Differential graphical games for H∞ control of linear heterogeneous multiagent systems

Differential graphical games have been introduced in the literature to solve state synchronization problem for linear homogeneous agents. When the agents are heterogeneous, the previous notion of graphical games cannot be used anymore and a new definition is required. In this paper, we define a novel concept of differential graphical games for linear heterogeneous agents subject to external unmodeled disturbances, which contain the previously introduced graphical game for homogeneous agents as a special case. Using our new formulation, we can solve both the output regulation and H_∞ output regulation problems. Our graphical game framework yields coupled Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equations, which are, in general, impossible to solve analytically. Therefore, we propose a new actor‐critic algorithm to solve these coupled equations numerically in real time. Moreover, we find an explicit upper bound for the overall ‐gain of the output synchronization error with respect to disturbance. We demonstrate our developments by a simulation example.     

A framework for understanding institutional factors affecting the success and failure of offshoring models in India

The objective of this paper is to identify and analyse the factors that influence offshore location decisions from an institutional theory perspective. In the years, emerging economies have shown great growth potential and have attracted significant foreign direct investment, especially from companies willing to set up operations. Despite such a seemingly favourable trade environment, not all companies that entered an emerging economy have been successful. Thus, there is a need to understand the factors that influence the success of any offshore location decision. It is also important to understand the relative importance of these factors, in order to develop novel insights useful to practitioners. There is a lack of literature addressing this issue, which this study aims to fill. We conducted a multi-case analysis with examples of European companies entering India. The findings indicate that successful companies employed locally focused business strategies that enabled them to acquire important relationships and knowledge, and also to adapt to formal institutions, including governmental and regulatory procedures. It was found that, irrespective of size, disregarding collaborative strategies was the main reason for exiting India. These findings are highly relevant for managers and policy makers.     

Shape Factor Effect on Inclusion Sedimentation in Aluminum Melts

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - The quality requirements of aluminum products are steadily increasing, and the presence of non-metallic inclusions have a large impact on the quality of...     

EGFR-Binding Peptides: From Computational Design towards Tumor-Targeting of Adeno-Associated Virus Capsids

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a central role in the progression of many solid tumors. We used this validated target to analyze the de novo design of EGFR-binding peptides and their application for the delivery of complex payloads via rational design of a viral vector. Peptides were computationally designed to interact with the EGFR dimerization interface. Two new peptides and a reference (EDA peptide) were chemically synthesized, and their binding ability characterized. Presentation of these peptides in each of the 60 capsid proteins of recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) via a genetic based loop insertion enabled targeting of EGFR overexpressing tumor cell lines. Furthermore, tissue distribution and tumor xenograft specificity were analyzed with systemic injection in chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. Complex correlations between the targeting of the synthetic peptides and the viral vectors to cells and in ovo were observed. Overall, these data demonstrate the potential of computational design in combination with rational capsid modification for viral vector targeting opening new avenues for viral vector delivery and specifically suicide gene therapy.     

An acrylate-based quasi-solid polymer electrolyte incorporating a novel dinitrile poly(ethylene glycol) plasticizer for lithium-ion batteries

Journal of Materials Science - The performance of solid polymer electrolytes is characterized by lower ionic conductivity than conventional liquid electrolytes but provides advantages in terms of...     

Flocculation of activated sludge flocs by stimulation of the aerobic biological activity

Activated sludge flocs are known to deflocculate under short-term anaerobic conditions, but little is known about possible reflocculation under subsequent aerobic conditions. When activated sludge flocs from two wastewater treatment plants deflocculated under anaerobic conditions with well-defined shear conditions, they could be almost, but not completely, reflocculated by aeration for 1-2 h under the same shear conditions. If the biological activity was reduced by adding azide, chloramphenicol or by decreasing the temperature, no or only very little reflocculation took place. This indicated that the reflocculation was under direct or indirect microbial control. Only a small part of the reflocculation was due to improved flocculation properties obtained by oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III), which is a better flocculant. Fe(II) was produced under the anaerobic conditions by microbial iron reduction, and it was oxidized to Fe(III) within less than one hour after the aeration was started. However, by comparing two different sludges with different capabilities for iron reduction, iron oxidation and responses to substrate addition, it was found that the aerobic biological activity most likely was of greatest significance for the observed reflocculation and floc formation under aerobic conditions. This was further supported by adding organic substrates (glucose or ethanol) during the aerobic reflocculation phase, which promoted reflocculation. However, some substrates had the opposite effect (acetate and lactate), where a deterioration of the reflocculation was observed, probably due to different responses from different groups of microorganisms in the sludges.     

Gravity drainage of activated sludge: new experimental method and considerations of settling velocity, specific cake resistance and cake compressibility

A laboratory scale setup was used for characterization of gravitational drainage of waste activated sludge. The aim of the study was to assess how time of drainage and cake dry matter depended on volumetric load, SS content and sludge floc properties. It was demonstrated that activated sludge forms compressible cakes, even at the low pressures found in gravitational drainage. The values of specific cake resistance were two to three orders of magnitude lower than those obtained in pressure filtration. Despite the compressible nature of sludge, key macroscopic parameters such as time of drainage and cake solid content showed simple functional dependency of the volumetric load and SS of a given sludge. This suggests that the proposed method may be applied for design purposes without the use of extensive numerical modeling. The possibilities for application of this new technique are, among others, the estimation of sludge drainability prior to mechanical dewatering on a belt filter, or the application of surplus sludge on reed beds, as well as adjustments of sludge loading, concentration or sludge pre-treatment in order to optimize the drainage process.     

The adjustable synergistic effects between acid–base coupling bifunctional ionic liquid extractants for rare earth separation

Two of the most widely used industrial extractants for rare earth elements (REEs), that is, di(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and 2‐ethyl(hexyl) phosphonic acid mono‐2‐ethylhexyl ester (HEH[EHP]) were developed into [DEHP]^? type acid–base coupling bifunctionalized ionic liquids (ABC‐BILs) and [EHEHP]^? type ABC‐BILs, respectively. The combinations of ABC‐BIL extractants revealed synergistic effects for REEs. Seven different combinations of ABC‐BILs and five kinds of REEs confirmed the novel synergistic extraction. Some synergy coefficients of the combined ABC‐BILs were bigger than those of mixed HDEHP and HEH[EHP] by two orders of magnitude. The first synergistic extraction produced by ionic liquid extractants in the field of solvent extraction was reported in this article. The novel synergistic extraction from combined ABC‐BILs extractants revealed highly efficient and environmentally friendly potential in both of academic research and industrial application for REEs separation. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3859–3868, 2014