Asymptotic behavior of a hierarchical system of learning automata

Learning automata arranged in a two-level hierarchy are considered. The automata operate in a stationary random environment and update their action probabilities according to the linear-reward- -penalty algorithm at each level. Unlike some hierarchical systems previously proposed, no information transfer exists from one level to another, and yet the hierarchy possesses good convergence properties. Using weak-convergence concepts it is shown that for large time and small values of parameters in the algorithm, the evolution of the optimal path probability can be represented by a diffusion whose parameters can be computed explicitly.

Numerical simulation of conductive particle behaviour at the surface of a plate electrode affected by a DC corona field

The electric field in certain electrostatic devices can be modeled by a grounded plate electrode affected by a corona discharge generated by a series of parallel wires connected to a DC high-voltage supply. The system of differential equations that describe the behaviour (i.e., charging and motion) of the conductive particle in such an electric field has been numerically solved, using several simplifying assumptions. Thus, it was possible to investigate the effect of various electrical and mechanical factors on the trajectories of conductive particles. This model has been employed to study the behaviour of coalparticles in fly-ash corona separators.

Relationships between Patterns of Behaviour and Liveweight Gains of Feedlot Steers

There is considerable individual variation in the performance of feedlot cattle even when they are of the same genotype and sourced from the same property (Hasker et al., 1996). It is possible that behavioural differences between individuals may account for some of this variation. This paper reports the correlations between some behavioural patterns and average daily gain (ADG) of Brahman steers that were feedlot-fed for 100 days.

The Effect of Post-Pubertal Castration on Behaviour in Beef Cattle

Castration of male beef cattle is advantageous for management, however pre-pubertal (early) castration results in comparative losses in growth rate (Jago et al., 1996). Post-pubertal (late) castration may maintain growth rate but lead to management problems. The behavioural differences between early castrates (9mo) and late castrates (18mo), which may have an effect on growth rate were studied.

Crystallization behaviour of Metglas 2826 MB (Fe40Ni38Mo4B18)

Differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy have been employed to determine the thermal stability and identify the crystalline phases on devitrification of Metglas 2826 MB. The glass crystallizes intoγ-FeNiMo and fcc (FeNi)23B6 with activation energies of 270 and 375 kJ mol−1 respectively. The reactions are primary and polymorphic in nature. The influence of Mo towards crystallization of Fe40Ni40B20 has been to enhance the formation of the fcc (FeNi)23B6 phase in preference to orthorhombic (FeNi)3B phase and to raise the thermal stability of the amorphous state.

Peculiar cytological behaviour of a distillery yeast

The question whether so-called ‘pure’ strains of yeast are cytologically pure ought to receive the earnest attention of those engaged in the study of the genetics of yeasts. The classification of yeasts is purely arbitrary, and the only reliable method of obtaining any particular species is to get a sample of the original culture. But even if the original culture is available one is not sure that it is cytologically pure, for proportion changes might have occurred in it since isolation. In rapidly growing organisms like the yeasts this is but natural. Investigations on higher plants indicate that polyploids usually mutate to dwarfness as a survival-measure and hence the random size relationships between the diploids and the polyploids offer no morphological criterion for differentiation into types.

Influence of seeding on crystallization behaviour of BaNaB9O15 glasses

Transparent BaNaB9O15 (BNBO) glasses were fabricated via the conventional melt-quenching technique. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) followed by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies confirmed the amorphous and glassy nature of the as-quenched samples, respectively. The effect of seeding on the crystallization of BNBO glasses was studied by non-isothermal DSC method and was modeled using the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami and Ozawa equations. The activation energy for seeded glasses decreased with the increase in fraction of crystallization. The values for the onset of crystallization and Avrami exponent were found to be lower for seeded samples which were associated with the heterogeneous nucleation and epitaxial processes.

Nonlinear analysis for the pre- and post-yield behaviour of a composite structure with the refined plastic hinge approach

The computational technique of the full ranges of the second-order inelastic behaviour evaluation of steel-concrete composite structure is not always sought forgivingly, and therefore it hinders the development and application of the performance-based design approach for the composite structure. To this end, this paper addresses of the advanced computational technique of the higher-order element with the refined plastic hinges to capture the all-ranges behaviour of an entire steel-concrete composite structure. Moreover, this paper presents the efficient and economical cross-section analysis to evaluate the element section capacity of the non-uniform and arbitrary composite section subjected to the axial and bending interaction. Based on the same single algorithm, it can accurately and effectively evaluate nearly continuous interaction capacity curve from decompression to pure bending technically, which is the important capacity range but highly nonlinear. Hence, this cross-section analysis provides the simple but unique algorithm for the design approach. In summary, the present nonlinear computational technique can simulate both material and geometric nonlinearities of the composite structure in the accurate, efficient and reliable fashion, including partial shear connection and gradual yielding at pre-yield stage, plasticity and strain-hardening effect due to axial and bending interaction at post-yield stage, loading redistribution, second-order P-δ and P-Δ effect, and also the stiffness and strength deterioration. And because of its reliable and accurate behavioural evaluation, the present technique can be extended for the design of the high-strength composite structure and potentially for the fibre-reinforced concrete structure.

Effects of laboratory colonization on Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera, Tephritidae) mating behaviour: ‘what a difference a year makes

Laboratory-reared insects are widely known to have significantly reduced genetic diversity in comparison to wild populations; however, subtle behavioural changes between laboratory-adapted and wild or ‘wildish’ (i.e., within one or very few generations of field collected material) populations are less well understood. Quantifying alterations in behaviour, particularly sexual, in laboratory-adapted insects is important for mass-reared insects for use in pest management strategies, especially those that have a sterile insect technique component. We report subtle changes in sexual behaviour between ‘wildish’ Bactrocera dorsalis flies (F1 and F2) from central and southern Thailand and the same colonies 12 months later when at six generations from wild. Mating compatibility tests were undertaken under standardised semi-natural conditions, with number of homo/heterotypic couples and mating location in field cages analysed via compatibility indices. Central and southern populations of B. dorsalis displayed positive assortative mating in the 2010 trials but mated randomly in the 2011 trials. ‘Wildish’ southern Thailand males mated significantly earlier than central Thailand males in 2010; this difference was considerably reduced in 2011, yet homotypic couples from southern Thailand still formed significantly earlier than all other couple combinations. There was no significant difference in couple location in 2010; however, couple location significantly differed among pair types in 2011 with those involving southern Thailand females occurring significantly more often on the tree relative to those with central Thailand females. Relative participation also changed with time, with more southern Thailand females forming couples relative to central Thailand females in 2010; this difference was considerably decreased by 2011. These results reveal how subtle changes in sexual behaviour, as driven by laboratory rearing conditions, may significantly influence mating behaviour between laboratory-adapted and recently colonised tephritid fruit flies over a relatively short period of time.

Psychological resources, their social antecedents, and association with well-being and health behaviour in early adulthood

The success of entering work life, young people s psychological resources and self-reported well-being were studied in a longitudinal setting from a life-span developmental-contextual perspective in early adulthood. The aim was to analyse how psychosocial characteristics in early childhood and adolescence predict successful entrance into work life, how this is associated with well-being, and to assess the level of psychological resources such as dispositional optimism, personal meaning of work and coping in early adulthood. The role of these and social support, in the relationship between regional factors (such as place of residence and migration), self-reported health and life satisfaction was studied. The association between a specific coping strategy, i.e. eating and drinking in a stressful situation and eating habits, was studied to demonstrate how coping is associated with health behaviour. Multivariate methods, including binary logistic regression analyses and ANOVA, were used for statistical analyses. The subjects were members of the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort, which consists of all women and men born in 1966 in the two northernmost provinces of Finland (n= 12,058). The most recent follow-up, at the age of 31 years when 11,637 subjects were alive, took place in 1997-1998. The results show, first, that social resources in the childhood family and adolescence school achievement predict entrance into the labour market. Secondly, psychosocial resources were found to mediate the relationship between migration from rural to urban areas, and subjective well-being. Thirdly, psychological resources at entrance into the labour market were found to develop from early infancy on. They are, however, influenced later by work history. Fourthly, stress-related eating and drinking, as a way of coping, was found to be directly associated with unhealthy eating habits and alcohol use. Gender differences were found in psychosocial resources predicting, and being associated with success in entering the labour market. For men, the role of attitudinal and psychological factors seems to be especially important in entrance into work life and in the development of psychological resources. For women, academic attainment was more important for successfully entering work life, and lack of emotional social support was a risk factor for stress-related eating only among women. Stress-related eating and drinking habits were predicted by a long history of unemployment as well as a low level of education among both genders, but not excluding an academic degree among men. The results emphasize the role of childhood psychosocial factors in preventing long-term unemployment and in enhancing psychological well-being in early adulthood. Success in entering work life, in terms of continuous work history, plays a crucial role for well-being and the amount of psychological resources in early adulthood. The results emphasize the crucial role of enhancing psychological resources for promoting positive health behaviour and diminishing regional differences in subjective well-being.

Getting mad may not mean getting even: The influence of drivers' ethical ideologies on driving anger and related behaviour

The current study explored the influence of moral values (measured by ethical ideology) on self-reported driving anger and aggressive driving responses. A convenience sample of drivers aged 17-73 years (n = 280) in Queensland, Australia, completed a self-report survey. Measures included sensation seeking, trait aggression, driving anger, endorsement of aggressive driving responses and ethical ideology (Ethical Position Questionnaire, EPQ). Scores on the two underlying dimensions of the EPQ idealism (highI/lowI) and relativism (highR/lowR) were used to categorise drivers into four ideological groups: Situationists (highI/highR); Absolutists (highI/lowR); Subjectivists (lowI/highR); and Exceptionists (lowI/lowR). Mean aggressive driving scores suggested that exceptionists were significantly more likely to endorse aggressive responses. After accounting for demographic variables, sensation seeking and driving anger, ethical ideological category added significantly, though modestly to the prediction of aggressive driving responses. Patterns in results suggest that those drivers in ideological groups characterised by greater concern to avoid affecting others negatively (i.e. highI, Situationists, Absolutists) may be less likely to endorse aggressive driving responses, even when angry. In contrast, Subjectivists (lowI, HighR), reported the lowest levels of driving anger yet were significantly more likely to endorse aggressive responses. This provides further insight into why high levels of driving anger may not always translate into more aggressive driving.

Macromechanical behaviour of composite laminates

An improved higher order transverse shear deformation theory is employed to arrive at modified constitutive relations which can be used in the flexural, buckling and vibration analysis of laminated plates and shells. The strain energy for such systems is then expressed in terms of the displacements and the rotations for ready reference and use. Numerical values of vibration frequencies are obtained using this formulation employing Ritz's method of analysis. The results are compared with those available in the literature to validate the analysis presented.

Impulsivity, health-related behaviour and disease : A prospective study

In clinical settings impulsivity refers to a symptom of psychiatric disorder, but nonclinically oriented research treats impulsivity as a personality and temperament dimension. This prospective study examined whether impulsivity predicts adverse health-related behaviour and increased risk of health problems in a large, nonclinical sample of 5433 subjects working in 12 Finnish hospitals. The data were collected using two questionnaire surveys at a 2-year interval. After controlling for alcohol use at baseline, higher impulsivity predicted increased alcohol consumption at follow-up in both genders (p < .01) and was associated with increased likelihood of becoming a heavy drinker or taking up smoking (p < .05). Impulsivity also predicted an increased number of cigarettes smoked per day in the follow-up among women (p < .001), but not among men, although adjustment for the number of cigarettes smoked at baseline attenuated these associations (p = .08 for women). In men, higher impulsivity was associated with shorter sleep duration and waking up several times per night independent of baseline characteristics (p < .01), whereas in women, higher impulsivity predicted difficulty in falling asleep and waking up feeling tired after the usual amount of sleep (p < .05). In women, these associations became nonsignificant after adjustment for pre-existing somatic and psychiatric diseases. Finally, higher impulsivity was associated with an increased 2-year incidence of physician-diagnosed peptic ulcer disease (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.21 - 4.82) and onset of depression (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.28 - 2.97) after adjustment for a variety of baseline covariates. In conclusion, this study shows that in a nonclinical population, impulsivity appears to be a risk factor for various unhealthy behaviour and health problems.