Multiscale decision-making: Bridging organizational scales in systems with distributed decision-makers

Decision-making in organizations is complex due to interdependencies among decision-makers (agents) within and across organizational hierarchies. We propose a multiscale decision-making model that captures and analyzes multiscale agent interactions in large, distributed decision-making systems. In general, multiscale systems exhibit phenomena that are coupled through various temporal, spatial and organizational scales. Our model focuses on the organizational scale and provides analytic, closed-form solutions which enable agents across all organizational scales to select a best course of action. By setting an optimal intensity level for agent interactions, an organizational designer can align the choices of self-interested agents with the overall goals of the organization. Moreover, our results demonstrate when local and aggregate information exchange is sufficient for system-wide optimal decision-making. We motivate the model and illustrate its capabilities using a manufacturing enterprise example.     

Oxidative determination of thiosulphate by alkaline ferricyanide using osmium tetroxide as a catalyst

Summary The catalytic action of osmium tetroxide has been utilised in the determination of thiosulphate by oxidation to sulphate with alkaline ferricyanide. Both direct and indirect procedures were developed. In the former the titration was carried out either ways using amperometric detection. In the latter, both the excess ferricyanide and ferrocyanide formed, were determined by arsenious oxide or iodometrically with thiosulphate, and by ceric sulphate respectively. The high conversion factor, availability of alternate procedures, use of potassium ferricyanide as a standard oxidant with a high molecular weight are characteristic features of this redox procedure.     

Structure Analysis of Methyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐3‐(p‐methylphenyl)‐4‐oxo‐2‐quinazolinyl thiopropionate

The crystal structure of methyl‐3, 4‐dihydro‐3‐(p‐methylphenyl)‐4‐oxo‐2‐quinazolinyl thiopropionate (C₁₉H₁₈N₂O₃S) has been determined by X‐ray diffraction methods. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with unit cell parameters: a = 9.094(2), b = 9.428(3), c = 10.612(3) Å, α = 94.55(3), β = 95.44(2), γ = 106.75(3)° and Z = 2. The structure has been refined to an R‐value of 0.054 for 2533 observed reflections [F_o > 4σ(F_o)]. The quinazoline moiety and the methyl substituted phenyl ring is almost planar. The dihedral angle between these two moieties is 84.96(8)° . The crystal structure is stabilized by an intermolecular C‐H … O interaction.