A rewriting grammar for heat exchanger network structure evolution with stream splitting

The design of cost optimal heat exchanger networks is a difficult optimisation problem due both to the nonlinear models required and also the combinatorial size of the search space. When stream splitting is considered, the combinatorial aspects make the problem even harder. This paper describes the implementation of a two level evolutionary algorithm based on a string rewriting grammar for the evolution of the heat exchanger network structure. A biological analogue of genotypes and phenotypes is used to describe structures and specific solutions respectively. The top level algorithm evolves structures while the lower level optimises specific structures. The result is a hybrid optimisation procedure which can identify the best structures including stream splitting. Case studies from the literature are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the novel procedure

The role of quark mass in cold and dense pQCD and quark stars

For almost twenty years the effects of a nonzero strange quark mass on the equation of state of cold and dense QCD were considered to be negligible, thereby yielding only minor corrections to the mass-radius diagram of compact stars. By computing the thermodynamic potential to first order in \alpha_s, and including the effects of the renormalization group running of the coupling and strange quark mass, we show that corrections can be of the order of 25%, and dramatically affect the structure of compact stars.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, contribution to QM2005 proceeding

Logical Omnipotence and Two notions of Implicit Belief

The most widespread models of rational reasoners (the model based on modal epistemic logic and the model based on probability theory) exhibit the problem of logical omniscience. The most common strategy for avoiding this problem is to interpret the models as describing the explicit beliefs of an ideal reasoner, but only the implicit beliefs of a real reasoner. I argue that this strategy faces serious normative issues. In this paper, I present the more fundamental problem of logical omnipotence, which highlights the normative content of the problem of logical omniscience. I introduce two developments of the notion of implicit belief (accessible and stable belief ) and use them in two versions of the most common strategy applied to the problem of logical omnipotence

Ideal Reasoners don’t Believe in Zombies

The negative zombie argument concludes that physicalism is false from the premises that p ∧¬q is ideally negatively conceivable and that what is ideally negatively conceivable is possible, where p is the conjunction of the fundamental physical truths and laws and q is a phenomenal truth (Chalmers 2002; 2010). A sentence φ is ideally negatively conceivable iff φ is not ruled out a priori on ideal rational reflection. In this paper, I argue that the negative zombie argument is neither a priori nor conclusive. First, I argue that the premises of the argument are true only if there exists an adequate finite ideal reasoner R that believes ◊(p ∧ ¬q) on the basis of not believing p→q on a priori basis. Roughly, a finite reasoner is a reasoner with cognitive limitations (e.g. finite memory). I argue that R is finite only if R reasons nonmonotonically and only approach ideal reflection at the limit of a reasoning sequence. This would render the argument nonconclusive. Finally, I argue that, for some q, R does not believe ◊(p ∧ ¬q) on the basis of not believing p→q on a priori basis (e.g. for q =‘something is conscious’). This would render the choice of an adequate q dependent on empirical information (and the argument a posteriori). I conclude that the negative zombie argument (and, maybe, all zombie arguments) is neither a priori nor conclusive

Variable Oriole (Icterus pyrrhopterus) breeding in abandoned nests of Red-rumped Caciques (Cacicus haemorrhous) in Misiones, Argentina

Boyerito (Icterus pyrrhopterus) nidificando en nidos abandonados de Cacique Lomo Rojo (Cacicushaemorrhous) en Misiones, Argentina.Fil: Fraga, Rosendo Manuel. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; Argentin

Filogenia y evolución de la conducta en los ictéridos

The evolution of selected behavioral characteristics in the family Icteridae is discussed in the light of the new DNA phylogeny. The woven pensile nest is found in only two of the main icterid clades, the caciques plus oropendolas (Cacicus and Psarocolius), and in the genus Icterus. It is difficult to assert if this nest type represents an ancestral character to both lineages, or a case of convergence. Nest building mostly by males is only known in the South American genus Chrysomus. Cooperative breeding is found mostly in the South American quiscaline clade, with reports for 13 species. The hypothesis that cooperative breeding is an ancestral trait in this clade is supported by its unusual frequency in the group, and also because it is found in the genus Macroagelaius, placed in a basal position in the lineage. Brood parasitism evolved only once in the family, probably in ancestral North American cowbirds. Withouth denying a role for environment in shaping icterid behavior, the new molecular data supports the idea of an important phylogenetic component in behavioral evolutionSe discute la evolución de algunas características de la conducta de los tordos de la familia Icteridae a la luz de la nueva filogenia basada en secuencias del ADN. El nido tejido péndulo se encuentra solo en dos linajes o clados principales de la familia, los caciques mas oropéndolas (Cacicus y Psarocolius), y en el género Icterus. Resulta difícil deducir si este tipo de nido es una característica ancestral a ambos linajes (plesiomorfía) o un caso de convergencia. La construcción de nidos principalmente por el macho se conoce solamente en el género sudamericano Chrysomus. La cría cooperativa es registrada principalmente en el linaje de los quiscalinos sudamericanos, donde ha sido reportada para 13 especies. La hipótesis de que la cría cooperativa fuese una característica ancestral en este linaje resulta posible, primero por su frecuencia inusual en el mismo, y además por encontrarse en el género Macroagelaius, ubicado en una posición basal en este clado. El parasitismo de cría evolucionó una sola vez en la familia, probablemente en formas ancestrales norteamericanas de Molothrus. Sin negar un rol al medio ambiente en moldear la conducta de los ictéridos, los nuevos datos moleculares permiten también reconocer un importante componente filogenético en la evolución de la mismaFil: Fraga, Rosendo Manuel. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; Argentin

Notas sobre la nidificación del Chopí (Gnorimopsar chopi) en Argentina y Paraguay, con datos de cría cooperativa y de parasitismo de cría por el Tordo Pico Corto (Molothrus rufoaxillaris)

Fil: Fraga, Rosendo Manuel. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia de Tecnología a la Producción; Argentin

QCD under extreme conditions: an informal discussion

We present an informal discussion of some aspects of strong interactions under extreme conditions of temperature and density at an elementary level. This summarizes lectures delivered at the 2013 CERN -- Latin-American School of High-Energy Physics and is aimed at students working in experimental high-energy physics.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, based on lectures at the 2013 CERN -- Latin-American School of High-Energy Physics, Arequipa, Peru, submitted for publication in a CERN Yellow Repor