Past, present and future mathematical models for buildings (i)

This is the first of two articles presenting a detailed review of the historical evolution of mathematical models applied in the development of building technology, including conventional buildings and intelligent buildings. After presenting the technical differences between conventional and intelligent buildings, this article reviews the existing mathematical models, the abstract levels of these models, and their links to the literature for intelligent buildings. The advantages and limitations of the applied mathematical models are identified and the models are classified in terms of their application range and goal. We then describe how the early mathematical models, mainly physical models applied to conventional buildings, have faced new challenges for the design and management of intelligent buildings and led to the use of models which offer more flexibility to better cope with various uncertainties. In contrast with the early modelling techniques, model approaches adopted in neural networks, expert systems, fuzzy logic and genetic models provide a promising method to accommodate these complications as intelligent buildings now need integrated technologies which involve solving complex, multi-objective and integrated decision problems

Past, present and future mathematical models for buildings (ii)

This article is the second part of a review of the historical evolution of mathematical models applied in the development of building technology. The first part described the current state of the art and contrasted various models with regard to the applications to conventional buildings and intelligent buildings. It concluded that mathematical techniques adopted in neural networks, expert systems, fuzzy logic and genetic models, that can be used to address model uncertainty, are well suited for modelling intelligent buildings. Despite the progress, the possible future development of intelligent buildings based on the current trends implies some potential limitations of these models. This paper attempts to uncover the fundamental limitations inherent in these models and provides some insights into future modelling directions, with special focus on the techniques of semiotics and chaos. Finally, by demonstrating an example of an intelligent building system with the mathematical models that have been developed for such a system, this review addresses the influences of mathematical models as a potential aid in developing intelligent buildings and perhaps even more advanced buildings for the future

Nouvelles observations sur le complexe mimétique de Mesoplatys cincta Olivier (Coléoptère Chrysomelidae) au Sénégal

The design and colouring of the adult Chrysomelid beetle, Mesoplatys cincta Olivier, living in Senegal on Sesbania spp., and that of the larva of the Hemiptera Afrius purpureus Westwood — sub-family Asopinae are very similar. This Asopinae, a predator of the Chrysomelidae apparently mimics its prey in order to capture it more easily. This would seem to be a hitherto unrecorded case of aggressive mimicry between Coleoptera and Hemiptera.Les dessins et les colorations du Coléoptère Chrysomélide adulte Meso-platys cincta Olivier vivant au Sénégal sur Sesbania spp., et ceux de la larve de l'Hémip-tère Asopinae, Afrius purpureus Westwood sont très proches. Cet Asopinae, prédateur du Chrysomélide mimerait ainsi sa proie pour s'en emparer plus facilement. Il s'agirait là d'un cas inédit de mimétisme agressif entre un Coléoptère et un Hémiptère.Bourdouxhe L., Jolivet Pierre. Nouvelles observations sur le complexe mimétique de Mesoplatys cincta Olivier (Coléoptère Chrysomelidae) au Sénégal. In: Bulletin mensuel de la Société linnéenne de Lyon, 50ᵉ année, n°2, février 1981. pp. 46-48

Controlled comparison of milnacipran (F2207) 200 mg and amitriptyline in endogenous depressive inpatients

A multicentre study compared the antidepressant efficacy and the tolerance of milnacipran (200 mg/d) and amitriptyline (150 mg/d) in two parallel groups of 43 major depressive inpatients, endogenous subtype, as defined by Research Diagnostic Criteria. The duration of the study was 4 weeks, with weekly assessments by means of the Montgomery and Asberg depression scale (MADS), the Hamilton depression scale, the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) and a checklist of symptoms and side‐effects. Results showed similar improvement in both groups but better tolerance with milnacipran (less drowsiness and anticholinergic side‐effects), reflected in the better scores on the therapeutic index of the CGI. The clinical profile of the two drugs was somewhat different with more transitory sedation with amitriptyline and more improvement in concentration difficulties with milnacipran during the first weeks of the study associated with more effect on retardation with milnacipran at the end of the study. Copyright © 1989 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd