Exploring new directions for research in problem structuring methods: on the role of cognitive style

Prior research has argued that cognitive style can have a significant impact on group decision making. In addition, several scholars have proposed that cognitive style can play a key role in the design and use of group decision support systems. However, cognitive style has not received a great deal of attention in the problem structuring methods (PSMs) community. This is surprising, given that PSMs are specifically developed to support a group in their decision making. The purpose of this paper is thus to examine the significance of cognitive style within PSMs. The paper identifies and explores the role of four different cognitive style functions in problem structuring interventions. This analysis is carried out by focusing on the different tasks embedded within a group process supported by PSMs. Implications for the research and practice of PSMs are then discussed.     

Experimental evidence for a light and broad scalar resonance in D(+) --> pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decay

From a sample of 1172 +/- 61 D(+)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+) decays, we find gamma(D(+)-->pi(-)pi(+)pi(+))/gamma(D(+)-->K-pi(+)pi(+)) = 0.0311 +/- 0.0018(+0.0016)(-0.0026). Using a coherent amplitude analysis to fit the Dalitz plot of these decays, we find strong evidence that a scalar resonance of mass 478(+24)(-23) +/- 17 MeV/c(2) and width 324(+42)(-40) +/- 21 MeV/c(2) accounts for approximately half of all decays.     

The Effect of Pulling and Twisting Forces on Chameleon Sequence Peptides**

Chameleon sequences are amino acid sequences found in several distinct configurations in experiment. They challenge our understanding of the link between sequence and structure, and provide insight into structural competition in proteins. Here, we study the energy landscapes for three such sequences, and interrogate how pulling and twisting forces impact the available structural ensembles. Chameleon sequences do not necessarily exhibit multiple structural ensembles on a multifunnel energy landscape when we consider them in isolation. The application of even small forces leads to drastic changes in the energy landscapes. For pulling forces, we observe transitions from helical to extended structures in a very small span of forces. For twisting forces, the picture is much more complex, and highly dependent on the magnitude and handedness of the applied force as well as the reference angle for the twist. Depending on these parameters, more complex and more simplistic energy landscapes are observed alongside more and less diverse structural ensembles. The impact of even small forces is significant, confirming their likely role in folding events. In addition, small forces exerted by the remaining scaffold of a protein may be sufficient to lead to the adoption of a specific structural ensemble by a chameleon sequence.     

Corporate visioning: a survey of UK practice

A survey of strategic planning managers was considered to identify the current practice of developing corporate visions, with a particular focus on how the vision was developed. The paper begins with a brief review of the literature concerning organisational visions and their development. The issues addressed by the survey and the research methodology are then described, and the results of the research presented. The paper ends with a discussion of the findings of the survey, and suggests ways of progressing research in this area.     

Some properties of a simple moving average when applied to forecasting a time series

Simple (equally weighted) moving averages are frequently used to estimate the current level of a time series, with this value being projected as a forecast for future observations. A key measure of the effectiveness of the method is the sampling error of the estimator, which this paper defines in terms of characteristics of the data. This enables the optimal length of the average for any steady state model to be established and the lead time forecast error derived. A comparison of the performance of a simple moving average (SMA) with an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) is made. It is shown that, for a steady state model, the variance of the forecast error is typically less than 3% higher than the appropriate EWMA. This relatively small difference may explain the inconclusive results from the empirical studies about the relative predictive performance of the two methods.     

Stability and performance analysis of a block elimination solver for bordered linear systems

A new block elimination method for bordered systems is proposedand its numerical properties are analysed. In the case wherethe leading principal block is ill-conditioned or singular andthe method becomes unstable a perturbation approach is usedto enhance the stability. Results of experiments performed onthe SGI Power Challenge 8000 and on the Cray J-9x illustratethe performance of the new algorithm and compare it with thecurrent best approach. It is shown that the new method worksfaster while preserving stability.     

Forcing revisited

The purpose of this paper is to propose and explore a general framework within which a wide variety of model construction techniques from contemporary set theory can be subsumed. Taking our inspiration from presheaf constructions in category theory and Boolean ultrapowers, we will show that generic extensions, ultrapowers, extenders and generic ultrapowers can be construed as examples of a single model construction technique. In particular, we will show that Łoś's theorem can be construed as a specific case of Cohen's truth lemma, and we isolate the weakest conditions a filter must satisfy in order for the truth lemma to work.     

D^0D^0 mixing and other recent charm results from BABAR

Studies in which BABAR data have shown evidence for mixing in the neutral charm meson system are presented. A new measurement of the lifetime difference parameter ycp = （1.16±0.22±0.18）% is described. Results are also presented from a systematic study of DK and D＊K invariant mass distributions from a 470 fb^-1 sample of asymmetric e^＋e^- interactions recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-Ⅱ storage rings. A new charmed-strange meson has been observed with mass [3044 ± 8stat （-5^＋30 ）syst] MeV/c^2 and width [239± 35stat （-42^＋46）syst]MeV/c^2.     

Optimization of a universal matchbox on an ultrasonic vibrating system

The main scope of the article is to investigate the effect of ferrite cores gap in a universal matchbox on an ultrasonic vibrating system. A gapped transformer mechanism in a universal matchbox has been thoroughly studied. Characteristics of an ultrasonic vibrating system have been recorded such as mechanical vibrations, inductance, resonant frequencies, current and voltage levels as the gap of ferrite cores gradually increases. In addition, the phase difference between the supplied voltage and the current is also computed and displayed in a Lissajous curve in order to determine the optimal gap between two ferrite cores in the universal matchbox. Explanations supplement the experiment results.