Synchronization in heterogeneous networks of discrete‐time introspective right‐invertible agents

This paper studies output synchronization problem, formation problem, and regulated synchronization problem for a heterogenous network of discrete‐time introspective right‐invertible agents. We first propose a decentralized control scheme to solve the output synchronization problem for a set of communication topologies. Moreover, if the synchronization trajectories are assumed to be bounded, a universal controller can be constructed for all communication topologies, which contain a directed spanning tree. The design can be applied to solve the formation problem with arbitrary formation vectors. In the regulated synchronization problem, we assume only the root receives information from exosystem. We then design a decentralized controller to solve the problem for a set of communication topologies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical and experimental study of shear localization in chip formation in orthogonal machining

A simplified theory of instability of plastic flow is applied to analyze the formation of shear localized chips in orthogonal machining. A flow localization parameter is expressed in terms of associated cutting conditions and properties of the workpiece material. The analysis, which indicates the important parameters in the cutting process, is used to investigate the effect of cutting conditions on the onset of shear localization and the formation of adiabatic shear banding in metal cutting. Comparisons are made between the analysis and experiments in which the flow localization parameter is obtained for several workpiece materials. The results of this investigation seem to support the analysis and its potential benefits in analyzing and/or remedying problems associated with chip formation and temperature generated in metal cutting. Presently at Advanced Technology Center, Valenite, Inc., Madison Heights,MI 48071, USA     

Dynamic behavior of the discrete‐time double integrator with saturated locally stabilizing linear state feedback laws

The main contribution of this paper is to completely characterize the dynamic behavior of the discrete‐time double integrator with a saturated locally stabilizing linear state feedback law. In continuous‐time setting, any linear state feedback control law that locally stabilizes the double integrator also globally stabilizes the system in the presence of actuator saturation. In discrete‐time setting, the equivalent of the double integrator does not have the same property. In this paper, we completely characterize the global behavior of saturated locally stabilizing linear state feedback laws for the discrete‐time double integrator. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Template-directed synthesis of nitrogen- and sulfur-codoped carbon nanowire aerogels with enhanced electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction

Heteroatom doping,precise composition control,and rational morphology design are efficient strategies for producing novel nanocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells.Herein,a cost-effective approach to synthesize nitrogen-and sulfur-codoped carbon nanowire aerogels using a hard templating method is proposed.The aerogels prepared using a combination of hydrothermal treatment and carbonization exhibit good catalytic activity for the ORR in alkaline solution.At the optimal annealing temperature and mass ratio between the nitrogen and sulfur precursors,the resultant aerogels show comparable electrocatalytic activity to that of a commercial Pt/C catalyst for the ORR.Importantly,the optimized catalyst shows much better long-term stability and satisfactory tolerance for the methanol crossover effect.These codoped aerogels are expected to have potential applications in fuel cells.     

The cost of sex revisited: effects of male gamete output of hermaphrodites that are asexual in their female capacity

The genetic cost of sexual reproduction has been attributed to two causes in mathematical formulations: male function or genome dilution. We develop and analyse a genetic model that shows that both costs occur, depending upon the conditions. The model differs from previous formulations in that the level of output and fertilization success of male gametes produced by hermaphrodites that are asexual in their female function (henceforth "parthenogenetic hermaphrodites") are treated as variables, rather than constants fixed at 0 or 1, as has previously been the case. By expressing the cost of sex in terms of per capita egg loss of sexual individuals and parthenogenetic hermaphrodites, we partition the cost into components due to male function and genome dilution. Which component dominates the cost of sex depends upon the relative male gamete output of the parthenogenetic hermaphrodites. The cost of sex is observed to increase, or remain unchanged in some marginal cases, with increases in (i) frequency of parthenogenetic hermaphrodites, (ii) fertilization success of male gametes produced by parthenogenetic hermaphrodites and (iii) potential eggs lost by diverting resources to male gamete production. In certain situations, parthenogenetic hermaphrodites with an intermediate level of male gamete output have the greatest fitness advantage over sexual individuals. If heritable variation for levels of male gamete output exists among parthenogenetic hermaphrodites, this raises the possibility of the evolution of optimal levels of male gamete production by parthenogenetic hermaphrodites through natural selection, in situations of recurring invasion of asexual populations by propagules from sexual populations, a scenario that is increasingly being appreciated as potentially fairly likely to occur in nature.     

Scalability issues with using FSMWeb to test web applications

Web applications are fast becoming more widespread, larger, more interactive, and more essential to the international use of computers. It is well understood that web applications must be highly dependable, and as a field we are just now beginning to understand how to model and test Web applications. One straightforward technique is to model Web applications as finite state machines. However, large numbers of input fields, input choices and the ability to enter values in any order combine to create a state space explosion problem. This paper evaluates a solution that uses constraints on the inputs to reduce the number of transitions, thus compressing the FSM. The paper presents an analysis of the potential savings of the compression technique and reports actual savings from two case studies.     

Semi‐global stabilization of discrete‐time systems subject to non‐right invertible constraints

This paper investigates time‐invariant linear systems subject to input and state constraints. We study discrete‐time systems with full or partial constraints on both input and state. It has been shown earlier that the solvability conditions of stabilization problems are closely related to important concepts such as the right invertibility or non‐right invertibility of the constraints, the location of constraint invariant zeros, and the order of constraint infinite zeros. In this paper, for general time‐invariant linear systems with non‐right invertible constraints, necessary and sufficient conditions are developed under which semi‐global stabilization in the admissible set can be achieved by state feedback. Sufficient conditions are also developed for such a stabilization in the case where measurement feedback is used. Such sufficient conditions are almost necessary. Controllers for both state feedback and measurement feedback are constructed as well. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Understanding risk-taking behavior of groups: A “decision analysis” perspective

Past research has extensively investigated the effect of media, especially focusing on how anonymity increases risk-related behaviors of groups when using computer-mediated communication (CMC). This study extends prior research by examining the differences in group risk-taking behaviors between face-to-face groups and completely non-anonymous CMC groups (i.e., groups working in a fully identified, synchronous CMC environment similar to popular instant messaging systems utilized widely within organizations). Drawing on the “decision analysis” perspective, a key framework for understanding organizational decision-making, the study also examines the effects of the firm's risk preferences as well as the type of information distribution among group members (i.e., full information known to all group members versus partial information know by only some of the members) on the groups' risk-taking behaviors. Results from a laboratory experiment using student subjects found no differences in risk-taking behaviors between CMC and face-to-face groups; additionally, no differences were found related to how information was distributed among group members. A significant effect was found, however, for the risk preference of the firm, showing that risk-neutral firms influenced groups to make riskier decisions than groups from risk-averse firms. Finally, groups within risk-neutral firms receiving partial information made riskier decisions than groups receiving full information. The implications of these results for future research and practice are examined.     

The roles of user motivation to perform a task and decision support system (DSS) effectiveness and efficiency in DSS use

The purposes of this study are to: (1) obtain measures of actual decision support system (DSS) use that include the three elements of DSS use proposed by Burton-Jones and Straub (Burton-Jones, A., & Straub, D.W., Jr., (2006). Reconceptualizing system usage: An approach and empirical test. Information Systems Research, 17(3), 228–246), and (2) identify an important psychological construct – a user’s motivation to perform a task – and examine how it interacts with two DSS characteristics – effectiveness and efficiency – to affect actual DSS use. As predicted, the findings indicated that individuals who used a more effective DSS to work on a task that they were motivated in increased usage of the DSS, while DSS use did not differ between individuals who used either a more or less effective DSS to complete a task that they were less motivated in. The results also showed significant difference for two measures of DSS use (i.e., STEP and TIME) and no significant difference for one measure of DSS use (i.e., USE) between individuals who used either a more or less efficient DSS to perform a task that they were more motivated in. As expected, significant differences were found for individuals who used either a more or less efficient DSS to complete a task that they were less motivated in. Finally, the results showed that DSS use increased when perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the DSS were high; therefore, these results corroborate the findings of prior research in the context of actual DSS use.     

Unpacking the effect of IT capability on the performance of export-focused SMEs: a report from China

Abstract.  Export-focused small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China face a number of barriers to success, two primary ones being the liability of foreignness and resource scarcity. In order to transcend these challenges and be able to survive/prosper in the hypercompetitive international market, where players include large resourceful multinational organizations with experience in varied national contexts, these firms need to develop different organizational capabilities. In this paper, we specifically examine the role of a key organizational capability – information technology (IT) capability – and its different dimensions, in determining performance of export-focused SMEs in China. Our study reveals that IT capability has a positive impact on such firms' performance. This finding indicates the need for their owners/managers to invest in IT capability. Further, the study also highlights specific sub-dimensions of IT capability that export-focused Chinese SMEs should (or should not) develop, so as to derive maximum performance-related gains for the minimum amount spent on IT.