Structuring Multi-attribute Value Hierarchies

The first stage in a multi-attribute value analysis is the development of a hierarchical structure of the attributes of the problem. This paper reports the process of developing such a structure for the problem of choosing a suitable mode of transport for radioactive waste. The initial hierarchy of attributes went through several stages of development as new insights emerged about the nature of the problem. Some of the reasons behind this restructuring are discussed, and several important questions about the structuring process are formulated.     

Ergodic theory and the Strong Law of Large Numbers on Riesz spaces

In [W.-C. Kuo, C.C.A. Labuschagne, B.A. Watson, Discrete-time stochastic processes on Riesz spaces, Indag. Math. (N.S.) 15 (3) (2004) 435-451], we introduced the concepts of conditional expectations, martingales and stopping times on Riesz spaces. Here we formulate and prove order theoretic analogues of the Birkhoff, Hopf and Wiener ergodic theorems and the Strong Law of Large Numbers on Riesz spaces (vector lattices).     

The solution of orthogonal Procrustes problems for a family of orthogonally invariant norms

The orthogonal Procrustes problem involves finding an orthogonal matrix which transforms one given matrix into another in the least-squares sense, and thus it requires the minimization of the Frobenius matrix norm. We consider, the solution of this problem for a family of orthogonally invariant norms which includes the Frobenius norm as a special case.     

A telescope illumination system for a wide-field endoscope

Endoscopic illumination systems conduct light down a built-in fibre-optic bundle to illuminate the object. Many modern endoscopes employ wide-field imaging optical systems and therefore require an illuminating beam of large divergence. This is commonly provided by placing a strong diverging lens at the far end of the fibre bundle, but it results in a poor uniformity of illumination in the object space. This paper describes the design of a telescopic illumination system to overcome this problem.     

Weierstrass Points and Regular Maps

It was shown by G. A. Jones and the first author in [8] that underlying any map on a compact orientable surface S there is a natural complex structure making S into a Riemann surface. In this paper we consider regular maps and enquire about the Weierstrass points on the underlying Riemann surface. We are particularly interested to know when these are geometric, i.e. whether they lie at vertices, face-centres or edge-centres of the map.     

Equivalence of inverse Sturm-Liouville problems with boundary conditions rationally dependent on the eigenparameter

Three inverse problems for a Sturm-Liouville boundary value problem −y″+qy=λy, y(0)cosα=y′(0)sinα and y′(1)=f(λ)y(1) are considered for rational f. It is shown that the Weyl m-function uniquely determines α, f, and q, and is in turn uniquely determined by either two spectra from different values of α or by the Prüfer angle. For this it is necessary to produce direct results, of independent interest, on asymptotics and oscillation.     

Infrared combination and difference bands of the NO dimer

The mid-infrared (1500-3800 cm⁻¹) absorption spectrum of gaseous nitric oxide has been studied at low temperature (99 K) with a long absorption path (160 m) in order to observe weak combination, difference, and overtone bands of the NO dimer. About ten new bands were assigned with greater or lesser certainty. Combined with previous results, they lead to a set of 12 secure and 7 tentative vibrational term values for (NO)₂, essentially doubling our knowledge of NO dimer vibrational states. The strongest non-fundamental bands in this region, other than the ν₁ (symmetric N-O stretch) + ν₅ (asymmetric N-O stretch) overtone, involve combinations of ν₅ with ν₃ (intermolecular stretch). Excitation of ν₅ results in increased frequencies for the intermolecular modes ν₂, ν₃, and ν₄. A new value of 155.5 cm⁻¹ was obtained for ν₄, the elusive infrared-inactive out-of-plane fundamental vibration.