Achieving matrix consistency in AHP through linearization

Matrices used in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) compile expert knowledge as pairwise comparisons among various criteria and alternatives in decision-making problems. Many items are usually considered in the same comparison process and so judgment is not completely consistent – and sometimes the level of consistency may be unacceptable. Different methods have been used in the literature to achieve consistency for an inconsistent matrix. In this paper we use a linearization technique that provides the closest consistent matrix to a given inconsistent matrix using orthogonal projection in a linear space. As a result, consistency can be achieved in a closed form. This is simpler and cheaper than for methods relying on optimisation, which are iterative by nature. We apply the process to a real-world decision-making problem in an important industrial context, namely, management of water supply systems regarding leakage policies – an aspect of water management to which great sums of money are devoted every year worldwide.     

Nickelacyclobutanes: Versatile Reactivity and Role as Catalytic Intermediates

Metallacyclobutanes are intermediates in several catalytic cycles such as olefin metathesis and cyclopropanation. Furthermore, nickel is attracting attention as a versatile, earth-abundant metal in developing new homogeneous catalytic transformations. In this context, the current literature on nickelacyclobutanes and their role in catalysis is reviewed. First, catalytic reactions involving a (putative) nickelacyclobutane intermediate are discussed, including cyclopropanations and various transformations of methylenecyclopropane. Second, studies of the stoichiometric reactivity of nickelacyclobutanes relying on their direct observation or even isolation are detailed. In particular, the relationship between the structure of nickelacyclobutanes and their reactivity is highlighted. Finally, future prospects for the development of new catalytic transformations relying on nickelacyclobutane intermediates are briefly outlined.     

Municipal Water Demand Forecasting: Tools for Intervention Time Series

This article introduces some approaches to common issues arising in real cases of water demand prediction. Occurrences of negative data gathered by the network metering system and demand changes due to closure of valves or changes in consumer behavior are considered. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have a principal role modeling both circumstances. First, we propose the use of ANNs as a tool to reconstruct any anomalous time series information. Next, we use what we call interrupted neural networks (I-NN) as an alternative to more classical intervention ARIMA models. Besides, the use of hybrid models that combine not only the modeling ability of ARIMA to cope with the time series linear part, but also to explain nonlinearities found in their residuals, is proposed. These models have shown promising results when tested on a real database and represent a boost to the use and the applicability of ANNs.     

Gametophyte morphology of Platycerium andinum Baker and Platycerium wandae Racif

This paper describes the morphology of the sexual phase and spores of Platycerium andinum and Platycerium wandae. Spores were sown in Thompson's media and the cultures were kept at 24–25 °C, with 12 h light/darkness photoperiod. Developmental phases were fixed in FAA and processed for observation with the scanning electron microscope. Spores of both species are monolete; Vittaria-type germination and Aspidium-type prothallial development were observed. In the phase of development, the gametophytes develop unicellular secretory and as they mature, develop bifurcated or branched pluricellular trichomes, both in the cushion and near the meristematic zone. Adult gametophytes in culture are cordiform-spatulate to cordiform-reniform, most are unisexual and a few are bisexual. Gametangia belong to the leptosporangiate fern type. Archegonial morphology is uniform, with an elongate, thin neck curved toward the base of the gametophyte. Antheridia have a basal cell, an annular cell and an undivided opercular cell. Three hundred days after the spores were sown, sporophytes still had not developed. In both species, some spores germinate inside the sporangial capsule (intra-sporangial germination). We provide new information on morphogenesis in the genus Platycerium.     

Development of a gas chromatography — mass spectrometry method for the determination of carbon disulfide in the atmosphere

Carbon disulfide (CS₂), a relevant reduced sulfur compound in air, is well-known for its malodor and its significant effect on global atmospheric chemistry. Therefore, a reliable method for determining CS₂ in atmospheric samples has been developed based on solid-phase sampling and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Two types of solid-phase sampling supports (Orbo-32 and SKC) and the elution with organic solvents — hexane and toluene — were evaluated for low-volume outdoor sampling. Recovery studies and the standard addition method were carried out to demonstrate the proper determination of CS₂ in the absence of the influence of interferences such as ozone, hydrogen sulfide or water — important atmospheric pollutants —. The proposed methodology was validated by performing experiments in a high-volume smog chamber and by comparison with two reference optical methods, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) installed in these facilities. Satisfactory analytical parameters were reported: fast analysis, a correct repeatability of 6 ± 1% and reproducibility of 14 ± 3%, and low detection limits of 0.3–0.9 pg m^? 3. Finally, the method was successfully applied to industrial samples near a pulp factory area, where a high correlation between industrial emissions and reported carbon disulfide concentrations were observed.     

A Physical Approach to Tsirelson’s Problem

Tsirelson’s problem deals with how to model separate measurements in quantum mechanics. In addition to its theoretical importance, the resolution of Tsirelson’s problem could have great consequences for device independent quantum key distribution and certified randomness. Unfortunately, understanding present literature on the subject requires a heavy mathematical background. In this paper, we introduce quansality, a new theoretical concept that allows to reinterpret Tsirelson’s problem from a foundational point of view. Using quansality as a guide, we recover all known results on Tsirelson’s problem in a clear and intuitive way.     

Spiral patterns in thermal convection

We report on spiral type convection patterns obtained from a numerical treatment of a generalized Swift-Hohenberg equation.     

A thermodynamical approach to continued fraction expansions for the shear viscosity

In a thermodynamical framework, evolution equations for the fast (non-conserved) variables are obtained, which in particular cases lead to equations of the Ginzburg-Landau type. The present scheme leads, in a natural way, to a continued fraction expansion for the transport coefficients using thermodynamical assumptions only.     

Effect of Chloride Ions on the Hydrolysis of Trivalent Lanthanum,Praseodymium and Lutetium in Aqueous Solutions of 2 <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> Ionic Strength

The solubility product of the solid hydroxides and the first hydrolysis constants of trivalent ions of lanthanum, praseodymium and lutetium, were determined in 2 M NaClO₄(aq) and 2 M NaCl(aq) at 303 K, where M denotes the concentration in mol-L⁻¹. Solubility diagrams (pLn_(aq)−pC_H) were measured by means of a radiochemical method. The pC_H borderlines of precipitation and the solubility products were determined from these diagrams. The fitting of the solubility equation with the experimental values from the pLn_(aq)−pC_H diagrams also allowed the calculation of the first hydrolysis constants and the solubility products. In separate experiments, the stability constants for the first monohydroxide species were determined by means of potentiometric pH titrations, where the data were treated with both the program SUPERQUAD and by fitting of the results to the mean ligand number equation. Values of the log₁₀ < eqid20 > _1,Cl constants for the LnCl²⁺ species were also calculated at 2 M ionic strength and 303 K, using the hydrolysis constants obtained in both perchlorate and chloride media. The quantitative effects of chloride ions on the hydrolysis reactions and solubilities were determined for these three rare-earths spanning the lanthanide series.