and using a robust methodological framework to assess the relationship between organizational ambidexterity, learning and performance. It provides empirical evidence supporting the significant impact of balanced competency configurations on performance outcomes.

Accelerating Convolutional Processing by Harnessing Channel Shifts in Arrayed Waveguide Gratings

AbstractConvolutional neural networks are a powerful category of artificial neural networks that can extract features from raw data to provide greatly reduced parametric complexity and enhance pattern recognition and the accuracy of prediction. Optical neural networks offer the promise of dramatically accelerating computing speed while maintaining low power consumption even when using high‐speed data streams running at hundreds of gigabit/s. Here, we propose an optical convolutional processor (CP) that leverages the spectral response of an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) to enhance convolution speed by eliminating the need for repetitive element‐wise multiplication. Our design features a balanced AWG configuration, enabling both positive and negative weightings essential for convolutional kernels. A proof‐of‐concept demonstration of an 8‐bit resolution processor is experimentally implemented using a pair of AWGs with a broadband Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) designed to achieve uniform weighting across the whole spectrum. Experimental results demonstrate the CP's effectiveness in edge detection and achieved 96% accuracy in a convolutional neural network for MNIST recognition. This approach can be extended to other common operations, such as pooling and deconvolution in Generative Adversarial Networks. It is also scalable to more complex networks, making it suitable for applications like autonomous vehicles and real‐time video recognition.

Mechanics equilibrium in Tai-chi diagram

Tai chi culture has a widespread influence on the world. Tai-chi diagrams, as the symbol of Tai chi culture, express the balance between Yin and Yang through the centrosymmetric pattern, but the balance connotation of Tai-chi diagrams needs a comprehensive understanding in more aspects, e.g., the balance in mechanics. In this work, we propose a mechanics theory to investigate the intrinsic mechanism of Yin–Yang equilibrium in ancient and modern Tai-chi diagrams. The model based on the minimum potential energy theory can effectively describe the interface curves of the Yin–Yang equilibrium by modifying boundary conditions, which is proven by experiments. The results show that the balance of Tai-chi diagrams is not only manifested in its symmetrical appearance but also reflected in its intrinsic balance configuration in mechanics. The model presented herein provides a new perspective to understand the balance of Tai-chi diagrams, which may provide useful insights into the applications of Tai-chi diagrams.

Effect of magnetic field configuration on double layer formation and reverse discharge ignition in bipolar HiPIMS

The reverse discharge (RD) phenomenon in bipolar HiPIMS has been observed when a sufficiently long positive pulse is applied to the magnetron. Due to the magnetic field, electrons accumulated behind the magnetic trap are prevented from reaching the positive target. Consequently, a space charge double layer (DL) is formed between the positive target and the plasma behind the magnetic trap, leading to electron acceleration across the DL and RD ignition. This study reveals the significant impact of the magnetic field configuration on RD ignition. Experiments are performed using a Ti target involving magnetic field variation, wire probe measurements of floating potential, and optical emission spectroscopy imaging. It is found that adjusting the magnetic field to a more balanced configuration leads to earlier RD ignition, while a more unbalanced one delays or even prevents it. Specifically, the time of RD ignition decreases with an increase in the magnetic null point distance from the target. Moreover, the size and shape of optical emission in the RD varies with nearby probe placement, suggesting sensitivity to external electrodes.

Manufacturing sensitivity study of tensegrity structures using Monte Carlo simulations

The successful construction of a tensegrity structure requires not only design techniques but also a means to account for any manufacturing or assembly errors. As a tensegrity is prestressed and is often stabilised by its prestress, it requires a form-finding technique to determine the balanced configuration in the design phase; this property also makes it challenging for engineers to evaluate the effect of manufacturing imperfections on the self-equilibrated configuration. In this paper we investigate the sensitivity of tensegrity structures to manufacturing imperfections, using a stiffness-matrix-based form-finding technique in combination with the Monte Carlo simulation method to introduce manufacturing length errors. The effects at the structural level are captured, and two general relationships between the variance of the input manufacturing error and the output distribution of the member tensions, between the variance and the mean across all groups, are observed. By identifying the most sensitive member group, this work provides a design and analysis strategy when the natural length errors of members are considered for tensegrity structures.

Design of smart magnetic thin-sheet structure based wireless sensors-array arrangement for intraoral-pressure sensing approach

During orthodontic treatments, orthodontists want to simultaneously measure different kinds of intraoral pressure of a patient to determine a suitable orthodontic treatment plan for the patient. To achieve this, an intraoral pressure sensors-array with a specific arrangement in the oral cavity is needed. Hence, in this paper, we design a smart magnetic thin-sheet structure based wireless sensors-array arrangement for intraoral-pressure sensing for orthodontics to determine the above suitable treatment plan. In general, the sensors-array consists of multiple sensing modules. Each module consists of two parts: the first part is a transmitting/receiving electromagnet which is connected to a reference electromagnet in a balanced inductance bridge configuration while the second part is a smart magnetic thin-sheet structure based high-permeable sensing diaphragm. A voltage input is applied to the reference electromagnet and transmitting/receiving electromagnet, while the voltage output is measured from the transmitting/receiving electromagnet, respectively (the transmitting/receiving electromagnet can transmit the magnetic flux as well as receive or sense the change of magnetic flux). When the sensing diaphragm (which is placed in proximity to the transmitting/receiving electromagnet) undergoes a displacement, the gap between the sensing diaphragm and transmitting/receiving electromagnet changes. This subsequently changes surrounding magnetic flux, and consequently results in a change in magnetic reluctance between the sensing diaphragm and transmitting/receiving electromagnet. Thus, the voltage output of the transmitting/receiving electromagnet is changed accordingly. Based on this operation principle, furthermore, we use multiple transmitting/receiving electromagnets to form a compact (specifically arranged) sensors-array. The results show that specifically arranged sensors-array can provide measurement results in multiple points in the oral cavity to the orthodontists, as a simplified decision-making reference for the orthodontists to determine the clinical treatment plan for patients.

A 315–345 GHz quad‐port balanced tripler with inherent suppressions on even‐order harmonics using discrete Schottky diodes

AbstractA high‐efficiency frequency tripler operating up to 330 GHz is developed based on a novel quad‐port balanced configuration. The proposed circuit could inhibit the even‐order harmonics with great idler loops, leaving out the lossy capacitors required in conventional triplers. Meanwhile, this topology employs two pairs of discrete Schottky diodes, which could increase the power‐handling capability by a factor of 2. In this way, a 330 GHz balanced tripler is implemented with four discrete Schottky diodes mounted on a 30‐μm‐thick quartz substrate. At room temperature, the implemented tripler module features a peak output power of 41.1 mW (@321.4 GHz) and a peak efficiency of 12.4%.

Experimental assessment of the eigenstress state in two-ply yarns and its effect on tensile properties

Propaedeutical to a better understanding of the mechanics of cables, with potential applications in material science and biology, tensile tests were performed on two-ply yarns made of rubber rods, manufactured by transforming the twist on two adjacent straight rods into tortuosity for the resulting double-helix shape. Modeling of the yarn as a pair of Kirchhoff rods in reciprocal contact, fails to provide results in agreement with experiments, especially when the helix slope angle α tends to π/4, representing the geometric limit for material interpenetration. This discrepancy could not be justified by considering the viscosity of the rods, their cross-sectional distortion, or cohesive/frictional contact. Our contribution starts from the experimental observation that the rods are in an eigenstress state already in the reference balanced configuration. This is characterized by a high twist, dictated by the ratio between torsional and bending rod stiffness, which increases as α decreases, growing unboundedly as α→π/4. Experiments confirm that twisting can significantly increase the tensile stiffness of straight rubber rods, in agreement with non-linear elasticity theory. Tensile tests on the yarns can be reproduced excellently only if the twist-induced stiffening is considered.

Multi-objective optimization research of open and closed air brayton cycle

Air Brayton cycle obtains the significant advantages of high efficiency, compact structure, easy medium requirement and so on, which is one of the most suitable choices for the mobile nuclear power conversion system. In this paper, system-component combined design method is used to establish the open and closed air Brayton cycle of diverse configurations. Based on performance and compactness targets, the multi-objective optimization is carried out to find the optimal design by nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II and entropy weight method. According to the analysis, the closed intercooling reheating recuperating cycle is the configuration with the best comprehensive performance, with cycle efficiency of 33.58 %, power density of 175.39 kW m−3 and power mass ratio of 68.60 kW t−1. The open simple recuperating cycle is the configuration with the smallest volume and mass, with cycle efficiency of 20.01 %, system volume of 6.56 m3 and system mass of 19.98 t. The closed intercooling recuperating cycle is the most balanced configuration, with cycle efficiency of 31.33 %, volume of 9.06 m3 and system mass of 24.97 t. Based on the optimal results, off-design performance analysis of different environmental conditions is also carried out for the configurations above.

Linear Anti-interference Algorithm for Digital Signal Transmission in Fiber Optic Communication Networks based on Link Analysis

In order to achieve accurate transmission of protection signals in fiber optic communication networks, it is necessary to perform channel balancing configuration of fiber optic communication networks and adaptive forwarding control processing of relay protection signals, the author proposes an accurate transmission method for relay protection signals in fiber optic communication networks based on time-varying multipath fading suppression and adaptive beamforming. The system analyzes the sources of wireless long-distance pain signal interference signals, introduces anti-interference technologies such as two-dimensional joint processing (STAP), provides anti-interference algorithms and related gain analysis, and conducts signal processing gain simulation using MATLAB. Based on the analysis of comprehensive simulation results, at a given symbol length, the signal bandwidth increases, and the processing gain infinitely approaches the given theoretical limit value, rather than increasing nonlinearly. The reason is that the channel is affected by noise, and the channel estimation value and signal conjugate multiplication produce a noise quadratic term. At this point, the estimated value of the coherent region channel is reduced by the influence of noise, and the signal-to-noise ratio loss caused by the noise quadratic term is reduced, so the processing gain increases. During the process of infinite increase in signal bandwidth, the input signal-to-noise power ratio of the receiver tends to decrease towards an infinite value, limited by the size of the coherent region. The channel estimation value increases under the influence of noise, and the noise quadratic term is the main factor affecting the output noise power. When the symbol length is greater than the coherent time, the smaller the maximum Doppler frequency shift and the larger the coherent detection area, the greater the processing gain.

Impact and notched strength of multiaxially reinforced out of die UV cured pultruded profiles

AbstractThe present paper highlights the benefits of multiaxially reinforced profiles manufactured by out of die ultraviolet (UV) cured pultrusion. Thanks to the low pulling forces inherent to this technology, we could manufacture a quasi‐isotropic laminate with high fiber content (62% in volume). Even if just one fifth of the reinforcement was arranged longitudinally, the fiber orientation at the ±45° and 90° layers was not distorted. The in‐plane properties of this new balanced reinforcement configuration improved the impact and notched resistance compared to a reference configuration typical of conventional pultrusion, consisting of roving and continuous strand mats. Additionally, the tensile strength achieved in the transversal direction for the new configuration was an order of magnitude higher. Therefore, this novel technology has the potential to broaden the applications targeted by pultrusion to those where multiaxial load cases could be encountered.Highlights Multiaxially reinforced profiles were made by out of die UV cured pultrusion. These profiles presented enhanced in‐plane properties. Impact resistance was better than that of a typical reinforcement configuration. Notched tensile strength was also improved in both principal directions.

Comprehensive evaluation of multi-scale elderly care service facilities under the orientation of urban renewal: A case study of Qingdao downtown area

As Qingdao entered into the stage of aging society, the issue of spatial configuration’s mismatch and imbalance between supply and demand of elderly care service facilities is becoming more outstanding at this stage. This study takes urban renewal as the guide, obtains Point of Interest (POI) data through the Gaode Map, and constructs a multi-scale (district and street scales) comprehensive evaluation model of institutional elderly care service facilities and home-based community elderly care service facilities in Qingdao’s downtown area based on the three dimensions of efficiency, equity, and accessibility. Based on the district scale, the spatial configuration shows good status in Shibei District and Shinan District, average status in Laoshan District and Licang District, and bad status in Chengyang District and Huangdao District. Based on the street scale, 54.69% of streets have achieved a high comprehensive evaluation of institutional elderly care service facilities, 21.87% have reached the average, and 23.44% have had a low. Some institutional elderly care service facilities are in strong need of being newly constructed or reconstructed. Similarly, the comprehensive evaluation of home-based community elderly care service facilities also varies among all counted streets. In some streets, there are even no home-based community elderly care service facilities. Finally, according to the comprehensive evaluation results, the streets are respectively classified as the areas of quality optimization, the areas of quality improvement, and the areas of inadequate supplement, aiming to provide some references on the balanced configuration and the planning of elderly care service facilities

Experimental and numerical study on the load-bearing capacity, ductility and energy absorption of RC shear walls with opening containing zeolite and silica fume

This article originates from an experimental program and nonlinear finite element analysis aimed at examining how pozzolanic concrete influences the behavior of RC shear walls with openings. To achieve this, stress-strain diagrams, and the elastic modulus of 33 cylindrical concrete specimens, each containing varying percentages of silica fume and zeolite (ranging from 0% to 25%), were evaluated. The impact of silica fume and zeolite pozzolans on the ductility and load-bearing capacity of RC shear walls with openings was explored. This was done by analyzing the mechanical properties of the specimens and integrating them into the analytical model. Subsequently, a shear wall with conventional concrete was simulated using the finite element method (FEM). The study delved into the effects of substituting the initial concrete with pozzolanic concrete within the shear wall. Additionally, it investigated the simultaneous reduction in the diameter of the reinforcing bars employed, all in the pursuit of attaining the optimal design for these walls. The findings demonstrated that employing pozzolanic concrete in shear walls, coupled with a balanced configuration of rebar, led to heightened ductility, improved energy absorption, and an enhanced load-bearing capacity for the walls.

Zoning strategies for human–robot collaborative picking

AbstractDuring the last decade, several retailers have started to combine traditional store deliveries with the fulfillment of online sales to consumers from omni‐channel warehouses, which are increasingly being automated. A popular option is to use autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in collaboration with human pickers. In this approach, the pickers' unproductive walking time can be reduced even further by zoning the storage system, where the pickers stay within their zone periphery and robots transport order totes between the zones. However, the robotic systems' optimal zoning strategy is unclear: few zones are particularly good for large store orders, while many zones are particularly good for small online orders. We study the effect of no zoning (NZ) and progressive zoning strategies on throughput capacity for balanced zone configurations with both fixed and dynamic order profiles. We first develop queuing network models to estimate pick throughput capacity that correspond to a given number of AMRs and picking with a fixed number of zones. We demonstrate that the throughput capacity is dependent on the chosen zoning strategy. However, the magnitude of the gains achieved is influenced by the size of the orders being processed. We also show that using a dynamic switching strategy has little effect on throughput performance. In contrast, a fixed switching strategy benefiting from changes in the order profile has the potential to increase throughput performance by 17% compared to the NZ strategy, albeit at a higher robot cost.

Adaptive heading control strategy for unmanned ground vehicle with variable wheelbase based on robust-active disturbance rejection control

In order to fully exploit the variable wheelbase characteristics of the unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with variable configuration, this paper proposes an adaptive heading tracking control strategy based on wheelbase changes. This strategy involves adjusting the wheelbase according to different working conditions to optimize various driving performance aspects. Firstly, the impact of changing wheelbase on the response characteristics of sideslip angle and heading angle relative to the front-wheel steering angle is analyzed by using a lateral vehicle dynamic model. The configurations where the 2nd axle moves forward by 0.5 m, remains unchanged, and moves backward by 0.5 m are defined as the ‘stable configuration’, ‘balanced configuration’, and ‘maneuverable configuration’, respectively. Considering time lag effects of hydraulic systems and external random noise interference, a robust-active disturbance rejection control (r-ADRC) method is developed by incorporating a robust term into active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) in order to achieve desired front-wheel steering angle. Additionally, a torque distribution method based on the tire load rate and the real-time vertical load of each wheel is applied to ensure uniform tire wear and enhance longitudinal driving stability. Finally, simulations under various typical working conditions as well as scaled prototype experiments are conducted, and both the theory behind the changing wheelbases and the effectiveness of proposed control strategy are verified. According to different vehicle configurations and mission requirements, the maneuverability and stability of the ground unmanned vehicle are ensured respectively.

Balanced Fast-SpaciMS capillary configurations provide practically noninvasive channel-average measurements in catalytic monoliths

Spatially resolved capillary-inlet mass spectrometry (SpaciMS) provides a detailed picture of the spatiotemporal evolution of reaction network in catalytic monoliths. In the present work, we combine the SpaciMS experiments with a newly developed non-isothermal 3D CFD model for heterogeneously catalyzed reactive flows, including diffusion and permeation through the coated catalyst and channel wall. We explore how the capillary size and sampling rate can be balanced to minimize the impact on probed-channel conversions and provide species concentration measurements representative of the free channel average. In all studied configurations, the balanced sampling-rate fraction is noticeably higher than the corresponding capillary occlusion fraction. For a typical 350-micron capillary that occupies 11% of the channel cross- section, the balanced sampling rate represents 43% of the channel flow. The present work shows that together, a balanced SpaciMS configuration and numerical simulation provide accurate channel-averaged information of a monolithic catalyst under realistic operation conditions.

What's new under the sun? A corpus linguistic analysis of the 2022 Italian election campaign themes in party manifestos

AbstractIn this article, we introduce an innovative approach to examining campaign themes in Italy, by performing an original corpus linguistic analysis of the party manifestos related to the crucial 2022 election. Through its systematicity and flexibility, our approach allows us to gauge theory-driven propositions using a large amount of so far unexplored textual data. As anticipated, the 2022 Italian party manifestos are characterised by a somewhat balanced configuration of emphasis across a variety of themes, of which some are more controversial and others more widely shared among voters and parties. Further, we also corroborate that parties primarily focus on those themes that historically fit them best, ideologically and in terms of perceived competence. Lastly, salient ‘issues of the day’ are differently emphasised by Italian parties, which particularly avoid devoting considerable attention to the highly sensitive Russian-Ukrainian war.

Universal structural patterns in sparse recurrent neural networks

Sparse neural networks can achieve performance comparable to fully connected networks but need less energy and memory, showing great promise for deploying artificial intelligence in resource-limited devices. While significant progress has been made in recent years in developing approaches to sparsify neural networks, artificial neural networks are notorious as black boxes, and it remains an open question whether well-performing neural networks have common structural features. Here, we analyze the evolution of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) trained by different sparsification strategies and for different tasks, and explore the topological regularities of these sparsified networks. We find that the optimized sparse topologies share a universal pattern of signed motifs, RNNs evolve towards structurally balanced configurations during sparsification, and structural balance can improve the performance of sparse RNNs in a variety of tasks. Such structural balance patterns also emerge in other state-of-the-art models, including neural ordinary differential equation networks and continuous-time RNNs. Taken together, our findings not only reveal universal structural features accompanying optimized network sparsification but also offer an avenue for optimal architecture searching.