Optimal life strategies in organisms exposed to recurrent critical events

The optimal partition of energy between survival and reproduction is considered for a population subject to recurrent and potentially lethal critical events. The best strategy is found by maximizing fitness, a functional derived from the Lotka equation. The dynamics is governed by a second-order, age-varying, nonlinear system. The energy storage and the probability of survival are the state variables, while the amounts of energy placed into and withdrawn from the storage are the controls. The optimal life strategy is shown to be as follows: build up the storage at the very beginning of life, and then progressively deplete it to resist the critical events.This work was partially supported by MURST Project Ricerche sui Fondamenti della Conservazione della Natura. The authors would like to thank C. Ricci for suggesting the problem and C. Matessi for helpful discussion.     

Quantum model of selective multiphoton processes: The role of external (field) and internal (anharmonic coupling) detunings

Quantum equations of motion describing the energy transfer dynamics via intramolecular anharmonic coupling are presented and solved numerically. Dynamical features of the average excitations of a homogeneous system (SF₆) and a heterogeneous system (H/W) are quantitatively discussed in terms of the intramolecular vibrational relaxation (IVR) rates. Possible mechanisms of surface-enhanced desorption via low-power laser radiation are proposed.This work was supported in part by the Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFSC), United States Air Force, under Grant AFOSR-82-0046 and the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CHE-8022874Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar (1975–82)     

QSPR Modeling of Gibbs Free Energy of Organic Compounds by Weighting of Nearest Neighboring Codes

We examine the encoding of chemical structure of organic compounds by Labeled Hydrogen-Filled Graphs (LHFGs). Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships (QSPR) for a representative set of 150 organic molecules have been derived by means of the optimization of correlation weights of local invariants of the LHFGs. We have tested as local invariants Morgan extended connectivity of zero- and first order, numbers of path of length 2 (P2) and valence shells of distance of 2 (S2) associated with each atom in the molecular structure, and the Nearest Neighboring Codes (NNC). The best statistical characteristics for the Gibbs free energy has been obtained for the NNC weighting. Statistical parameters corresponding to this model are the following n = 100, r² = 0.9974, s = 5.136 kJ/mol, F = 38319 (training set); n = 50, r² = 0.9990, s = 3.405 kJ/mol, F = 48717 (test set). Some possible further developments are pointed out.     

Value function and optimality conditions for semilinear control problems

This paper is concerned with optimal control problems of Mayer and Bolza type for systems governed by a semilinear state equationx(t)=Ax(t) + f(t, x(t), u(t)), u(t) U, whereA is the infinitesimal generator of a strongly continuous semigroup in a Banach spaceX. We prove necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality and then use these conditions to investigate properties of the value function related to superdifferentials. Conversely, we use the value function to obtain criteria for optimality and feedback systems.Work (partially) supported by the Research Project Equazioni di evoluzione e applicazioni fisicomatematiche (M.U.R.S.T.-Italy).     

On the convergence of the LJ search method

The convergence of the Luus-Jaakola search method for unconstrained optimization problems is established.Notation E _n Euclideann-space - f Gradient off(x) - ² f Hessian matrix - (·) ^T Transpose of (·) - I Index set {1, 2, ...,n} - [x _i1 ^*(j) ] Point around which search is made in the (j + 1)th iteration, i.e., [x _1l ^*(j) ,x _2l ^*(j) ,...,x _n1 ^*(j) ] - r _i ⁽ⁱ⁾ Range ofx _il ^*(i) in the (j + 1)th iteration - l ₁ min_i {r _i ⁽⁰⁾ } - l ₂ min_i {r _i ⁽⁰⁾ } - A _j Region of search in thejth iteration, i.e., {x E _n:x _il ^*(j-1) –0.5r _i ^(j-1) x _ix _il ^*(j-1) +0.5r _i ^(j-1) ,i I} - S _j Closed sphere with center origin and radius _j - Reduction factor in each iteration - 1– - (·) Gamma function Many discussions with Dr. S. N. Iyer, Professor of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Trivandrum, India, are gratefully acknowledged. The author has great pleasure to thank Dr. K. Surendran, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, P.S.G. College of Technology, Coimbatore, India, for suggesting this work.     

Valuation perspectives and decompositions for variable annuities with GMWB riders

The guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit (GMWB) rider, as an add on to a variable annuity (VA), guarantees the return of premiums in the form of periodic withdrawals while allowing policyholders to participate fully in any market gains. GMWB riders represent an embedded option on the account value with a fee structure that is different from typical financial derivatives. We consider fair pricing of the GMWB rider from a financial economic perspective. Particular focus is placed on the distinct perspectives of the insurer and policyholder and the unifying relationship. We extend a decomposition of the VA contract into components that reflect term-certain payments and embedded derivatives to the case where the policyholder has the option to surrender, or lapse, the contract early.     

Difference systems of sets based on cosets partitions

Difference systems of sets （DSS） are combinatorial configurations that arise in connection with code synchronization. This paper proposes a new method to construct DSSs, which uses known DSSs to partition some of the cosets of Zv relative to subgroup of order k, where v = km is a composite number. As applications, we obtain some new optimal DSSs.     

Topological conjugacy of constant length substitution dynamical systems

Primitive constant length substitutions generate minimal symbolic dynamical systems. In this article we present an algorithm which can produce the list of injective substitutions of the same length that generate topologically conjugate systems. We show that each conjugacy class contains infinitely many substitutions which are not injective. As examples, the Toeplitz conjugacy class contains three injective substitutions (two on two symbols and one on three symbols), and the length two Thue–Morse conjugacy class contains twelve substitutions, among which are two on six symbols. Together, they constitute a list of all primitive substitutions of length two with infinite minimal systems which are factors of the Thue–Morse system.     

Improved Flexural Strength of N-Vinyl-Pyrrolidone Modified Acrylic Acid Copolymers for Glass-Ionomers

Abstract

The flexural strengths of N-vinylpyrrolidone modified glass-ionomer cements were investigated. The optimal molar ratio of the monomers in copolymers, composed of the three components acrylic acid, itaconic acid and N-vinylpyrrolidone, was determined using a SAS statistical program. The copolymers were prepared using a free-radical polymerization process. The viscosities of aqueous solutions of these polymers were determined. Cements were formed by the reaction of these solutions with glass particles. Flexural strength (FS) was used as the basic screening property to find the optimum molar ratio. Statistical models were applied to predict the optimum molar ratios. All strength values were recorded on the specimens conditioned in distilled water at 37°C for 7 days. The optimal molar ratio for these copolymers was 7:1:3 for poly(acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone), based on flexural strength and viscosity. The effect of molecular weight (MW) on FS was also evaluated. Copolymer with a MW of 10, 800 (M_n) showed 85% higher FS than the Ketac-Molar (KM) system, along with a reasonable working viscosity.     

基于循环码的常重复合码的构造

研究给出了一类基于循环码的常重复合码的构造,并利用指数和计算其参数.与相关的常重复合码相比,该码具有更多的码字,且渐近性较好.