Extensible Automated Constraint Modelling

In constraint solving, a critical bottleneck is the formulationof an effective constraint model of a given problem. The CONJURE system described in this paper, a substantial step forward over prototype versions of CONJURE previously reported, makes a valuable contribution to the automation of constraint modelling by automatically producing constraint models from their specifications in the abstract constraint specification language ESSENCE. A set of rules is used to refine an abstract specification into a concrete constraint model. We demonstrate that this set of rules is readily extensible to increase the space of possible constraint models CONJURE can produce. Our empirical results confirm that CONJURE can reproduce successfully the kernels of the constraint models of 32 benchmark problems found in the literature

Approximation in Smirnov-Orlicz classes

We use the approximation properties of the Faber polynomials to obtain some direct theorems of the polynomial approximation in Smirnov-Orlicz classes

Measurements of the Rate Capability of Various Resistive Plate Chambers

Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) exhibit a significant loss of efficiency for the detection of particles, when subjected to high particle fluxes. This rate limitation is related to the usually high resistivity of the resistive plates used in their construction. This paper reports on measurements of the performance of three different glass RPC designs featuring a different total resistance of the resistive plates. The measurements were performed with 120 GeV protons at varying beam intensitie

Quartz Cherenkov Counters for Fast Timing: QUARTIC

We have developed particle detectors based on fused silica (quartz) Cherenkov radiators read out with micro-channel plate photomultipliers (MCP-PMTs) or silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) for high precision timing (Sigma(t) about 10-15 ps). One application is to measure the times of small angle protons from exclusive reactions, e.g. p + p - p + H + p, at the Large Hadron Collider, LHC. They may also be used to measure directional particle fluxes close to external or stored beams. The detectors have small areas (square cm), but need to be active very close (a few mm) to the intense LHC beam, and so must be radiation hard and nearly edgeless. We present results of tests of detectors with quartz bars inclined at the Cherenkov angle, and with bars in the form of an "L" (with a 90 degree corner). We also describe a possible design for a fast timing hodoscope with elements of a few square mm.Comment: 24 pages, 14 figure

Project PROMETHEUS: Design and Construction of a Radio Frequency Quadrupole at TAEK

The PROMETHEUS Project is ongoing for the design and development of a 4-vane radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) together with its H+ ion source, a low energy beam transport (LEBT) line and diagnostics section. The main goal of the project is to achieve the acceleration of the low energy ions up to 1.5 MeV by an RFQ (352 MHz) shorter than 2 meter. A plasma ion source is being developed to produce a 20 keV, 1 mA H+ beam. Simulation results for ion source, transmission and beam dynamics are presented together with analytical studies performed with newly developed RFQ design code DEMIRCI. Simulation results shows that a beam transmission 99% could be achieved at 1.7 m downstream reaching an energy of 1.5 MeV. As the first phase an Aluminum RFQ prototype, the so-called cold model, will be built for low power RF characterization. In this contribution the status of the project, design considerations, simulation results, the various diagnostics techniques and RFQ manufacturing issues are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 8 figures, Proceedings of the 2nd International Beam Instrumentation Conference 2013 (IBIC'13), 16-19 Sep 2013, WEPC02, p. 65

Development of a supervisory controller for residential energy management problems

In recent years, the infrastructure that supplies energy to residential areas has started to evolve into a multi-source system, just like in automotive industry in which hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have been replacing conventional gasoline vehicles. Multi energy source systems considered as a potential solution for carbon emission problems despite their challenges in their operation due to increased complexity. In this paper, a control design approach successfully applied in the automotive industry is used to solve a residential energy management problem. First, a dynamic programming method is applied to obtain optimal control actions for the representative demand profiles and then by using these results, a causal supervisory controller is developed. It is found that the developed baseline controller performs 1-2% better daily in its initial form in terms of operational costs, compared to available heuristic strategies. © 2012 AACC American Automatic Control Council)

Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Clinical and Personality Correlates

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to establish a clinical/personality profile of Turkish patients with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (TR-OCD). Methods. A neurocognitive/clinical test battery was administered to 17 patients with TR-OCD. Results. TR-OCD patients presented with major psychiatric syndromes (especially mood and generalized anxiety disorders) and personality disorders (particularly paranoid, avoidant, obsessive-compulsive, histrionic), and obtained higher scores on measures of core OCD symptoms (i.e., obsessional ideation, compulsive cleaning/washing, mental neutralizing), depressive symptoms, schizotypal personality features, and impulsiveness relative to normative controls. TR-OCD patients did not differ significantly from normative controls on checking, doubting, ordering, and hoarding subscales, and on measures of venturesomeness and empathy. Conclusions. Lack of insight, suspiciousness, and rigidity associated with schizotypal, paranoid, and obsessive-compulsive personality features may have contributed to treatment failure

Tkachenko modes as sources of quasiperiodic pulsar spin variations

We study the long wavelength shear modes (Tkachenko waves) of triangular lattices of singly quantized vortices in neutron star interiors taking into account the mutual friction between the superfluid and the normal fluid and the shear viscosity of the normal fluid. The set of Tkachenko modes that propagate in the plane orthogonal to the spin vector are weakly damped if the coupling between the superfluid and normal fluid is small. In strong coupling, their oscillation frequencies are lower and are undamped for small and moderate shear viscosities. The periods of these modes are consistent with the observed ~100-1000 day variations in spin of PSR 1828-11.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, uses RevTex, v2: added discussion/references, matches published versio