Cosmological Models with Fractional Derivatives and Fractional Action Functional

Cosmological models of a scalar field with dynamical equations containing fractional derivatives or derived from the Einstein-Hilbert action of fractional order, are constructed. A number of exact solutions to those equations of fractional cosmological models in both cases is given.Comment: 14 page

A formulation of the fractional Noether-type theorem for multidimensional Lagrangians

This paper presents the Euler-Lagrange equations for fractional variational problems with multiple integrals. The fractional Noether-type theorem for conservative and nonconservative generalized physical systems is proved. Our approach uses well-known notion of the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative.Comment: Submitted 26-SEP-2011; accepted 3-MAR-2012; for publication in Applied Mathematics Letter

A new test framework for communications-critical large scale systems

None of today’s large scale systems could function without the reliable availability of a varied range of network communications capabilities. Whilst software, hardware and communications technologies have been advancing throughout the past two decades, the methods commonly used by industry for testing large scale systems which incorporate critical communications interfaces have not kept pace. This paper argues for the need for a specifically tailored framework to achieve effective and precise testing of communications-critical large scale systems (CCLSSs). The paper briefly discusses how generic test approaches are leading to inefficient and costly test activities in industry. The paper then outlines the features of an alternative CCLSS domain-specific test framework, and then provides an example based on a real case study. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the benefits observed during the case study and an outline of the available evidence that such benefits can be realized with other comparable systems

Noether's Theorem for Fractional Optimal Control Problems

We begin by reporting on some recent results of the authors (Frederico and Torres, 2006), concerning the use of the fractional Euler-Lagrange notion to prove a Noether-like theorem for the problems of the calculus of variations with fractional derivatives. We then obtain, following the Lagrange multiplier technique used in (Agrawal, 2004), a new version of Noether's theorem to fractional optimal control systems.Comment: To be presented at FDA'06 - 2nd IFAC Workshop on Fractional Differentiation and its Applications, 19-21 July 2006, Porto, Portugal. Accepted (07-March-2006) for the Conference Proceeding

Fractional Noether's theorem in the Riesz-Caputo sense

We prove a Noether's theorem for fractional variational problems with Riesz-Caputo derivatives. Both Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations are obtained. Illustrative examples in the fractional context of the calculus of variations and optimal control are given.Comment: Accepted (25/Jan/2010) for publication in Applied Mathematics and Computatio

Towards more effective testing of communications-critical large scale systems

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.A publication based on the research from this thesis has been published and can be cited as Nabulsi, MA and Hierons, RM (2014), A new test framework for communications-critical large scale systems, IEEE Software, In press. The published version can be accessed via the link below.None of today’s large scale systems could function without the reliable availability of a varied range of network communications capabilities. Whilst software, hardware and communications technologies have been advancing throughout the past two decades, the methods commonly used by industry for testing large scale systems which incorporate critical communications interfaces have not kept pace. This thesis argues for the need for a specifically tailored framework to achieve effective testing of communications-critical large scale systems (CCLSS). The thesis initially discusses how generic test approaches are leading to inefficient and costly test activities in industry. The thesis then presents the form and features of an alternative CCLSS domain-specific test framework, develops its ideas further into a detailed and structured test approach for one of its layers, and then provides a detailed example of how this framework can be applied using a real-life case study. The thesis concludes with a qualitative as well a simulation-based evaluation of the framework’s benefits observed during the case study and an evaluation by expert external participants considering whether similar benefits can be realised if the framework is adopted for the testing of other comparable systems. Requirements data from a second CCLSS is included in the evaluation by external participants as a second smaller case study

The crowd psychology of the Hajj

This thesis is the first study of the crowd psychology of the annual Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca (Makkah) in Saudi Arabia, to employ self-categorization theory (SCT). The thesis aims to document and understand the perspective of pilgrims from a social psychological point of view, since no one has done that before, as well as to understand the perceptions of the Hajj management. Specifically, the thesis focuses on crowd perceptions, feelings of safety and the reasons for these feelings, and relations between subgroups in the crowd and between pilgrims and management. A literature review in Chapter two highlights the history and culture of the Hajj and the issues in managing the Hajj. Academic perspectives on crowd psychology are discussed in chapter three. Chapters four and five present respectively a UK pilot study of pilgrims and a field pilot study of pilgrims and management. Chapter six (the main interview study with pilgrims) indicates that despite the inconveniences, participants felt safe, secure and wellbeing inside the Grand Mosque during Hajj. Chapter seven (the main interview study with Hajj management) explores the participants’ understanding of crowd behaviour, crowd psychology and its relation to safety, danger and their own role. In Chapter eight (the major study of the thesis), a survey of 1194 pilgrims at the Hajj found that identification with the crowd predicted enjoyment of the crowd. Also, for those high in identification with the crowd, crowd density increased perceptions of safety. Perceived support was found to mediate these positive effects of social identity on feeling safe. Chapter nine critically explores the findings of the thesis and discusses them in relation to relevant literature. It also reflects on the implications of the study for the theory of crowd psychology, and considers what lessons there might be for the management of the Hajj. This chapter concludes the thesis and outlines suggestions for further research

Аналітична база регулювання ефективності державної системи охорони здоров’я

The purpose of this publication is the comprehensive study of the peculiarities of the analytical framework to determine the level of efficiency of functioning of the state of health care in regional and national scale. The article deals with the formation of analytical database for determining the efficiency of the public health system. We investigate the analytical potential of satellite accounts of spending on health care, compared methods for estimating cost effectiveness in preventing disease of population. The system of measures to improve the level of distributive justice health care costs among members of a society at the regional level was worked out. It is proved that for determining the fair distribution of benefits and results of operation of the health care system among members of a society is necessary to introduce monitoring of financing and use of government programs of public health at the regional level. Статтю присвячено вивченню особливостей формування аналітичної бази визначення рівня ефективності функціонування державної системи охорони здоров’я в регіональному та національному масштабах унітарної держави. Досліджуються аналітичний потенціал системи сателітних рахунків витрат на охорону здоров’я, порівнюються методи оцінювання ефективності витрат по запобіганню захворювань населення. Розроблено систему заходів по підвищенню рівня справедливості розподілу витрат на охорону здоров’я між членами суспільства на регіональному рівні

Primjena dijelnog učinu-sličnog varijacijskog načela za rast crnih jama i energiju skupljanja

Some interesting aspects and features of black hole growth and accretion energy rather than evaporation are discussed within the framework of fractional action-like variational approach recently introduced by the author.U okviru dijelnog učinu-sličnog varijacijskog načela, nedavno uvedenog ovim autorom, raspravljaju se neki zanimljivi izgledi i odlike rasta crnih jama i energije skupljanja, umjesto isparavanja crnih jama