H∞ ALMOST DISTURBANCE DECOUPLING FOR MIMO BILINEAR SYSTEMS

The H_∞ almost disturbance decoupling problem is considered. In this paper, a nonlinear design is proposed to find a state feedback controller for bilinear systems. The closed‐loop system is internally stable and achieves disturbance attenuation in nonlinear H_∞ sense. We defined a special form of Lyapunov function, which is constructed in terms of one or a set of positive definite constant matrices. If, except of the origin of system, the corresponding polynomial of the positive definite matrix (or several polynomials relevant to the positive definite constant matrices) has (have) no zero on a given subset of state space, then we can construct a controller to solve our problem. It is found that the controller structure could be complicated, but is feasible in computation and may require optimization technique to search the solution. We consider both SIMO and MIMO cases with illustrated examples.     

The influence of spin on second sound in superfluid3He-4He mixtures

The second-sound velocity of a superfluid mixture increases when a static and homogeneous magnetic field is applied. In particular, for dilute mixtures (molar ³ He concentration <0.1) and low temperatures, (0.1<T<0.6 K) the relative velocity increase is independent of concentration and is given by u ₂/u ₂5×10^–16 B _e ² T ^–2. It should be easily observed wheneverB _e T ^–1is larger than 10 ⁵ G K^–1 and can lead to a novel measurement of the magnetic susceptibility.     

Minimum-delay schedules in layered networks

Summary In this paper, we consider the following problem: given a layered network including a set of messages, each of which must be transmitted from a source to a sink node, what is the sequence of moves from one node to another which minimizes the total completion time? We first show that the general problem is NP-complete for both fixed and variable path routing (thus the scheduling problem for more realistic networks with cycles must be considered computationally intractable). We then consider several restrictions which admit polynomia time algorithms.Most of this work was done while this author was at the Department of Mathematics, University of Rome La Sapienza     

A new device for performing reference point indentation without a reference probe

Here we describe a novel, hand-held reference point indentation (RPI), instrument that is designed for clinical measurements of bone material properties in living patients. This instrument differs from previous RPI instruments in that it requires neither a reference probe nor removal of the periosteum that covers the bone, thus significantly simplifying its use in patient testing. After describing the instrument, we discuss five guidelines for optimal and reproducible results. These are: (1) the angle between the normal to the surface and the axis of the instrument should be less than 10°, (2) the compression of the main spring to trigger the device must be performed slowly (>1 s), (3) the probe tip should be sharper than 10 μm; however, a normalized parameter with a calibration phantom can correct for dull tips up to a 100 μm radius, (4) the ambient room temperature should be between 4?°C and 37 °C, and (5) the effective mass of the bone or material under test must exceed 1 kg, or if under 1 kg, the specimen should be securely anchored in a fixation device with sufficient mass (which is not a requirement of previous RPI instruments). Our experience is that a person can be trained with these guidelines in about 5 min and thereafter obtain accurate and reproducible results. The portability, ease of use, and minimal training make this instrument suitable to measure bone material properties in a clinical setting.     

Theoretical Correlations and Measured Correlations: Relating Recognition and Recall in Four Distributed Memory Models.

This article addresses the relation between item recognition and associative (cued) recall. Going beyond measures of performance on each task, the analysis focuses on the degree to which the contingency between successful recognition and successful recall of a studied item reflects the commonality of memory processes underlying the recognition and recall tasks. Specifically, 4 classes of distributed memory models are assessed for their ability to account for the relatively invariant correlation (≈ .5) between successive recognition and recall. Basic versions of each model either under- or overpredict the intertask correlation. Introducing variability in goodness-of-encoding and response criteria, as well as output encoding, enabled all 4 models to reproduce the moderate intertask correlation and the increase in correlation observed in 2 mixed-list experiments. This model-based analysis provides a general theoretical framework for interpreting contingencies between successive memory tests. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new approach to adaptive control: no nonlinearities

In adaptive control the goal is to design a controller to control an uncertain system whose parameters may be changing with time. Typically the controller consists of an identifier (or tuner) which is used to adjust the parameters of a linear time-invariant (LTI) compensator, and under suitable assumptions on the plant model uncertainty it is proven that good asymptotic behaviour is achieved, such as model matching (for minimum phase systems) or stability. However, a typical adaptive controller does not track time-varying parameters very well, and it is often highly nonlinear, which can result in undesirable behaviour, such as large transients or a large control signal. Furthermore, most adaptive controllers provide only asymptotic tracking, with no ability to design for a pre-specified settling time.Here we propose an alternative approach, which yields a linear periodic controller. Rather than estimating the plant or compensator parameters, instead we estimate what the control signal would be if the plant parameters were known. In this paper we argue the utility of this approach and then examine the first order case in detail, including a simulation. We also explore the benefits and limitations of the approach.     

Coordination in networks: An economic equilibrium analysis

Networks utilizing modern communication technologies can offer competitive advantages to those using them wisely. But due to the existence of network effects, planning and operating cooperation networks is difficult. In this paper, the strategic situation of individual agents deciding on network participation is analysed. A systematic equilibrium analysis using computer-based simulations reveals principal solution scenarios for network agents and shows that network cooperation problems might frequently be not as difficult to resolve as often feared. In particular, strategic situations are identified showing that a majority of individuals might be better off getting the optimal solution from a central principal and that in many cases simple information intermediation can solve the start-up problem notorious in network economics.     

A Software Tool for Automatically Verified Operations on Intervals and Probability Distributions

We describe a software tool for performing automatically verified arithmetic operations on independent operands when the operands are intervals, or probability distribution functions, or one operand is an interval and the other is a distribution. Intervals and distributions are expressed using the same technique, so the algorithms do not need to distinguish between intervals and distributions in their operation. The tool can calculate common arithmetic operations with guaranteed results (as well as confidence limits on a distribution if the distribution is empirically estimated from samples).A previous paper [1] discusses the concepts, algorithms, and related work. Here we emphasize a software tool that implements the algorithms, interacts with the user via a graphical user interface, and saves, retrieves, and prints the results of its calculations.     

Simulation Study of Aspects of the Classical Hydrogen Atom Interacting with Electromagnetic Radiation: Elliptical Orbits

The present study examines the behavior of a classical charged point particle in near-elliptic orbits about an infinitely massive and oppositely charged nucleus, while acted upon by applied electromagnetic radiation. As recently shown for near-circular orbits, and now extended here to the elliptical case, rather surprising nonlinear dynamical effects are readily produced for this simple system. A broad range of stability-like conditions can be achieved by applying radiation to this classical atom. A perfect balance condition is examined, which requires an infinite number of plane waves representing harmonics of the orbital motion. By applying a scale factor to this radiation, stability-like conditions are produced where periodic variations in semimajor and semiminor axes occur for extended periods of time, before orbital decay eventually takes over due to the effects of radiation reaction. This work is expected to lead to both practical suggestions on experimental ideas involving controlling ionization and stabilization conditions, as well as hopefully aiding in theoretical explorations of stochastic electrodynamics.