Coincidence Doppler shift lifetime measurements in 73,74Se and 74Br using the EUROBALL Cluster cube array

Subpicosecond lifetimes of high spin states in the rotational nuclei ⁷³Se, ⁷⁴Se and ⁷⁴Br have been measured using the ⁵⁸Ni +¹⁹F compound reaction and the Doppler Shift Attenuation method. Six EUROBALL Cluster detectors arranged in cube geometry allowed us to select the relevant transitions in γγ coincidence mode. The high counting statistics achieved in this setup also facilitated the determination of average sidefeeding times, which were found to agree rather well with the results of Monte-Carlo calculations of the particle and γ-ray evaporation process. The deduced quadrupole strengths and deformations are compared with the results of previous measurements and the predictions of Cranked Shell Model calculations. In ⁷⁴Br, a large and constant prolate deformation of β₂= 0.37(1) was found for the presumed 4⁺ and 3⁻ two-quasiparticle bands. Received: 2 July 1999     

Monte Carlo hyper-heuristics for examination timetabling

Automating the neighbourhood selection process in an iterative approach that uses multiple heuristics is not a trivial task. Hyper-heuristics are search methodologies that not only aim to provide a general framework for solving problem instances at different difficulty levels in a given domain, but a key goal is also to extend the level of generality so that different problems from different domains can also be solved. Indeed, a major challenge is to explore how the heuristic design process might be automated. Almost all existing iterative selection hyper-heuristics performing single point search contain two successive stages; heuristic selection and move acceptance. Different operators can be used in either of the stages. Recent studies explore ways of introducing learning mechanisms into the search process for improving the performance of hyper-heuristics. In this study, a broad empirical analysis is performed comparing Monte Carlo based hyper-heuristics for solving capacitated examination timetabling problems. One of these hyper-heuristics is an approach that overlaps two stages and presents them in a single algorithmic body. A learning heuristic selection method (L) operates in harmony with a simulated annealing move acceptance method using reheating (SA) based on some shared variables. Yet, the heuristic selection and move acceptance methods can be separated as the proposed approach respects the common selection hyper-heuristic framework. The experimental results show that simulated annealing with reheating as a hyper-heuristic move acceptance method has significant potential. On the other hand, the learning hyper-heuristic using simulated annealing with reheating move acceptance (L?CSA) performs poorly due to certain weaknesses, such as the choice of rewarding mechanism and the evaluation of utility values for heuristic selection as compared to some other hyper-heuristics in examination timetabling. Trials with other heuristic selection methods confirm that the best alternative for the simulated annealing with reheating move acceptance for examination timetabling is a previously proposed strategy known as the choice function.     

The practice and theory of automated timetabling (2016)

Annals of Operations Research -     

Voltammetric and spectroscopic analysis of interactions of pyridine mono-carboxylic acid isomers with cysteine at physiological pH

The interactions of pyridine mono-carboxylic acid isomers (PCAIs) (nicotinic acid (NA), isonicotinic acid (INA) and picolinic acid (PA)) with cysteine (RSH) at physiological pH (7.40) have been investigated by square-wave and cyclic voltammetry (SWV and CV), and UV-Vis and infrared spectroscopy. By the addition of isomeric pyridine mono-carboxylic acids, the reduction peak current of mercurous cysteine thiolate could be decreased and also its peak potential E _p was shifted to more positive values. Also, the significant changes in formal potential E ⁰′, electron transfer coefficient α and electrode reaction standard rate constant k _s of mercurous cysteine thiolate (Hg₂(SR)₂) in the presence and absence of PCAIs were observed. The results of voltammetric measurements indicated that binding reactions were occurred between PCAIs and RSH and new electroactive molecular complexes were formed, which resulted in the decrease of free cysteine concentration and the decrease of the reduction peak current of mercurous cysteine thiolate. The logarithmic values of binding constants of NA, INA and PA were calculated as 13.4, 17.7 and 18.9, respectively. The binding ratios for NA-RSH, INA-RSH and PA-RSH complexes were determined as 1: 3, 1: 4 and 1: 4, respectively. Both UV-Vis and FTIR studies also confirmed these interaction reactions.     

A brief survey on the copper‐catalyzed allylation of alkylzinc and Grignard reagents under Barbier conditions

The same regioselectivity can be obtained in the CuI catalyzed allylic coupling of n‐butylzinc reagents prepared by either pre‐transmetallation or in situ transmetallation of Grignard reagents in the presence of allylic partner and catalyst. n‐Butylzinc bromide and di‐n‐butylzinc undergo γ‐selective allylation whereas tri‐n‐butylzincate gives preferential α‐selectivity. The regioselectivity obtained in the reaction of n‐butyl bromide and E‐crotyl chloride in the presence of Mg and CuCN is parallel to the coupling of preformed n‐butylmagnesium bromide. It is remarkable that the regiochemical outcome of copper catalyzed alkyl‐allyl coupling can be controlled by using Grignard reagents prepared under Barbier conditions and alkylzincs prepared by in situ transmetallation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Global volume conservation in unsteady free surface flows with energy absorbing far‐end boundaries

A wave absorption filter for the far‐end boundary of semi‐infinite large reservoirs is developed for numerical simulation of unsteady free surface flows. Mathematical model is based on finite volume solution of the Navier–Stokes equations and depth‐integrated continuity equation to track the free surface. The Sommerfeld boundary condition is applied at the far‐end of the truncated computational domain. A dissipation zone is formed by applying artificial pressure on water surface to dissipate the kinetic energy of the outgoing waves. The computational scheme is tested to verify the conservation of total fluid volume in the domain for long simulation durations. Combination of the Sommerfeld boundary and dissipation zone can effectively minimize reflections and prevent cumulative changes in total fluid volume in the domain. Solitary wave, nonlinear periodic waves and irregular waves are simulated to illustrate the numerical developments. Earthquake excited surface waves and nonlinear hydrodynamic pressures in a dam–reservoir are computed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Holz und Holzimpr?gnierung

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