Scolopendrellidae (Myriapoda, Symphyla) from the Afrotropics with descriptions of seven new species

Among the Scolopendrellidae belonging to the collection of Symphyla of the Royal Museum for Central Africa (Tervuren, Belgium), ten species were found and seven new species are described: Symphylella erecta sp. nov., S. fuko sp. nov., S. kalundu sp. nov., S. lubumbashi sp. nov., S. malagassa sp. nov., S. tanganyika sp. nov. and Remysymphyla spinosa sp. nov. SEM micrographs and additional information of the new species and also of Remysymphyla hova Aubry & Masson, 1952, Ribautiella zagnanadina Brölemann, 1926 and R. schoutedeni Hinschberger, 1954 are provided, which contributes to an easier determination of the afrotropical scolopendrellid species. The diagnosis of the genus Remysymphyla is discussed

Staff, Functions, and Staff Costs at Central Banks: An International Comparison with a Labor-demand Model

During the period 2000-2004 central banks sustained a generalized reduction in their staff, which was accompanied, in most cases, with significant increases in staff costs. This could obey to an enhanced interest of central banks in focusing on their core functions. In fact, central banks have changed the ways they perform their operative functions (e.g. currency operations, payment systems operation, printing notes, etc.) through different strategies aimed at gathering the participation of third parties. These strategies differ according to the relationship that central banks have with the financial sector and the government, as well as to their historical tradition and modernization trend. To explain the effect of these changes on the staff, we estimated a short-term labor demand function for 66 central banks using a panel data model with random effects. Results indicate that central banks’ labor demand is strongly determined by the country’s population, economic development level and changes in operative functions, as well as by staff costs. In addition, we found a low employment-wage elasticity suggesting the presence of a flexible budgetary constrain in central banks.Central Banking, Labor Demand, Modernization, Functions, Staff Costs, Panel Data, Random Effects. Classification JEL: E50; J23; J30; C33

BANKNOTE PRINTING AT MODERN CENTRAL BANKING: TRENDS, COSTS, AND EFFICIENCY

This paper examines trends in banknote printing during the period 2000-2005 for a crosssection of 56 central banks. Because of the high increase in the demand for currency in recent years, central banks have implemented new strategies to increase efficiency in the production of banknotes. Some of them, involve the private sector by means of different modalities (e.g. joint ventures, subsidiaries or purchase of banknotes from specialized companies), and the integration of banknote printing and cash processing in a single complex (e.g. Portugal and Colombia). A cost function using a panel data model with random effects was estimated. It was identified that the denomination structure, the size of banknotes, and the production method used by central banks have a significant impact on production costs. Government printing was found to be the most costly method, while private-sector involvement in the process substantially reduces production costs. Using a non-parametric efficient frontier model, it was found that most central banks have increased its technical efficiency during the period, especially in central banks where the privatesector has involved. Computing a Malmquist index through distance functions it was identified that central banks have showed a moderate increase in its productivity, primarily due to increases in efficiency and, in a lower proportion to technical change. In most of the cases, a positive change in efficiency is mainly the result of higher scale efficiency. This could obey to high increase in demand for currency.Central Banks, Banknote Printing, Efficiency Frontier, Cost Function, Panel Data, Malmquist Index. Classification JEL: E50; C33; C23; C43.

Model Predictive Controller for piecewise affine system

2005 IFAC 16th Triennial World Congress, Prague, Czech RepublicThis paper presents a hybrid procedure to solve Model Predictive Controller (MPC) for Piecewise Affine System (PWA) The approach presented here belong to the class of Branch and Bound (B&B) methods. The procedure uses the concepts of reachable set combined to the specific B&B methods, in order to reduce the number of Quadratic Problems (QP) needed to be solved by the optimization algorithm

Interval model predictive control

6TH INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON ALGORITHMS AND ARCHITECTURES FOR REAL TIME CONTROL (6) (6.2000.PALMA DE MALLORCA. ESPAÑA)Model Predictive Control is one of the most popular control strategy in the process industry. One of the reason for this success can be attributed to the fact that constraints and uncertainties can be handled. There are many techniques based on interval mathematics that are used in a wide range of applications. These interval techniques can mean an important contribution to Model Predictive Control giving algorithms to achieve global optimization and constraint satisfaction

Using Genetic Algorithms with Variable-length Individuals for Planning Two-Manipulators Motion

International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks and Genetic Algorithms. 01/01/1997. NorwichA method based on genetic algorithms for obtaining coordinated motion plans of manipulator robots is presented. A decoupled planning approach has been used; that is, the problem has been decomposed into two subproblems: path planning and trajectory planning. This paper focuses on the second problem. The generated plans minimize the total motion time of the robots along their paths. The optimization problem is solved by evolutionary algorithms using a variable-length individuals codification and specific genetic operators