Mixed Integer Robust Programming Model for Multimodal Fresh Agricultural Products Terminal Distribution Network Design

The low efficiency and high cost of fresh agricultural product terminal distribution directly restrict the operation of the entire supply network.To reduce costs and optimize the distribution network,we construct a mixed integer programmingmodel that comprehensively considers tominimize fixed,transportation,fresh-keeping,time,carbon emissions,and performance incentive costs.We analyzed the performance of traditional rider distribution and robot distribution modes in detail.In addition,the uncertainty of the actual market demand poses a huge threat to the stability of the terminal distribution network.In order to resist uncertain interference,we further extend the model to a robust counterpart form.The results of the simulation show that the instability of random parameters will lead to an increase in the cost.Compared with the traditional rider distribution mode,the robot distribution mode can save 12.7%on logistics costs,and the distribution efficiency is higher.Our research can provide support for the design of planning schemes for transportation enterprise managers.

Appropriateness of Reduced Modified Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution Function for Predicting Gold Production in Ghana

Forecasting mine production is pertinent to gold mining as it serves as production goals for investors. It is therefore important to identify the exact distribution that gold production as a response variable naturally follows. It is even more appropriate to have a model(s) with few predictor variables. This paper seeks to identify appropriate statistical distribution functions for fitting gold production in Ghana. The empirical paper relied mainly on quarterly secondary datasets on gold production between the years 2009 and 2022 secured from the Minerals Commission of Ghana, Accra. Several known statistical distributions including Weibull, Log-Normal, Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) were explored with Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) and evaluated using model selection criteria as AIC, AICc and BIC. Goodness of Fits were evaluated using Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test (K-S), Cramer-Von Mises Statistic and Anderson-Darling Statistic. Based on the analysis conducted, the reduced modified 3-parameter Weibull distribution provided the best fit for gold production in Ghana. Though the reduced modified Weibull function is proposed, it is important however to recognize that other external factors can influence production levels. Also, the average quarterly fitted gold production is 1000334.8918 ± 75,327.080 (±7.5%) [i.e., 925,007.812 – 1,075,661.972]. This indicates that the average annually fitted gold production lies between 3700031.248 and 4302647.888 ounces at 99.9% confidence level. Therefore, the predicted gold production for the year 2022 is 3.7million ounces at 99.9% confidence level.

Appropriateness of Reduced Modified Three-Parameter Weibull Distribution Function for Predicting Gold Production in Ghana

Forecasting mine production is pertinent to gold mining as it serves as production goals for investors. It is therefore important to identify the exact distribution that gold production as a response variable naturally follows. It is even more appropriate to have a model(s) with few predictor variables. This paper seeks to identify appropriate statistical distribution functions for fitting gold production in Ghana. The empirical paper relied mainly on quarterly secondary datasets on gold production between the years 2009 and 2022 secured from the Minerals Commission of Ghana, Accra. Several known statistical distributions including Weibull, Log-Normal, Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) were explored with Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) and evaluated using model selection criteria as AIC, AICc and BIC. Goodness of Fits were evaluated using Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test (K-S), Cramer-Von Mises Statistic and Anderson-Darling Statistic. Based on the analysis conducted, the reduced modified 3-parameter Weibull distribution provided the best fit for gold production in Ghana. Though the reduced modified Weibull function is proposed, it is important however to recognize that other external factors can influence production levels. Also, the average quarterly fitted gold production is 1000334.8918 ± 75,327.080 (±7.5%) [i.e., 925,007.812 – 1,075,661.972]. This indicates that the average annually fitted gold production lies between 3700031.248 and 4302647.888 ounces at 99.9% confidence level. Therefore, the predicted gold production for the year 2022 is 3.7million ounces at 99.9% confidence level.

Spatio-temporal distribution of net primary productivity along the northeast China transect and its response to climatic change

An improved Carnegie Ames Stanford Approach model （CASA model） was used to estimate the net primary productivity （NPP） of the Northeast China Transect （NECT） every month from 1982 to 2000. The spatial-temporal distribution of NPP along NECT and its response to climatic change were also analyzed. Results showed that the change tendency of NPP spatial distribution in NECT is quite similar to that of precipitation and their spatial correlation coefficient is up to 0.84 （P 〈 0.01）. The inter-annual variation of NPP in NECT is mainly affected by the change of the aestival NPP every year, which accounts for 67.6% of the inter-annual increase in NPP and their spatial correlation coefficient is 0.95 （P 〈 0.01）. The NPP in NECT is mainly cumulated between May and September, which accounts for 89.8% of the annual NPP. The NPP in summer （June to August） accounts for 65.9% of the annual NPP and is the lowest in winter. Recent climate changes have enhanced plant growth in NECT. The mean NPP increased 14.3% from 1980s to 1990s. The inter-annual linear trend of NPP is 4.6 gC·m^-2·a^-1, and the relative trend is 1.17%, which owns mainly to the increasing temperature.

Sediment yield and erosion–deposition distribution characteristics in ephemeral gullies in black soil areas under geocell protection

Investigating the effect of geocells on the erosion and deposition distribution of ephemeral gullies in the black soil area of Northeast China can provide a scientific basis for the allocation of soil and water conservation measures in ephemeral gullies.In this study,an artificial simulated confluence test and stereoscopic photogrammetry were used to analyze the distribution characteristics of erosion and deposition in ephemeral gullies protected by geocells and the effect of different confluence flows on the erosion process of ephemeral gullies.Results showed that when the confluence flow was larger,the effect of geocell was more evident,and the protection against ephemeral gully erosion was stronger.When the confluence flow rates were 0.6,1.8,2.4,and 3.0 m^(3)/h,ephemeral gully erosion decreased by 37.84%,26.09%,21.40%,and 35.45%.When the confluence flow rates were 2.4 and 3.0 m^(3)/h,the average sediment yield rate of the ephemeral gully was close to 2.14 kg/(m^(2)•min),and the protective effect of ephemeral gully erosion was enhanced.When the flow rate was higher,the surface fracture of the ephemeral gully was more serious.With an increase in confluence flow rate,the ratio of erosion to deposition increased gradually,the erosion area of ephemeral gullies was expanded,and erosion depth changed minimally.In conclusion,geocell measures changed erosion patterns by altering the rill erosion/deposition ratio,converting erosion from rill erosion to sheet erosion.

1-Butene isomerization and metathesis over Mo/mordenite-alumina: Factors influencing product distribution and induction period

Effects of space velocity, reaction temperature and support acidity on product distribution and induction period in 1-butene isomerization and metathesis over Mo/mordenite-alumina were investigated. As revealed by the catalytic performance results, induction period and objective product were closely related to the reaction conditions. Lower space velocity led to longer induction period and higher propene yield. The optimal reaction temperature for propene production is around 150 ~C and it shifted to 100 ~C for ethene production. 1-Butene auto-metathesis predominated in the reaction network if the support with lower degree of sodium exchanged. And propene gradually became the dominant product upon increasing the support sodium exchange degree. 6Mo/H100Na0M-30A1 catalyst with a support of full sodium exchange degree exhibited the highest propene yield.

Effect of external surface of HZSM-5 zeolite on product distribution in the conversion of methanol to hydrocarbons

The external surface of HZSM-5 zeolite was passivated by liquid siliceous deposition and by acidic sites poisoning with lepidine, respectively. Then methanol-to-hydrocarbons （MTH） reaction was investigated over the above as-prepared catalysts and the dissoluble coke on these used catalysts was analyzed by GC-MS, to study the role of the external surface of HZSM-5 in the catalytic reaction. Comparison with the experi- mental results based on parent ZSM-5 showed that the product distribution of MTH reaction was obviously influenced by the external surface. Evidences were listed as follows： （1） the final product on parent HZSM-5 showed higher aromatic selectivity, lower olefin selectivity, lower ra- tio of C2/C3＋ aliphatics and higher ratio of C3/C4＋ aliphatics than the reaction mixture produced by the sole catalysis of acidic sites in HZSM-5 channel; （2） a little of pentamethylbenzene and hexamethylbenzene in the product on parent HZSM-5, was produced via multi-methylation of methylbenzene on the external surface. The above conclusion may also be suitable for MTH reaction over other zeolites with 10-ring channel.

Kinetics and product distribution studies on ruthenium-promoted cobalt/alumina Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst

Hydrocarbon production rates and distributions on ruthenium promoted alumina supported cobalt Fischer-Tropsch synthesis （FTS） catalyst were studied by the concept of two superimposed Anderson-Schulz-Flory （ASF） distributions.The results indicated that the characterizing growth probabilities α1 and α2 were strongly dependent on reaction conditions.By increasing the H2 /CO partial pressure ratios and reaction temperatures,deviation from normal ASF distribution decreases and the double-α-ASF distribution changes into a straight line.Based on the concept of double-α-ASF distribution,a useful rate equation for the production of hydrocarbons under industrial reaction conditions is obtained.

Product distributions of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over Co/AC catalyst

The product distributions of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over Co/AC catalyst are investigated under different reaction conditions in an integral fixed bed reactor.It is found that the product distributions deviate from the ASF distribution.The deviation from ASF distribution is analyzed by taking the readsorption of alkenes and the following secondary reaction into consideration.It is noted that the contents of alcohol,alkene and alkane decline with the increasing carbon number,showing a slighter declining tendency of alkanes than those of alkenes and alcohols.It is also found that high temperature,space velocity,H2/CO in feed gas and low pressure are preferential for light hydrocarbons and alcohols while against the chain propagation.The effect of space velocity on the product distributions especially on the light products is not obvious.It is noticed that low temperature,space velocity,H2/CO and high pressure lead to high contents of alcohols;high temperature,H2/CO and low space velocity lead to high contents of alkanes.The effect of pressure on the amounts of alkanes is not significant;high space velocity and low temperature,pressure,H2/CO are preferential for alkenes.

Research on Site Selection Model of Distribution Center of Agricultural Products

In the light of the practical situation of logistics distribution of agricultural products,we primarily select transportation factor,economic factor,environment factor,and other factors,to establish evaluation index system of site selection of distribution center of agricultural products.And then we adopt the analytic hierarchy process method to calculate weight of site selection of distribution center of agricultural products.Under the circumstance that the evaluation information is interval number,we use uncertain and multiple attribute decision making method to establish site selection model of distribution center of agricultural products.Finally,taking one city as an example,we discuss the application of this model in site selection of distribution center of agricultural products.The results of empirical analysis show that the model we established fully considers the randomness and uncertainty in the process of evaluation,so as to make the results of evaluation more objective,in line with reality.So the effect of evaluation is better as against the former real number evaluation calibration.

Distribution, residence time, autotrophic production, and heterotrophic removal of DOP in the Mirs Bay, northern South China Sea

The importance of dissolved organic phosphorus(DOP) as a potential nutrient source for primary producers in marine systems has been recognized for up to eight decades, but currently, the understanding of the biogeochemistry of DOP is in its infancy. In the present study, monthly data between 2000 and 2014 were used to analyze the temporal and spatial distributions of DOP in the Mir Bay, the northern South China Sea. The DOP residence time(TDOP) was also investigated using a simple regression analysis in combination with chlorophyll a(Chl a) measurements while excess DOP(ΔDOP), produced by the biogeochemical processes of autotrophic production and heterotrophic removal, was determined using a two-component mixing mass-balance model in combination with salinity measurements. The results showed that the DOP concentration was(0.017±0.010) mg/L higher in the surface-water compared with the bottom-water and higher in the inner Tolo Harbour and waters adjacent to Shatoujiao compared with the main zone of the bay. Although seasonal changes and annual variability in the DOP were small, the surface DOP concentration was higher in the wet season(April–September)than in the dry season(October–March) due to the impacts of seaward discharges and atmospheric deposition into the bay. Measurement and regression results showed that the DOP release rate from phytoplankton production was about 1.83(gP)/(gChl a) and the TDOP was about 7 d, which implied that the DOP cycle in the bay was rapid. The ΔDOP was calculated from the model to be about 0.000 mg/L in the main zone of the bay and about 0.002 mg/L in the inner Tolo Harbour and waters adjacent to Shaotoujiao, suggesting that the autotrophic production of DOP was almost balanced by the heterotrophic removal in the main zone of the bay and dominated in the inner Tolo Harbour and waters adjacent to Shaotoujiao. In conclusion, the Mirs Bay is very productive and fairly heterotrophic.

An efficient two-step quantum key distribution protocol with orthogonal product states

An efficient two-step quantum key distribution （QKD） protocol with orthogonal product states in the （×）（n ≥3） Hilbert space is presented. In this protocol, the particles in the orthogonal product states form two particle sequences. The sender, Alice, first sends one sequence to the receiver, Bob. After Bob receives the first particle sequence, Alice and Bob check eavesdropping by measuring a fraction of particles randomly chosen. After ensuring the security of the quantum channel, Alice sends the other particle sequence to Bob. By making an orthogonal measurement on the two particle sequences, Bob can obtain the information of the orthogonal product states sent by Alice. This protocol has many distinct features such as great capacity, high efficiency in that it uses all orthogonal product states in distributing the key except those chosen for checking eavesdroppers.

Chemical looping gasification of maceral from low-rank coal: Products distribution and kinetic analysis on vitrinite

The product distribution and kinetic analysis of low-rank coal vitrinite were investigated during the chemical looping gasification(CLG)process.The acid washing method was used to treat low-rank coal,and the density gradient centrifugation method was adopted to obtain the coal macerals.By combining thermogravimetric analysis and online mass spectrometry,the influence of the heating rate and oxygen carrier(Fe2O3)blending ratio on product distribution was discussed.The macroscopic kinetic parameters were solved by the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose(KAS)method,and the main gaseous product formation kinetic parameters were solved by the iso-conversion method.The results of vitrinite during slow heating chemical looping gasification showed that the main weight loss interval was 400–600℃,and the solid yield of sample vitrinite-Fe-10 at different heating rates was 64.30%–69.67%.When b=20℃·min^(-1),the maximum decomposition rate of vitrinite-Fe-10 was 0.312%min1.The addition of Fe2O_(3)reduced the maximum decomposition rate,but by comparing the chemical looping conversion characteristic index,it could be inferred that the chemical looping gasification of vitrinite might produce volatile substances higher than the pyrolysis process of vitrinite alone.The average activation energy of the reaction was significantly reduced during chemical looping gasification of vitrinite,which was lower than the average activation energy of 448.69 kJ·mol^(-1) during the pyrolysis process of vitrinite alone.The gaseous products were mainly CO and CO_(2).When the heating rate was 10℃·min^(-1),the highest activation energy for CH4 formation was 21.353 kJ·mol^(-1),and the lowest activation energy for CO formation was 9.7333 kJ·mol^(-1).This study provides basic data for exploring coal chemical looping gasification mechanism and reactor design by studying the chemical looping gasification process of coal macerals。

Continuous Production of Biodiesel from Soybean Oil Using Supercritical Methanol in a Vertical Tubular Reactor：I.Phase Holdup and Distribution of Intermediate Product along the Axial Direction

Production of biodiesel with supercritical methanol is a green synthesis process.A study was carried out in a vertical tubular reactor with a length of 3700 mm and a diameter of 20 mm at 275-375°C,15 MPa,and molar ratio of methanol to soybean oil of 40︰1.The phase holdup,intermediate product,yield and axial distribution of methyl ester(ME) were investigated.Methanol and oil were mixed non-uniformly due to the formation of biodiesel and difference in their densities,even when the reaction system was in the supercritical state.From top to bottom,the phase holdup of methanol increased and that of oil decreased.As temperature increased,the concentrations of monoglyceride and diglyceride decreased gradually and the ME yield increased.When the temperature reached 300°C,the critical temperature of the system,the ME yield was 50%.Further increase in temperature led to a sharp in-crease of ME yield.However,at 375°C after 1200 s of reaction time,the decomposition rate of ME was greater than its formation rate,reducing the ME yield.

Population distribution and threats to sustainable management of selected non-timber forest products in tropical lowland rainforests of south western Nigeria

Uncontrolled harvesting of non-timber forest products （NTFPs） poses a serious risk of extermination to several of these species in Nigeria. Yet, there is a paucity of information on the distribution, population status and sustainable management of NTFPs in most of the tropical lowland rainforests. We, therefore, assessed the population, distribution and threats to sustainable management of NTFPs within the tropical lowland rainforests of Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, south western Nigeria. Data were obtained through inventory surveys on five top priority species including： bush mango （Irvingia gabonensis （Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke） Baill）, African walnut （Tetracarpidium conophorum （Mull. Arg.） Hutch. ＆ Dalziel syn. Plukenetia conophora）, chew-stick （Massularia acuminata （G. Don） Bullock）, fever bark （Annickia chlorantha Setten ＆ P.J.Maas syn. Enantia chloranta） and bush pepper （Piper guineense Schumach. ＆ Thonn.）. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used for the inventory. Each forest reserve was stratified into three, viz： less disturbed natural forest （for areas that have been rested for at least ten years）, recently disturbed natural forest （for areas that have suffered one form of human perturbation or the other in the last five years）, and plantation forest （for areas carrying forest plantation）. Data were collected from eighteen 10 m × 500 m belt transects located in the above strata. The species were generally fewer in both plantation and recently disturbed natural forest than the less disturbed natural forest, suggesting that forest disturbances （habitat modification） for other uses may have an effect on the occurrence and densities of the NTFPs. Exceptions to this trend were found for P. guineense and T. conophorum, which were fairly common in both plantation and recently disturbed natural forest. Among three tree NTFP species （i.e. I. gabonensis, M. acuminata and A. chlorantha）, only I. gabonensis showed a significant difference in overall DBH size classes for both reserves （t=？2.404; df =21; p=0.026）. Three tree NTFP species in both reserves further showed differences from the regular patterns of distribution of trees. The fairly regular reverse J-shaped size class distribution observed for M. acuminata in the study sites, however, suggests a recuperating population. In general, destructive harvesting of species, logging operations, low population size, narrow distribution ranges and habitat degradation are the major threats to the population of NTFPs in the study area. The implications of our findings for sustainable management of NTFPs in the study area are discussed and recommendations are made for a feasible approach towards enhancing the status of the species.

An efficient quantum key distribution protocol with orthogonal product states

An efficient quantum key distribution （QKD） protocol with orthogonal product states in the 3 3 Hilbert space is presented. The sender, Alice, disorders the orthogonal product state sequence and sends it to Bob. After Alice has published the matching information of the particle sequence, Bob recovers the correct correspondences and makes an orthogonal measurement on the orthogonal product states to obtain the information sent by Alice. Finally, security analysis is also made.

Catalyst-free and solvent-free oxidation of cycloalkanes(C5-C8) with molecular oxygen:Determination of autoxidation temperature and product distribution

Autoxidation of cycloalkanes （C5-C8） with molecular oxygen under catalyst-free and solvent-free conditions was conducted systematically for the first time, focusing on the autoxidation temperature and product distribution. The autoxidation of cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane and cyclooctane occurs at 120 ℃, 130 ℃, 120 ℃, and 105 ℃ respectively, with obvious oxidized products formation. At 140 ℃, 145 ℃, 130 ℃ and 125 ℃, acceptable yields of the oxidized products could be obtained for them, and the oxidized product distributions were investigated in detail. The autoxidation of cycloalkanes follows the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the apparent activation energies （Ea） for the autoxidation of cyclopentane and cyclohexane are 159.76 kJ. tool-1 and 86.75 kJ. mol-1 respectively. This study can act as an important reference in screen of suitable reaction temperature and comparison of the performance of various catalysts in the catalytic oxidation of cycloalkanes in the attempt to enhance the oxidized product selectivity.

Application of Robust Strategies in Location Selection of Logistics Distribution Center for Fresh Agricultural Products

In view of the uncertainty in the location selection of logistics distribution center for the fresh agricultural products,the present study established a robust model based on the maximization of principal component score taking budget cost parameters as an example.In the process of model solving,the interval form of the uncertain set was used to clarify the constraint conditions,to transform into a certain 0-1 integer linear programming model,so as to solve with the aid of LINGO software.Finally,through studying the location selection of logistics distribution center for fresh agricultural products in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,it analyzed the application of the robust model and tested the validity of the model.

Product Spacing of Stress–Strength under Progressive Hybrid Censored for Exponentiated-Gumbel Distribution

Maximum product spacing for stress–strength model based on progressive Type-II hybrid censored samples with different cases has been obtained.This paper deals with estimation of the stress strength reliability model R=P(Y<X)when the stress and strength are two independent exponentiated Gumbel distribution random variables with different shape parameters but having the same scale parameter.The stress–strength reliability model is estimated under progressive Type-II hybrid censoring samples.Two progressive Type-II hybrid censoring schemes were used,Case I:A sample size of stress is the equal sample size of strength,and same time of hybrid censoring,the product of spacing function under progressive Type-II hybrid censoring schemes.Case II:The sample size of stress is a different sample size of strength,in which the life-testing experiment with a progressive censoring scheme is terminated at a random time T 2 e0;1T.The maximum likelihood estimation and maximum product spacing estimation methods under progressive Type-II hybrid censored samples for the stress strength model have been discussed.A comparison study with classical methods as the maximum likelihood estimation method is discussed.Furthermore,to compare the performance of various cases,Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation is conducted by using iterative procedures as Newton Raphson or conjugate-gradient procedures.Finally,two real datasets are analyzed for illustrative purposes,first data for the breaking strengths of jute fiber,and the second data for the waiting times before the service of the customers of two banks.

Production Scheduling and Distribution in Downstream Sector Using Block-Structured Linear Programming Solution Technique ： A Comparative Analysis

The aim of this paper is to compare block-structured linear programming （LP） models against other practical optimization methods for solving downstream product refinery problems using a solution method different from the existing ones （like mixed integer linear programming （MILP） method）. The work X-rays the Nigerian petroleum refining industries and their channel of distribution in the local setting and identifies the critical features of scheduling and allocation of refined crude products; either for distribution within the country or for exportation to the international market. Applying our model to the distribution model, the computational results reveal a better route with lowest transportation cost for the scheduling problem and the best optimal blend with higher revenue for the production problem.