A Cambridgeshire Witch

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The control parametrization enhancing transform for constrained time--delayed optimal control problems

The Control Parametrization Enhancing Technique (CPET), is extended to a general class of constrained time-delayed optimal control problems. A model transformation approach is used to convert the time-delayed problem to an optimal control problem involving mixed boundary conditions, but without time-delayed arguments. The CPET is then used to solve this non delayed problem. Two test examples have been solved to illustrate the efficiencies of the CPET for time delayed problems

Bias in the journal impact factor

The ISI journal impact factor (JIF) is based on a sample that may represent half the whole-of-life citations to some journals, but a small fraction (<10%) of the citations accruing to other journals. This disproportionate sampling means that the JIF provides a misleading indication of the true impact of journals, biased in favour of journals that have a rapid rather than a prolonged impact. Many journals exhibit a consistent pattern of citation accrual from year to year, so it may be possible to adjust the JIF to provide a more reliable indication of a journal's impact.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures; one reference correcte

The (C-H) bond dissociation energy in the methyl group of toluene

A, kinetic study of the pyrolysis of toluene by a flow technique has been made, and assuming Szwarc\u27s mechanism, two activation energies (78.3 and 84 kcal/mole depending on the temperature range used) have been derived for the dissociation of the (C-H) bond in the methyl group of toluene. The lower value agrees quite well with Szwarc\u27s, and the higher value turns out to be approximately the average of 77.5 and 89.9. The results of this research suggest 84 kcal/mole as the upper limit for the activation energy

Sum Rule Description of Color Transparency

The assumption that a small point-like configuration does not interact with nucleons leads to a new set of sum rules that are interpreted as models of the baryon-nucleon interaction. These models are rendered semi-realistic by requiring consistency with data for cross section fluctuations in proton-proton diffractive collisions.Comment: 22 pages + 3 postscript figures attache

Multiple-Scattering Series For Color Transparency

Color transparency CT depends on the formation of a wavepacket of small spatial extent. It is useful to interpret experimental searches for CT with a multiple scattering scattering series based on wavepacket-nucleon scattering instead of the standard one using nucleon-nucleon scattering. We develop several new techniques which are valid for differing ranges of energy. These techniques are applied to verify some early approximations; study new forms of the wave-packet-nucleon interaction; examine effects of treating wave packets of non-zero size; and predict the production of $N^*$'s in electron scattering experiments.Comment: 26 pages, U.Wa. preprint 40427-23-N9

Uncoupling of complex regulatory patterning during evolution of larval development in echinoderms

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conservation of orthologous regulatory gene expression domains, especially along the neuroectodermal anterior-posterior axis, in animals as disparate as flies and vertebrates suggests that common patterning mechanisms have been conserved since the base of Bilateria. The homology of axial patterning is far less clear for the many marine animals that undergo a radical transformation in body plan during metamorphosis. The embryos of these animals are microscopic, feeding within the plankton until they metamorphose into their adult forms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We describe here the localization of 14 transcription factors within the ectoderm during early embryogenesis in <it>Patiria miniata</it>, a sea star with an indirectly developing planktonic bipinnaria larva. We find that the animal-vegetal axis of this very simple embryo is surprisingly well patterned. Furthermore, the patterning that we observe throughout the ectoderm generally corresponds to that of "head/anterior brain" patterning known for hemichordates and vertebrates, which share a common ancestor with the sea star. While we suggest here that aspects of head/anterior brain patterning are generally conserved, we show that another suite of genes involved in retinal determination is absent from the ectoderm of these echinoderms and instead operates within the mesoderm.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings therefore extend, for the first time, evidence of a conserved axial pattering to echinoderm embryos exhibiting maximal indirect development. The dissociation of head/anterior brain patterning from "retinal specification" in echinoderm blastulae might reflect modular changes to a developmental gene regulatory network within the ectoderm that facilitates the evolution of these microscopic larvae.</p

Bilateral negotiation in a multi-agent supply chain system

A supply chain is a set of organizations directly linked by flows of services from suppliers to customers. Supply chain activities range from the ordering and receipt of raw materials to the production and distribution of finished goods. Supply chain management is the integration of key activities across a supply chain for the purposes of building competitive infrastructures, synchronizing supply with demand, and leveraging worldwide logistics. This paper addresses the challenges created by supply chain management towards improving long-term performance of companies. It presents a multi-agent supply chain system composed of multiple software agents, each responsible for one or more supply chain activities, and each interacting with other agents in the execution of their responsibilities. Additionally, this paper presents the key features of a negotiation model for software agents. The model handles bilateral multi-issue negotiation and incorporates an alternating offers protocol, a set of logrolling strategies, and a set of negotiation tactics