Speeding up global optimization with the help of intelligent supervisors

It is shown in the paper that Developmental Genetic Programming is an efficient tool for evolutionary development of intelligent supervisors that solve an extension of Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling Problem. The extension assumes that resources are only partially available. It also assumes that renewable resources affect the project cost. The cost should be as low as possible and a deadline of the project must be met. This is apparent with regard to software houses and building enterprises. Computational experiments showed that supervisors find solutions of the problem much faster than other genetic approaches. A specific property of the supervisor is that it has various strategies of allocating the resources to the tasks. The supervisor uses the strategies in order to develop a procedure for producing the best schedule for the whole project. The analysis of the evolutionary process was performed and experimental results were compared with the optimal ones obtained by means of the exhaustive search method.     

Erotetic Search Scenarios and Three-Valued Logic

Our aim is to model the behaviour of a cognitive agent trying to solve a complex problem by dividing it into sub-problems, but failing to solve some of these sub-problems. We use the powerful framework of erotetic search scenarios (ESS) combined with Kleene’s strong three-valued logic. ESS, defined on the grounds of Inferential Erotetic Logic, has appeared to be a useful logical tool for modelling cognitive goal-directed processes. Using the logical tools of ESS and the three-valued logic, we will show how an agent could solve the initial problem despite the fact that the sub-problems remain unsolved. Thus our model not only indicates missing information but also specifies the contexts in which the problem-solving process may end in success despite the lack of information. We will also show that this model of problem solving may find use in an analysis of natural language dialogues.     

Quantum steering borders in three-qubit systems

We discuss a family of states describing three-qubit systems in a context of quantum steering phenomena. We show that symmetric steering cannot appear between two qubits—only asymmetric steering can appear in such systems. The main aim of this paper is to discuss the possible relations between the entanglement measures and steering parameter for two-mode mixed state corresponding to the qubit–qubit subsystem. We have derived the conditions determining boundary values of the negativity parametrized by concurrence. We show that two-qubit mixed state cannot be steerable when the negativity of such state is smaller than, or equal to, its boundary value. Finally, we have found ranges of the values of the mixedness measure, parametrized by concurrence and negativity for steerable and unsteerable two-qubit mixed states.     

Analytical benchmarks for topological optimization IV: square-shaped line support

Michell’s problem of optimizing truss topology for stress or compliance constraints under a single load condition is solved analytically for plane trusses having a square-shaped line support. Geometrical characteristics of the Hencky nets giving the truss layout are expressed in terms of Lommel functions. Analytically derived truss volumes for the above problem are compared with those of trusses supported along circles of equivalent area. Some general implications of the results are also discussed.     

Ordering within precipitates in copper-nickel-titanium alloys

The precipitation process in alloys containing 4% Ti and 5 to 16% Ni was investigated using transmission electron microscopy, hardness and electrical conductivity measurements. After ageing, spherical -Ni₃Ti precipitates with ordered DO₂₂ superlattice were observed in alloys CuTiNi5 to 10 and the L1₂ superlattice in the CuTi4Ni16 alloy. With increasing nickel content the size of precipitates decreases; this has only a minor influence on the age hardening. The CuTiNi10 alloy has the best electrical conductivity approaching 18m^–1mm^–2.     

Quattor: Tools and Techniques for the Configuration,Installation and Management of Large-Scale Grid Computing Fabrics

This paper describes the quattor tool suite, a new system for the installation, configuration, and management of operating systems and application software for computing fabrics. At present Unix derivatives such as Linux and Solaris are supported. Quattor is a powerful, portable and modular open source solution that has been shown to scale to thousands of computing nodes and offers a significant reduction in management costs for large computing fabrics. The quattor tool suite includes innovations compared to existing solutions which make it very useful for computing fabrics integrated into grid environments. Evaluations of the tool suite in current large scale computing environments are presented.     

Formulation of Presliding Domain Non-local Memory Hysteretic Loops Based Upon Modified Maxwell Slip Model

In this paper, we investigate formulation of non-local memory effect hysteretic loops in presliding domain of friction by examining the dynamic responses of a single-degree-of-freedom friction oscillator. We modify the Maxwell slip model introducing characteristic features of asperities and perform detailed examination of the system from two perspectives. The first one, termed by us as microscale, presents contribution of each individual asperity to the total friction force, whereas the second one, termed by us as macroscale, concerns friction force behaviour of the whole model treated as the unity, with a special emphasis on non-local memory effect hysteretic loops formulation, complemented by time responses.