A Genetic Search for Exploiting a Fuzzy Preference Model of Portfolio Problems with Public Projects

When an organization solves a portfolio problem with public projects evaluated by multiple criteria, in which the economic dimension is not essential or not well characterized, the classical methods are not useful. We propose a non-linear preference model developed from normative Value Theory and using fuzzy sets to model some sources of imprecision. This model can be considered as a generalization of the classical approaches. However, the optimization problem is very complex in order to be solved with non-linear programming techniques. Therefore, the model is exploited by an evolutionary algorithm, able to achieve a strong improvement of the quality of solution.     

Minimum Distance Between the Faces of Two Convex Polyhedra: A Sufficient Condition

The problem of finding the Euclidean distance between two convex polyhedra can be reduced to the combinatorial optimization problem of finding the minimum distance between their faces. This paper presents a global optimality criterion for this problem. An algorithm (QLDPA) for the fast computation of the distance between convex and bounded polyhedra is proposed as an application of it. Computer experiments show its fast performance, especially when the total number of vertices is large.     

The Two-Body Interaction with a Circle in Time

We complete our previous^{(1, 2)} demonstration that there is a family of new solutions to the photon and Dirac equations using spatial and temporal circles and four-vector behaviour of the Dirac bispinor. We analyse one solution for a bound state, which is equivalent to the attractive two-body interaction between a charged point particle and a second, which remains at rest. We show this yields energy and angular momentum eigenvalues that are identical to those found by the usual method of solving of the Dirac equation,⁽⁴⁾ including fine structure. We complete our previous derivation⁽²⁾ of QED from a set of rules for the two-body interaction and generalise these. We show that QED may be decomposed into a two-body interaction at every point in spacetime.     

Isotopic production cross sections of residues in reactions induced by relativistic heavy ions with protons and deuterons

The isotopic production cross sections of heavy residues in relativistic heavy-ion collisions have been investigated in inverse kinematics. The primary reaction products were fully identified in mass and atomic number prior to beta decay using the fragment separator FRS. The huge collection of data obtained helps in the understanding of the two main reaction mechanisms involved: fragmentation and fission. These data provide basic information for future radioactive ion beam facilities and for technical applications like intense neutron sources by means of spallation targets.     

A rheological analysis of interactions in phenoxy/organoclay nanocomposites

Novel oscillatory flow results of phenoxy/organoclay nanocomposites are analysed considering the blocking effect of nanostructure on polymer chain mobility. The modification provoked by this hindering effect on loss tangent spectrum is investigated. The study of three different systems, involving a pristine montmorillonite and two montmorillonites modified with one alkyl tail and two alkyl tails, respectively, leads to conclude that polymer-alkyl repulsive interactions play the most important role in the chain mobility obstruction process. Our results suggest that polymer-alkyl interactions increase with temperature.     

Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopic studies of novel mixed valence states in cobaltous ferrocyanides and ferricyanides

Novel mixed valence states have been obtained by the treatment of cobaltous ferrocyanides (Co⁺²Fe^II) and ferricyanides (Co⁺²Fe^III) in an ozone flow. The CN stretching bands occur at 2085 cm^–1 for Co⁺²Fe^II and at 2160 cm^–1 for Co⁺²Fe^III. After the ozonization process of Co⁺²Fe^II, an intense band approximately at 2125 cm^–1 is detected. This intermediate band must correspond to a mixed valence state of the type: Fe^II–CN–Co²⁺–NC–Fe^III Mössbauer spectra recorded in situ during the ozonization of Co⁺²Fe^II show the presence of two components: a doublet with isomer shift and quadrupole splitting values close to the cobalti ferricyanide and a very broad line for the mixed valence state. From the Mössbauer and infrared spectra of the aged samples of the Co⁺²Fe^II after ozonization, a relaxation process to the initial state of the samples is observed but the mixed valence state is stable.     

Thermogravimetric analysis of polycarbonates and polythiocarbonates with chlorinated aromatic side-rings

The thermal stability and kinetics parameters of polycarbonates and polythiocarbonates derived from diphenols with chlorinated aromatic side-rings were studied. The polycarbonates exhibited a higher thermal stability than the polythiocarbonates, except for polythiocarbonate Ib, which displayed similar behaviour to that of the analogous polycarbonate. The kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition were determined by using the Arrhenius relationship and a computer program. In the considered temperature range, all the polymers degraded in a single stage with first-order kinetics.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde die thermische Stabilität und die kinetischen Parameter von aus Diphenolen mit chlorierten aromatischen Nebenringen abgeleiteten Polycarbonate und Polythiocarbonate untersucht. Polycarbonate zeigen eine höhere thermische Stabilität als Polythiocarbonate. Eine Ausnahme bildet das Polythiocarbonat Ib, das in seinem Verhalten den Polycarbonaten gleicht. Mittels der Arrheniusschen Gleichung und einem Rechnerprogramm wurden die kinetischen Parameter der thermischen Zersetzung ermittelt. Im untersuchten Temperaturbereich zersetzen sich alle Polymere in einer einstufigen Reaktion erster Ordnung.

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The authors acknowledge financial support from the Dirección de Investigación of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.     

Excess enthalpies of (methyl propanoate or methyl pentanoate + 1-alkanol) at 298.15 K

The excess molar enthalpies H_m^E of methyl propanoate or methyl pentanoate + 1-butanol, + 1-hexanol, + 1-octanol, and + 1-decanol have been determined experimentally at 298.15 K using a Calvet microcalorimeter. For all these mixtures H_m^E > 0; the values increase with the chain length of the alkanol but decrease as the ester chain lengthens.