Evaluating Recruitment Strategies Using Fuzzy Set Theory in Stochastic Manpower Planning

Abstract

One aspect of Manpower Planning is the investigation of wastage and internal transitions for homogeneous groups of employees in a Manpower system. In the relevant literature, the attainability of a desired stock vector was studied under control by recruitment for time-discrete Markov models. These approaches allow choosing a proper recruitment strategy, resulting in an attainable vector most similar to a desired one. In this article, this problem will be discussed under stochastic assumptions for attainability after one step. Based on fuzzy set theory, a procedure is introduced that allows evaluating and comparing recruitment strategies, resulting in the determination of a most preferable strategy.     

Nuclear spin lattice relaxation in antiferromagnets: Field dependence of the dipolar-induced two-magnon process

We consider the role of a magnetic field on the dipolar-induced two-magnon process for the nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in antiferromagnets.     

Derivation of Maximum Entropy Principles in Two-Dimensional Turbulence via Large Deviations

The continuum limit of lattice models arising in two-dimensional turbulence is analyzed by means of the theory of large deviations. In particular, the Miller–Robert continuum model of equilibrium states in an ideal fluid and a modification of that model due to Turkington are examined in a unified framework, and the maximum entropy principles that govern these models are rigorously derived by a new method. In this method, a doubly indexed, measure-valued random process is introduced to represent the coarse-grained vorticity field. The natural large deviation principle for this process is established and is then used to derive the equilibrium conditions satisfied by the most probable macrostates in the continuum models. The physical implications of these results are discussed, and some modeling issues of importance to the theory of long-lived, large-scale coherent vortices in turbulent flows are clarified.     

Exact minimum-time control of a distributed system using a traveling wave formulation

In this paper, the minimum-time control problem for rest-to-rest translation of a one-dimensional second-order distributed parameter system by means of two bounded control inputs at the ends is solved. A traveling wave formulation allows the problem to be solved exactly, i.e., without modal truncation. It is found that the minimum-time control is not bang-bang, as it is for systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom. Rather, it is bang-off-bang, where a period of control inactivity in the middle of the control time interval is required for synchronization with waves propagated through the system.This research was supported in part by AFOSR Grant No. AFOSR-90-0297. The helpful suggestions of the referees are gratefully acknowledged.     

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Tussilago farfara (L.) essential oil from Quebec,Canada

Abstract

The chemical composition of Tussilago farfara L. essential oil from the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region of Quebec, Canada was analyzed by gas chromatography–flame ionisation detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the antibacterial activity of the oil was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Forty-five (45) compounds were identified from the GC profile. The main components were 1-nonene (40.1%), α-phellandrene (26.0%) and ρ-cymene (6.6%). The essential oil demonstrated antibacterial activity against E. coli (MIC₅₀ = 468 µg·mL^?1; MIC₉₀ = 6869 µg·mL^?1) and S. aureus (MIC₅₀ = 368 µg·mL^?1; MIC₉₀ = 773 µg·mL^?1). Dodecanoic acid was found to be active against both bacteria having a MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of 16.4 µg·mL^?1 and 95 µg·mL^?1, respectively for E. coli and a MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ of 9.8 µg·mL^?1 and 27.3 µg·mL^?1, respectively for S. aureus. In addition, 1-decene and (E)-cyclodecene were also found to be active against E. coli.     

Antiferromagnetic linear chains in the crystalline free radical tanol

TANOL (tetramethyl-2,2,6,6, piperidinol-4, oxyl-1), which shows a broad maximum in its specific heat near 4 K was known as an example of the Heisenberg type one-dimensional antiferromagnet. The specific heat has been measured down to 0.35 K. A sharp peak appears at 0.49 K (T_N) and a T³ law is observed in the low temperature region. The interchain interactions which can be deduced are the same order of magnitude as the spin-spin dipolar interactions. The linear chain characteristics of TANOL are compared to those of some other products.     

Magnetic properties of crystalline and amorphous DyAg from μSR measurements

Muon spin relaxation in crystalline and amorphous DyAg has been studied in the paramagnetic and magnetically ordered regimes. In cr-DyAg the critical slowing down of the Dy³⁺ spin fluctuation is seen on approaching T_N = 60 K. In the ordered state we observe a Lorentzian field distribution. The muon spin relaxation in am-DyAg approaches at lower temperatures a root exponential law usually encountered in spin glasses.