Delay-dependent filtering for time-delayed LPV systems

The present paper addresses the parameter-dependent filter design problem for output estimation in linear parameter varying (LPV) plants that include constant delays in the state. We develop LMI-based delay-dependent conditions to guarantee stability and an induced gain bound performance for the filtering error system. An explicit characterization of the filters’ state–space representation is given in terms of the solutions to a convex optimization problem associated with the synthesis conditions. By taking the output estimation error into account as the criterion, the developed filters are shown to be capable of tracking the desired outputs of the time-delayed parameter varying system in the presence of external disturbances. Two families of filters are examined: memoryless and state-delayed filters. The latter one which involves a delay term in its dynamics has the benefit of reducing the conservatism in the design and improving performance. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of the proposed methodologies for memoryless and state-delayed filter design and to validate the superiority of using the state-delayed configuration compared to the conventional memoryless filters.     

Powers in a class of -strict standard episturmian words

This paper concerns a specific class of strict standard episturmian words whose directive words resemble those of characteristic Sturmian words. In particular, we explicitly determine all integer powers occurring in such infinite words, extending recent results of Damanik and Lenz [D. Damanik, D. Lenz, Powers in Sturmian sequences, European J. Combin. 24 (2003) 377–390, doi:10.1016/S0195-6698(03)00026-X], who studied powers in Sturmian words. The key tools in our analysis are canonical decompositions and a generalization of singular words, which were originally defined for the ubiquitous Fibonacci word. Our main results are demonstrated via some examples, including the k-bonacci word, a generalization of the Fibonacci word to a k-letter alphabet (k≥2).     

-admissibility of the right-shift semigroup on

It is shown that the right-shift semigroup on does not satisfy the weighted Weiss conjecture for α(0,1). In other words, α-admissibility of scalar valued observation operators cannot always be characterised by a simple resolvent growth condition. This result is in contrast to the unweighted case, where 0-admissibility can be characterised by a simple growth bound. The result is proved by providing a link between discrete and continuous α-admissibility and then translating a counterexample for the unilateral shift on to continuous time systems.     

An LMI approach to synthesis subject to almost asymptotic regulation constraints

A multi-objective controller synthesis problem is considered in which an output is to be regulated approximately by assuring a bound on the steady-state peak amplification in response to an infinite-energy disturbance, while also guaranteeing a desired level of performance measured in terms of the worst-case energy gain from a finite-energy input to a performance output. Relying on a characterization of the controllers with which almost asymptotic regulation is accomplished, the problem of guaranteeing the desired level of performance is reduced to solving a system of linear matrix inequalities subject to a set of linear equality constraints. Based on the solution of this system, a procedure is outlined for the construction of a suitable controller whose order is equal to the order of the plant plus the order of the exogenous system.     

Fitting finite mixtures of generalized linear regressions in R

R package flexmix provides flexible modelling of finite mixtures of regression models using the EM algorithm. Several new features of the software such as fixed and nested varying effects for mixtures of generalized linear models and multinomial regression for a priori probabilities given concomitant variables are introduced. The use of the software in addition to model selection is demonstrated on a logistic regression example.     

An LMI approach to boundary control of semilinear parabolic and hyperbolic systems

Exponential stability analysis and L₂-gain analysis are developed for scalar uncertain distributed parameter systems, governed by semilinear partial differential equations of parabolic and hyperbolic types. Sufficient exponential stability conditions with a given decay rate are derived in the form of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) for both systems. These conditions are then utilized to synthesize  static output feedback boundary controllers of the systems in question.     

A reactive GRASP and path relinking for a combined production–distribution problem

An NP-hard production–distribution problem for one product over a multi-period horizon is investigated. The aim is to minimize total cost taking production setups, inventory levels and distribution into account. An integer linear model is proposed as a compact problem specification but it cannot be solved to optimality for large instances. Instead of using a classical two-phase approach (production planning and then route construction for each day), metaheuristics that simultaneously tackle production and routing decisions are developed: a GRASP (greedy randomized adaptive search procedure) and two improved versions using either a reactive mechanism or a path-relinking process. These algorithms are evaluated on 90 randomly generated instances with 50, 100 and 200 customers and 20 periods. The results confirm the interest of integrating production and distribution decisions, compared to classical two-phase methods. Moreover, reaction and path-relinking give better results than the GRASP alone.     

A simple derivation of ARE solutions to the standard control problem based on LMI solution

In this note, a simple derivation of the Riccati equation based solutions to the standard control problem, namely the well-known Glover–Doyle solution and DGKF solution is given based on LMI solution. It is hoped that this will be helpful in deepening the understanding of Riccati equation solutions.     

Characterizations of context-sensitive languages and other language classes in terms of symport/antiport P systems

We give “syntactic’’ characterizations of context-sensitive languages (CSLs) in terms of some restricted models of symport/antiport P systems. These are the first such characterizations of CSLs in terms of P systems. In particular, we show the following for any language L over a binary alphabet:

(1)

Let m   be any integer ≥1$\ge 1$. Then L is a CSL if and only if it can be accepted by a restricted symport/antiport P system with m membranes and multiple number of symbols (objects). Moreover, holding the number of membranes at m, there is an infinite hierarchy in computational power (within the class of binary CSLs) with respect to the number of symbols.     

Steelmaking technology for a sustainable society

For the reduction of CO₂ emission, two major developments are being conducted in COURSE50 (“ CO₂ Ultimate Reduction in the Steelmaking Process by Innovative Technologies for Cool Earth 50”). The one is separation of CO₂ gas from BFG (Blast Furnace Gas) and recharge of the rest of BFG including H₂ and CO into blast furnace. Hydrogen iron ore reduction technology is also going to be developed. The other one is amplification of H₂ gas from CH₄, for example, in COG (Coke Oven Gas). The produced hydrogen gas will be supplied to the society or the reformed COG will be charged to blast furnace. In addition to these drastic challenging technology developments, a variety of measures for CO₂ reduction is under taken. In the frame of Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, the best available technology for energy savings are discussed to be transferred within seven member nations, which has the effect of 1.27 million ton reduction of CO₂ emission a year. By supplying energy saving steel products to society such as high strength steels for automobiles and ships, which realizes the fuel consumption reduction, high performance electrical steels for motors and transformers, which realize electricity loss reduction, and by recycling waste city plastics and tires in steel processes for hydrogen gas generation, chemical raw material conversion and iron ore reduction, etc., it is expected that equivalent 10% reduction of CO₂ gas emission in steel production is counted. In steelmaking process the reduction of refining slags contributes materials use efficiency and less emission of unuseful byproducts. The control and utilization of nonmetallic inclusions, such as deoxidation products, are one of the key technology for obtaining product performance, which is required in the above-mentioned steel products. In order to optimize steelmaking process for these purposes, computational thermodynamics is applied. Optimization of demanganization, and control of chemical composition of nonmetallic inclusions by the use of computational thermodynamics are mentioned.     

Randomized local search,evolutionary algorithms,and the minimum spanning tree problem

Randomized search heuristics, among them randomized local search and evolutionary algorithms, are applied to problems whose structure is not well understood, as well as to problems in combinatorial optimization. The analysis of these randomized search heuristics has been started for some well-known problems, and this approach is followed here for the minimum spanning tree problem. After motivating this line of research, it is shown that randomized search heuristics find minimum spanning trees in expected polynomial time without employing the global technique of greedy algorithms.