Dynamic stiffness vibration analysis using a high‐order beam model

This work presents the derivation of the exact dynamic stiffness matrix for a high‐order beam element. The terms are found directly from the solutions of the differential equations that describe the deformations of the cross‐section according to the high‐order theory, which include cubic variation of the axial displacements over the cross‐section of the beam. The model has six degrees of freedom at the two ends, one transverse displacement and two rotations, and the end forces are a shear force and two end moments. Using the dynamic stiffness matrix exact vibration frequencies for beams with various combinations of boundary conditions are tabulated and compared with results from the Bernoulli–Euler and Timoshenko beam models. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Many-Body Terms in van der Waals Cohesion Energy of Nanotubes

We have developed a model for the calculation of van der Waals force for layered systems with axial symmetry. Our result can be applied to compute the cohesion of a carbon nanotube to a substrate, the cohesion between nanotubes, and between shells of multiwall nanotubes. We have obtained unusal power laws for the distance dependence of the many-body van der Waals potential.     

Web-based systems design: a study of contemporary practices and an explanatory framework based on “method-in-action”

This paper reports the findings of a detailed study of Web-based systems design (WBSD) practices in Ireland based on data collected over a 3-year period (2002–2005), the objectives of which were to (1) contribute towards a richer understanding of the current “real-world” context of WBSD by characterising the profile of a typical project (team size, timeframe, nature of requirements, etc.) and identifying the key challenges, constraints, and imperatives (i.e. “mediating factors”) faced by Web-based system designers, and (2) understand how those contextual parameters and mediating factors influence the activity of WBSD as regards the selection and enactment of whatever design practices are therefore engaged (i.e. the use of methods, procedures, etc.). Data was gathered through a survey which yielded 165 usable responses, and later through a series of semi-structured qualitative interviews. Using grounded theory, an explanatory conceptual framework is derived, based on an extension of the “method-in-action” model, the application of which to WBSD has not been previously investigated in depth. It is proposed that this framework of WBSD issues is valuable in a number of ways to educators, researchers, practitioners, and method engineers.     

Multiagent learning using a variable learning rate

Learning to act in a multiagent environment is a difficult problem since the normal definition of an optimal policy no longer applies. The optimal policy at any moment depends on the policies of the other agents. This creates a situation of learning a moving target. Previous learning algorithms have one of two shortcomings depending on their approach. They either converge to a policy that may not be optimal against the specific opponents' policies, or they may not converge at all. In this article we examine this learning problem in the framework of stochastic games. We look at a number of previous learning algorithms showing how they fail at one of the above criteria. We then contribute a new reinforcement learning technique using a variable learning rate to overcome these shortcomings. Specifically, we introduce the WoLF principle, “Win or Learn Fast”, for varying the learning rate. We examine this technique theoretically, proving convergence in self-play on a restricted class of iterated matrix games. We also present empirical results on a variety of more general stochastic games, in situations of self-play and otherwise, demonstrating the wide applicability of this method.     

Node-pair reliability of network systems with small distances between adjacent nodes

A new method for computing the node-pair reliability of network systems modeled by random graphs with nodes arranged in sequence is presented. It is based on a recursive algorithm using the “sliding window” technique, the window being composed of several consecutive nodes. In a single step, the connectivity probabilities for all nodes included in the window are found. Subsequently, the window is moved one node forward. This process is repeated until, in the last step, the window reaches the terminal node. The connectivity probabilities found at that point are used to compute the node-pair reliability of the network system considered. The algorithm is designed especially for graphs with small distances between adjacent nodes, where the distance between two nodes is defined as the absolute value of the difference between the nodes’ numbers. The maximal distance between any two adjacent nodes is denoted by Γ(G), where G symbolizes a random graph. If Γ(G)=2 then the method can be applied for directed as well as undirected graphs whose nodes and edges are subject to failure. This is important in view of the fact that many algorithms computing network reliability are designed for graphs with failure-prone edges and reliable nodes. If Γ(G)=3 then the method's applicability is limited to undirected graphs with reliable nodes. The main asset of the presented algorithms is their low numerical complexity—O(n), where n denotes the number of nodes.     

Appraisal as a Pervasive Determinant of Anger.

L. Berkowitz and E. Harmon-Jones (see record 2004-15096-001) challenge appraisal theories of emotion by describing 2 sets of conditions (physical discomfort and anger-related muscle actions) in which anger appears to be elicited in the absence of theoretically predicted appraisals. In response, the authors discuss the ability of the specific appraisal model they have developed (e.g., C. A. Smith & L. D. Kirby, 2000, 2001; C. A. Smith & R. S. Lazarus, 1990) to account for such instances of anger. First, a number of issues are clarified relevant to the authors' model, including the nature of both the cognitive operations underlying appraisal and the specific appraisals hypothesized to evoke anger. The authors then describe how their model can account for the instances of anger described by L. Berkowitz and E. Harmon-Jones and how both accounts might be tested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Have it your way and mine: The theory of styles

Olsen is right to note what can be done with a good theory and the right machine. His particular theory, however, is not transferable to literary studies. If we need a new model, I would suggest that cognitive science can provide a few interesting ones. I have begun to do some work based on David Marr's VISION, in which he hypothesizes two levels of processing within the visual module. My speculation has been on the parallel existence of distinguishable levels of conceptual or language organization which would correspond to the viewer and object centered perspectives Marr describes for vision. I propose to explore the possibility that we may find here the model for the existence of stylistic individualism within overarching historical stylistic generalizations, and even more, that this may be what feminists are searching for when they try to resist being coopted by the masculine language of objectivity. Ellen Spolsky teaches English literature and literary theory and is the Director of the Lechter Institute for Literary Research at Bar-Ilan University, Israel. Her latest book is Gaps in Nature: Literary Interpretation and the Modular Mind(SUNY Press, 1993).     

WAVELET ALGORITHM FOR INTEGRAL OPERATOR EQUATION AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO ELECTROMAGNETIC PROBLEMS

A brief summary of the basic theory of wavelet is proposed. The properties of wavelet function are discussed. The possible applications of wavelet to electromagnetics are given. Examples show that the wavelet method is feasible and effective for solving electromagnetic problems.     

新型蓝绿发光材料ZnSe／BeTe超晶格的能带剪裁

由于器件的快速退化，101.5小时似乎成了Znse基蓝绿色半导体激光器难于逾越的寿命极限。分析退化机制，发现在强电流注入的半导体激光器中，热退化具有重要影响。研究表明，用作载流子限制层的宽带Ⅱ-Ⅵ族四元合金（如ZnMgSSe）只能对ZnSe中的电子有效地限制，无法对空穴很好地限制;而对BeTe，却只能对空穴进行有效的限制，无法对电子很好地限制。这导致ZnSe（或BeTe）活性层空穴（或电子）漏电发热，引起退化。本文提出以ZnSe／BeTe超晶格为蓝绿发光层，并用包络函数理论具体计算了阱宽、垒宽对载流子能级的不同影响，考察了ZnSe、BeTe厚度比和超晶格周期对带隙、载流子限制能力的调节。为研制新型长寿命蓝绿色半导体激光器提供了一条新的途径。