Adaptive linear combination of heuristic orderings in constructing examination timetables

In this paper, we investigate adaptive linear combinations of graph coloring heuristics with a heuristic modifier to address the examination timetabling problem. We invoke a normalisation strategy for each parameter in order to generalise the specific problem data. Two graph coloring heuristics were used in this study (largest degree and saturation degree). A score for the difficulty of assigning each examination was obtained from an adaptive linear combination of these two heuristics and examinations in the list were ordered based on this value. The examinations with the score value representing the higher difficulty were chosen for scheduling based on two strategies. We tested for single and multiple heuristics with and without a heuristic modifier with different combinations of weight values for each parameter on the Toronto and ITC2007 benchmark data sets. We observed that the combination of multiple heuristics with a heuristic modifier offers an effective way to obtain good solution quality. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach delivers promising results. We conclude that this adaptive linear combination of heuristics is a highly effective method and simple to implement.     

The t-Tone Chromatic Number of Random Graphs

A proper 2-tone k-coloring of a graph is a labeling of the vertices with elements from \({\binom{[k]}{2}}\) such that adjacent vertices receive disjoint labels and vertices distance 2 apart receive distinct labels. The 2-tone chromatic number of a graph G, denoted τ ₂(G) is the smallest k such that G admits a proper 2-tone k coloring. In this paper, we prove that w.h.p. for \({p\geq Cn^{-1/4} {\rm ln}^{9/4}n, \tau_2(G_{n, p}) = (2 + o(1))\chi(G_{n, p})}\) where \({\chi}\) represents the ordinary chromatic number. For sparse random graphs with p = c/n, c constant, we prove that \({\tau_2(G_{n, p}) = \lceil{({\sqrt{8\Delta + 1} + 5})/{2}}}\) where Δ represents the maximum degree. For the more general concept of t-tone coloring, we achieve similar results.     

Robust Markov perfect equilibria

In this paper we study a Markov decision model with quasi-hyperbolic discounting and transition probability function depending on an unknown parameter. Assuming that the set of parameters is finite, the sets of states and actions are Borel and the transition probabilities satisfy some additivity conditions and are atomless, we prove the existence of a non-randomised robust Markov perfect equilibrium.     

Use of a Dynamic Light Scattering Technique for SDS/Water/Pentanol Studies

The interpretation of micelle/aggregate size obtained by use of the DLS technique for SDS/water/pentanol systems was discussed by comparison of the results of measurement with theoretical data. For most of the studied systems, the apparent radii (R _h,app ) did not satisfactorily characterize the size of the aggregates (R _h,app  < 1 nm). The use of a correction factor (f = 0.26) confirmed that the discrepancies were associated with the electrostatic intermicellar interactions. However, the fuzzy optical interface between dispersed and dispersing phases can also be the reason of such results. An increase of pentanol content caused a decrease of the droplet radius in w/o systems but in o/w systems the changes were negligible.     

PROPERTIES OF HIGHLY DISPERSED SILICAS PRECIPITATED IN AN ORGANIC MEDIUM

Silicas were obtained using a precipitation technique from metasilicate solution with an acidic agent. The precipitation process includes formation of silica particles and their aggregation.

Alcohol solutions were used in the production process of the highly dispersed silicas, resulting in a partial blocking of the silica surface silanol groups and, thus, in a decreased hydrophilicity of silica.

The precipitated silicas were subjected to physicochemical, structural, and microscopic evaluation, and their surface properties were examined. The effect of alcohols on the silica particle size distributions and on hydrophobicity of silica surface was tested.     

Facile and Versatile Room-Temperature Synthesis of N,N-Disubstituted Cyanoacetamides from Malonic Ester Chloride

A general method for the synthesis of various N,N-disubstituted cyanoacetamides from readily available methyl malonyl chloride and secondary amines, including sterically demanding aliphatic and aromatic amines, is described.     

AFM study of advanced composite materials for organic photovoltaic cells with active layer based on P3HT:PCBM and chiral photosensitive liquid crystalline dopants

Advanced composite materials aimed for construction of organic photovoltaic cells have been studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The composites are based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), [6,6]-phenyl C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and two different chiral photosensitive liquid crystalline (LC) materials. The objective of the study was to examine the nanoscale morphology of the active layer without and after annealing at specific temperature. The preliminary results of AFM observation of the morphological changes done on the investigated composites revealed an increase in the surface ordering. The surface area ratio decreases for both studied composites, while the basic roughness parameters (S_a and S_q) have been found toughly dependent on the structure of the photosensitive LC dopant.     

Metallomesogens: enaminoketone derivatives of the 3-oxa, 3-thia- and 3-selena-butyric amides

Liquid crystalline Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of tetradentate ligands, enaminoketones and 3-oxa; 3-thia- and 3-selena-butyramides were synthesized and examined. The compounds show very low C ₁ symmetry resulting from the chiral donor atoms — oxygen, sulphur and selenium — incorporated in the butyric amide moiety. This chirality can be observed in NMR studies. The complexes exhibit enantiotropic as well as monotropic calamitic SmA and N phases.     

Alignment of liquid crystal and dichroic dye molecules in mixed Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films

A study of dichroic dye-liquid crystal mixtures (guest-host systems) in monolayers formed at a gas-liquid interface (Langmuir films) and at a solid surface (Langmuir-Blodgett films) has been made. As a host 4- n -octyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (8CB) or 4- n -pentyl-4″-cyano- p -terphenyl (5CT) were chosen, while three dichroic azo dyes with various molecular structures were used as guest species. The dyes were added to the liquid crystal matrices at a concentration corresponding to the whole range of molar fractions and the surface pressure-mean molecular area isotherms for Langmuir films were recorded. On the basis of the isotherms, conclusions about the molecular organization and the miscibility of the components in the ultrathin films were drawn. The Langmuir films were transferred onto the quartz plates at surface pressures below the collapse point. The polarized absorption spectra of the Langmuir-Blodgett films were recorded and information about the alignment and intermolecular interactions in the mixtures of the non-amphiphilic dichroic dyes and the liquid crystals with strongly polar terminal groups were obtained.