This paper describes a multi-agent decision support system called SC (Supply Chain Smart Coordination) that aims at offering an integrated environment to better manage dynamic supply chains by covering the production, distribution and sales chains. Reliable, timely and interoperable information are exchanged among the supply chain members in XML by means of a workflowdriven and CORBA-based plat...

Here we explored a novel ZnO nanorod array template-assisted electrodeposition route to synthesize large-scale single-walled polypyrrole (PPy) nanotube arrays (NTAs) and multi-walled MnO(2)/PPy/MnO(2) NTAs. The structures of nanotubes, such as external and inner diameters, wall thicknesses, and lengths, can be well controlled by adjusting the diameters and lengths of ZnO nanorods and deposition...

This paper presents an experimental study of imperfection insensitive composite wavy cylindrical shells subject to axial compression. A fabrication technique for making cylindrical shells with intricate shape of cross-sections has been developed. A photogrammetry technique to measure the geometric imperfections has also been developed. The behavior of the wavy shells under axial compression was...

Coupled multi-component $\mathbb{C}P^N$ models with V-shaped potentials are analyzed. It is shown that the model has solutions being combinations of compact Q-balls and Q-shells. The nature permits existence novel harbor-type having form sheltered by relation between energy $E$ Noether charge $Q$ discussed both analytically numerically. behaves as $E\sim |Q|^\alpha,~\alpha<1$, i.e., for standar...

In the Lake Tanganyika cichlid Lamprologus callipterus, males were >12 times heavier than females, the most extreme sexual size dimorphism in this direction among animals. L. callipterus males construct nests of empty snail shells in which the females breed. If the ancestors of L. callipterus were small cichlids, both sexes may have used shells for shelter. If the ancestors were larger, snail s...

There are 509 expanding neutral hydrogen shells catalogued in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), all apparently very young, with dynamical ages of a few Myr. To examine their relationship with young stellar objects we cross-correlated the shell catalogue with various catalogues of OB associations, super giants, Cepheids, WR stars, supernova remnants, and star clusters. The incidence of chance li...

The high efficiency of circular monocoque cylindrical shells in carrying axial loads is impaired by their extreme sensitivity to imperfections and there is an extensive body of literature that addresses this behavior. Instead of following this classical path, focused on circular cross-sections, this paper presents a novel approach that adopts optimal symmetry-breaking wavy cross-sections (wavy ...