A note on the value function for constrained control problems

We consider the Mayer optimal control problem with dynamics given by a nonconvex differential inclusion, whose trajectories are constrained to a given set and we obtain a relation between the costate function that appears in the maximum principle and the value function. This relation extends the known conditions existing in the literature for unconstrained problems to those for problems under state constraints.     

Web-service based architecture to support SCM context-awareness and interoperability

Integration of Web-Services and “smart objects” in supply chain manufacturing systems (SCM) enables enterprise innovation and competitiveness in a globalized economy. The paper proposes a web-service based architecture for SCM that enables enterprises to develop context-awareness and to achieve interoperability at data, services, processes and business levels using event based web service notifications. The architecture is analyzed and implemented following the case study of an enterprise in the automotive industry.     

Synthesis and characterization of a titanium phosphate-tellurite glass for Faraday rotators

This work is focused on investigation of thermal, structural, optical, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties of novel titanium phosphate-tellurite glass applied as Faraday rotators. The glass belonging to the system 35Li₂O–10Al₂O₃–5TiO₂–45P₂O₅–5TeO₂ was prepared by a nonconventional wet route of raw materials processing, followed by melting-quenching-annealing steps. Some important physical properties of the investigated glass have been measured and calculated, providing knowledge related to glass compactness, electronic structure, glass forming capability, etc. XRD analysis evidenced an amorphous network structure of the investigated glass. The optical absorption in the Vis domain is mainly due to Ti³⁺ ions and Te₂ clusters formed during the glass melting process. A relatively low optical absorption is noticed over 600 nm that activates a significant Faraday magneto-optical effect. Photoluminescence bands in the blue, red, and infrared domains are observed, caused by Te₂ clusters formed during the glass melting process. The magnetization in dependency on applied magnetic field reveals a complex behavior of the glass, depending on temperature. Thus, it is found a ferromagnetic behavior up to 2000 Oe, a paramagnetic component up to 40 000 Oe, followed by a diamagnetic one over 40 000 Oe. Faraday rotation angle and Verdet constant values in the visible domain are correlated with the reduced TeO₂ content of the glass.     

Image-based truss recognition for density-based topology optimization approach

Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization - Topology optimization is a tool that supports the creativity of structural-designers and is used in various industries, from automotive to...     

Cellular and Molecular Targets for Non-Invasive,Non-Pharmacological Therapeutic/Rehabilitative Interventions in Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: Cerebral circulation delivers the blood flow to the brain through a dedicated network of sanguine vessels. A healthy human brain can regulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) according to any physiological or pathological challenges. The brain is protected by its self-regulatory mechanisms, which are dependent on neuronal and support cellular populations, including endothelial ones, as well as metabolic, and even myogenic factors. OBJECTIVES: Accumulating data suggest that “non-pharmacological” approaches might provide new opportunities for stroke therapy, such as electro-/acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, hypothermia/cooling, photobiomodulation, therapeutic gases, transcranial direct current stimulations, or transcranial magnetic stimulations. We reviewed the recent data on the mechanisms and clinical implications of these non-pharmaceutical treatments. METHODS: To present the state-of-the-art for currently available non-invasive, non-pharmacological-related interventions in acute ischemic stroke, we accomplished this synthetic and systematic literature review based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Principles Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). RESULTS: The initial number of obtained articles was 313. After fulfilling the five steps in the filtering/selection methodology, 54 fully eligible papers were selected for synthetic review. We enhanced our documentation with other bibliographic resources connected to our subject, identified in the literature within a non-standardized search, to fill the knowledge gaps. Fifteen clinical trials were also identified. DISCUSSION: Non-invasive, non-pharmacological therapeutic/rehabilitative interventions for acute ischemic stroke are mainly holistic therapies. Therefore, most of them are not yet routinely used in clinical practice, despite some possible beneficial effects, which have yet to be supplementarily proven in more related studies. Moreover, few of the identified clinical trials are already completed and most do not have final results. CONCLUSIONS: This review synthesizes the current findings on acute ischemic stroke therapeutic/rehabilitative interventions, described as non-invasive and non-pharmacological.     

A novel packaging approach for RF MEMS switching functions on alumina substrate

This paper reports the design of a hermetic-compatible wafer-scale package for RF MEMS based components. The presented packaging concept consists in encapsulating the whole RF device or subsystem instead of encapsulating each MEMS component separately, which will reduce the device size and cost. This approach is based on the MEMS fabrication technology on ceramic substrate and the use of laser drilled vias hole techniques to realize full metallized vias in alumina substrates. These vias holes will allow a low loss RF signal transmission inside the package without breaking its hermeticity. Hence, several packaged switching networks prototypes, based on ohmic contact MEMS switches, have been designed following this approach and the packaging electromagnetic impact on these components has been especially studied to result on good performance devices.     

Electrical conduction mechanisms of metal nanoclusters embedded in an amorphous Al2O3 matrix

We present the synthesis and electrical characterization of amorphous nanocomposite layers made of metallic nanoclusters embedded in an alumina matrix (nc-Co:Al₂O₃). The nanostructured materials were fabricated using a pulsed laser deposition (PLD)-derived method based on a nano-cluster generator coupled with a conventional PLD system for host medium co-deposition. The films were subjected to a detailed structural study carried out using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The clusters inserted in the alumina matrix are metallic, well crystallized and possess an fcc structure with an average diameter centered at ∼ 2 nm. Dielectric constant and electrical conduction mechanisms of nc-Co:Al₂O₃ layers integrated in metal-insulator-metal capacitive structures were studied for different doping levels and for a broad temperature range (303-473 K). It was concluded that the dielectric constant in the films depends on the doping levels while the major electrical conduction mechanisms are best described by the space charge limited currents formalism, in which the current density J on an applied voltage V follow a power-law dependence (J ∼ Vⁿ) at applied voltages higher than ∼ 2 V. Such composite may find immediate applications as dielectric layers with controlled discharging conduction paths in Radio Frequency-Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems capacitive structures.