A symmetry-adapted force-constant lattice-dynamical model for single-walled carbon nanotubes

We develop a lattice-dynamical model based on the screw symmetry of single-walled carbon nanotubes that allows for reducing the size of the dynamical matrix to six, for all tube chiralities. The model uses force constants derived from fitting to the phonon dispersion of 2D graphite. We present the calculation procedure in a clear and transparent way, making the model easier to follow. We calculate the phonon dispersions of a number of nanotubes of different chiralities. The splitting of two highest Raman active modes and the radial breathing mode frequency are studied by changing the tube diameter and chirality.     

Two differential equation systems for equality-constrained optimization

This paper presents two differential systems, involving first and second order derivatives of problem functions, respectively, for solving equality-constrained optimization problems. Local minimizers to the optimization problems are proved to be asymptotically stable equilibrium points of the two differential systems. First, the Euler discrete schemes with constant stepsizes for the two differential systems are presented and their convergence theorems are demonstrated. Second, we construct algorithms in which directions are computed by these two systems and the stepsizes are generated by Armijo line search to solve the original equality-constrained optimization problem. The constructed algorithms and the Runge–Kutta method are employed to solve the Euler discrete schemes and the differential equation systems, respectively. We prove that the discrete scheme based on the differential equation system with the second order information has the locally quadratic convergence rate under the local Lipschitz condition. The numerical results given here show that Runge–Kutta method has better stability and higher precision and the numerical method based on the differential equation system with the second information is faster than the other one.     

A proof of Culter’s theorem on the existence of periodic orbits in polygonal outer billiards

We prove a recent theorem by C. Culter every polygonal outer billiard in the affine plane has a periodic trajectory.      

Orbifold fibrations of Eschenburg spaces

Most of the few known examples of compact Riemannian manifolds with positive sectional curvature are the total space of a Riemannian submersion. In this article we show that this is true for all known examples, if we enlarge the category to orbifold fibrations. For this purpose we study all almost free isometric circle actions on positively curved Eschenburg spaces, which give rise to principle orbifold bundle structures, and we examine in detail their geometric properties. In particular, we obtain a new family of 6-dimensional orbifolds with positive sectional curvature whose singular locus consists of just two points.      

Existence and Ergodicity for the Two-Dimensional Stochastic Magneto-Hydrodynamics Equations

The paper proves the existence of solutions to the magneto-hydrodynamics equations driven by random exterior forcing terms both in the velocity and in the magnetic field. The existence and uniqueness of an invariant measure is also obtained via coupling methods.     

Decision support tools for ambulance dispatch and relocation

In this paper, the development of decision support tools for dynamic ambulance relocation and automatic ambulance dispatching is described. The ambulance dispatch problem is to choose which ambulance to send to a patient. The dynamic ambulance relocation problem occurs in the operational control of ambulances. The objective is to find new locations for some of the ambulances, to increase the preparedness in the area of responsibility. Preparedness is a way of evaluating the ability to serve potential patients with ambulances now and in the future. Computational tests using a simulation model show that the tools are beneficial in reducing the waiting periods for the patients.     

Differential effects of synchronous and asynchronous multifinger coactivation on human tactile performance

Background  

Repeated execution of a tactile task enhances task performance. In the present study we sought to improve tactile performance with unattended activation-based learning processes (i.e., focused stimulation of dermal receptors evoking neural coactivation (CA)). Previous studies show that the application of CA to a single finger reduced the stationary two-point discrimination threshold and significantly increased tactile acuity. These changes were accompanied by an expansion of the cortical finger representation in primary somatosensory cortex (SI). Here we investigated the effect of different types of multifinger CA on the tactile performance of each finger of the right hand.     

A floating-point genetic algorithm for solving the unit commitment problem

This paper proposes a floating-point genetic algorithm (FPGA) to solve the unit commitment problem (UCP). Based on the characteristics of typical load demand, a floating-point chromosome representation and an encoding–decoding scheme are designed to reduce the complexities in handling the minimum up/down time limits. Strategic parameters of the FPGA are characterized in detail, i.e., the evaluation function and its constraints, population size, operation styles of selection, crossover operation and probability, mutation operation and probability. A dynamic combination scheme of genetic operators is formulated to explore and exploit the FPGA in the non-convex solution space and multimodal objective function. Experiment results show that the FPGA is a more effective technique among the various styles of genetic algorithms, which can be applied to the practical scheduling tasks in utility power systems.