Convexity and convex approximations of discrete-time stochastic control problems with constraints

We investigate constrained optimal control problems for linear stochastic dynamical systems evolving in discrete time. We consider minimization of an expected value cost subject to probabilistic constraints. We study the convexity of a finite-horizon optimization problem in the case where the control policies are affine functions of the disturbance input. We propose an expectation-based method for the convex approximation of probabilistic constraints with polytopic constraint function, and a Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) method for the convex approximation of probabilistic constraints with ellipsoidal constraint function. Finally, we introduce a class of convex expectation-type constraints that provide tractable approximations of the so-called integrated chance constraints. Performance of these methods and of existing convex approximation methods for probabilistic constraints is compared on a numerical example.     

A Polynomial Model for Logics with a Prime Power Number of Truth Values

This paper is concerned with a polynomial model (residue class ring) for a given q-valued propositional logic (where q is a power of a prime integer). This model allows to transfer logic problems into algebraic terms, resulting in an immediate computational approach to Knowledge Based Systems based on multi-valued logics. By means of this new approach, we have extended an already existent algebraic model to logics with a prime power number of truth values, while also getting more straightforward proofs and a more direct enunciation of the central theorem of this model.     

Semantic orientation for polarity classification in Spanish reviews

Until now most of the published methods for polarity classification have been applied to English texts, but other languages are becoming increasingly important. This paper presents a new resource for the Spanish sentiment analysis research community. We have generated a new lexicon by translating into Spanish the Bin Liu English Lexicon. In order to assess the validity of the proposed lexicon a set of experiments on a Spanish review corpus are presented. In addition, the resource presented is compared with another existing Spanish lexicon. The results show that our resource outperforms the currently available Spanish lexicon for sentiment analysis.     

Presence of flavonol aglycones in sherry wines and changes in their content during aging

Summary The presence of free flavonol aglycones in three types of Sherry wines (Fino, Oloroso, and Amontillado) and the changes in their contents during ageing in eight Solera systems were studied. The samples of Fino wines present a small amount of quercetin and also very small quantities of kaempferol and isorhamnetin, and the contents of these compounds appear to decrease during ageing. On the other hand, these flavonols are absent in Oloroso and Amontillado wines. Such differences may have been due to the different processes that are involved in the ageing of these wines.

---

Aglykonflavonole im Sherry: Inhalt und Veranderung wahrend der Alterung des Weins

Zusammenfassung Es wurde das Vorhandensein von freien Aglykonflavonolen in drei verschiedenen Sherrysorten (Fino, Amontillado und Oloroso) und deren Veränderungen während des Alterungsprozesses an acht Solera-Vorrichtungen (Solera ist ein für den Sherry verwendetes Alterungssystem) festgestellt. Die Proben des Fino enthalten eine kleine Menge an Quercetin und noch weniger an Kaempferol sowie Isorhamnetin; die Menge dieser Substanzen scheint mit dem Alterungsprozeß abzunehmen. Andererseits sind these Substanzen bei den Sherrysorten Oloroso und Amontillado nicht vorhanden. Diese Unterschiede beruhen moglicherweise auf verschiedenen Alterungsprozessen.

     

RP-HPLC peptide profiling of cheese extracts: A study of sources of variation, repeatability and reproducibility

Peptide profiling of cheese extracts by RP-HPLC is widely used to study cheese quality and authenticity. Repeatability, reproducibility and the contribution of differences in sample/treatment, extraction, and the effect of the chromatographic run was studied. Chromatograms (108) of pH 4.6-soluble extracts from 180 d Cheddar cheeses were used to evaluate the precision of the method and to quantify the effect of treatment and replicate cheese trial. Repeatability and reproducibility coefficient of variations of peaks/RT classes varied widely and no clear correlation was found between peak size and reproducibility. ANOVA of Principal Component Scores identified significant differences amongst cheeses and a trial effect. Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis identified variables related to cheese treatment. Statistical process control methods were used to study the variability of replicate injections over the life of a single column showing the discriminatory power of RP-HPLC and giving possibilities to improve both process control and process optimisation.     

Propagating quantum walks: The origin of interference structures

Abstract

We analyse the solution of the coined quantum walk on a line. First, we derive the full solution, for arbitrary unitary transformations, by using a new approach based on the four ‘walk fields’ which we show determine the dynamics. The particular way of deriving the solution allows a rigorous derivation of a long wavelength approximation. This long wavelength approximation is useful as it provides an approximate analytical expression that captures the basics of the quantum walk and allows us to gain insight into the physics of the process.