Effective Heuristics for the GPS Survey Network of Malta: Simulated Annealing and Tabu Search Techniques

A GPS network can be defined as a set of stations, co-ordinated by a series of sessions formed by placing receivers on the stations. This paper shows how to search for the best order in which to observe these sessions giving the cheapest schedule. The complexity of observing GPS networks increases with their size and become highly difficult to solve effectively. To obtain good methods to solve this problem a new area of research is implemented. This area is based on developed heuristic techniques that provide an optimal or near optimal solution for large networks. Comparing their outcome in terms of solution quality and computational effort proves the performance of the developed techniques.     

Existence results for non-linear singular integral equations with hilbert kernel in banach spaces

A class of non-linear singular integral equations with Hilbert kernel and a related class of quasi-linear singular integro-differential equations are investigated by applying Schauder's fixed point theorem in Banach spaces.      

Fast terminal sliding mode controller design for nonlinear second‐order systems with time‐varying uncertainties

This article investigates a novel fast terminal sliding mode control approach combined with global sliding surface structure for the robust tracking control of nonlinear second‐order systems with time‐varying uncertainties. The suggested control technique is formulated based on the Lyapunov stability theory and guarantees the existence of the sliding mode around the sliding surface in a finite time. Using the new form of switching surface, the reaching phase elimination and the robustness improvement of the whole system are satisfied. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed technique. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 239–244, 2015     

Embedding optimization in computational science workflows

Workflows support the automation of scientific processes, providing mechanisms that underpin modern computational science. They facilitate access to remote instruments, databases and parallel and distributed computers. Importantly, they allow software pipelines that perform multiple complex simulations (leveraging distributed platforms), with one simulation driving another. Such an environment is ideal for computational science experiments that require the evaluation of a range of different scenarios “in silico” in an attempt to find ones that optimize a particular outcome. However, in general, existing workflow tools do not incorporate optimization algorithms, and thus whilst users can specify simulation pipelines, they need to invoke the workflow as a stand-alone computation within an external optimization tool. Moreover, many existing workflow engines do not leverage parallel and distributed computers, making them unsuitable for executing computational science simulations. To solve this problem, we have developed a methodology for integrating optimization algorithms directly into workflows. We implement a range of generic actors for an existing workflow system called Kepler, and discuss how they can be combined in flexible ways to support various different design strategies. We illustrate the system by applying it to an existing bio-engineering design problem running on a Grid of distributed clusters.     

Computational study of decaying annular vortex flow using the Rε/k − ε turbulence model

In this article, we present three dimensional CFD study of turbulent vortex flow in an annular passage using OpenFOAM 1.6. The vortex flow is generated by introducing the flow through a tangential entry to the passage. For the analysis presented in this article, turbulence was modeled using the R_ε/k − ε model, in addition, a comparison between such model with the standard k − ε model was conducted and discussed. The main characteristics of the flow such as vortex structure and recirculation zone were investigated. It was found that flow is subjected to Rankine vortex structure with three forced vortex regimes and a free vortex region near to the outer wall. The phenomenon of vortex decay was investigated by depicting the swirl number trend along the axial direction of the flow domain. It was found that the vortex decay is subjected to an exponential decay behavior. New coefficients for the exponential decay correlation were derived based on local values of velocity components in different radial planes.     

Mössbauer study of Zn x Ni5/3−x Fe1Sb1/3O4 spinel ferrite

The antimony substituted nickel ferrite Zn_xNi_5/3–xFe₁Sb_1/3O₄ with different values ofx are prepared, checked by x-ray and studied with⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy over a wide temperature range. Characteristic spectra of paramagnetic, magnetic and electronic relaxation types for the different compositions have been observed. The interpretation of the spectra allows the cation distribution of the compounds to be deduced. The Mössbauer effect parameters at different temperatures are calculated and their dependence on the substitution of non-magnetic Zn⁺² for the magnetic nickel ions are discussed. The temperature dependence of the hyperfine magnetic fields and the respective Néel temperature points are obtained.     

Exact solutions for nonlinear partial fractional differential equations

In this article,we use the fractional complex transformation to convert nonlinear partial fractional differential equations to nonlinear ordinary differential equations.We use the improved(G’/G)-expansion function method to calculate the exact solutions to the time-and space-fractional derivative foam drainage equation and the time-and space-fractional derivative nonlinear KdV equation.This method is efficient and powerful for solving wide classes of nonlinear evolution fractional order equations.     

Theoretical study on interaction of cytochrome f and plastocyanin complex by a simple coarse-grained model with molecular crowding effect

ABSTRACT

We present a simple coarse-grained model with the molecular crowding effect in solvent to investigate the structure and dynamics of protein complexes including association and/or dissociation processes and investigate some physical properties such as the structure and the reaction rate from the viewpoint of the hydrophobic intermolecular interactions of protein complex. In the present coarse-grained model, a function depending upon the density of hydrophobic amino acid residues in a binding area of the complex is introduced, and the function involves the molecular crowding effect for the intermolecular interactions of hydrophobic amino acid residues between proteins. We propose a hydrophobic intermolecular potential energy between proteins by using the density-dependent function. The present coarse-grained model is applied to the complex of cytochrome f and plastocyanin by using the Langevin dynamics simulation to investigate some physical properties such as the complex structure, the electron transfer reaction rate constant from plastocyanin to cytochrome f and so on. We find that for proceeding the electron transfer reaction, the distance between metals in their active sites is necessary within about 18 Å. We discuss some typical complex structures formed in the present simulation in relation to the molecular crowding effect on hydrophobic interactions.