Edge agreement of second-order multi-agent system with dynamic quantization via the directed edge Laplacian

This work explores the edge agreement problem of second-order multi-agent systems with dynamic quantization under directed communication. To begin with, by virtue of the directed edge Laplacian, we propose a model reduction representation of the closed-loop multi-agent system depending on the spanning tree subgraph. Considering the limitations of the finite bandwidth channels, the quantization effects of second-order multi-agent systems under directed graph are considered. The static quantizers generally contain a fixed quantization interval and infinite quantization level, which are, to some extent, inefficient and impractical. To further reduce the bit depth (number of bits available) and to obtain better precision, the dynamic quantized communication strategy referring to zooming in-zooming out scheme is required. Based on the reduced model associated with the essential edge Laplacian, the asymptotic stability of second-order multi-agent systems under dynamic quantized effects with only finite quantization level can be guaranteed. Finally, the simulation of altitude alignment of micro air vehicles is provided to verify the theoretical results.     

Dynamic Aggregation Operators Based on Intuitionistic Fuzzy Tools and Einstein Operations

The idea of combine aggregation and intuitionistic fuzzy information plays essential role in multi criteria decision making (MCDM) process. However, this new branch has attracted researchers that study in different fields recently. In this paper, we study MCDM problems with intuitionistic fuzzy environment. Firstly, we introduce some operations related with Einstein t-norm and t-conorm such as, Einstein sum, product and exponentiation. After that, we define dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy Einstein averaging (DIFWA${}^{?}$) operator and dynamic intuitionistic fuzzy Einstein geometric averaging (DIFWG${}^{?}$) operator. Their notable property is that collect and aggregate values in different period based on Einstein operations in intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS)s. In addition, we compare the defined operators with the existing intuitionistic fuzzy dynamic operators and get the corresponding relations. We establish two methods using with DIFWA${}^{?}$ and DIFWG${}^{?}$ to solve MCDM problems with intuitionistic fuzzy tools. Finally, an illustrated example is presented to show the applicability of the introduced methods.     

Synthesis of highly luminescent carbon dots from postconsumer waste silk cloth and investigation of its electron transfer dynamics with methyl viologen dichloride

Synthesis of luminescent carbon dots (CDs) from biological waste materials is gaining more attention in the present-day scenario. We have synthesized highly luminescent (luminescence quantum yield, φ ​= ​19.1%), water-soluble CDs from a postconsumer waste silk cloth via a facile hydrothermal synthetic method. The resulting CDs are characterized and their photophysical properties are studied in detail. The electron transfer dynamics of CDs in presence of methyl viologen dichloride hydrate (MV²⁺) is systematically investigated in this work. Knowledge of the electron transfer dynamics of CDs is essential in the structural elucidation of CDs, prediction of sensing mechanisms and utilizing the CDs in energy storage devices.     

Quantification of the bisphosphonate alendronate using capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry with dynamic pH barrage junction focusing

A quantitative method was developed for the direct identity confirmation and quantification of alendronate using CE-MS combined with a pH-assisted focusing technique, dynamic pH barrage junction focusing. A pH-induced variation in electrophoretic mobility led to online focusing of alendronate at the sample/pH barrage boundary, significantly improving the detection sensitivity. In addition, the use of a flow-through microvial CE electrospray interface and the multiple reaction monitoring mode of MS further improved the specificity and quantification capability of this technology. This quantitative method presented a wide linear dynamic range over 8–2000 ng/mL and an LOD of 2 ng/mL. A 460-fold improvement in sensitivity was obtained when pH barrage junction focusing was applied during the CE process, in comparison to when normal CE was conducted without online sample stacking. The superior detection sensitivity over previously reported methods enables direct analysis of bisphosphonate compounds, eliminating tedious pre-column sample enrichment and derivatization. Validation of alendronate content in a commercial drug tablet further proved the reliability and power of this method. This simple method with no sample derivatization, superior sensitivity, and short run time (<8 min) is a promising alternative for accurate quantification of alendronate and other types of bisphosphonate compounds in both drug formulations and plasma samples.     

“Solid-Liquid” Vitrimers Based on Dynamic Boronic Ester Networks

The "solid-liquid" behavior of vitrimers have not been systematically investigated. Herein, a series of "solid-liquid" vitrimers bearing varying contents of dynamic boronic ester bonds were synthesized via thiol-ene click reactions. These vitrimers allow for flexibile modulation of their network structures and thus show a range of intriguing properties including high stretchability, flexible transition from elasticity to plasticity, strong strain rate dependence, and solid-liquid performance. The dynamic association rate of boronic ester bonds within these vitrimers could be apparently accelerated via increasing the content of boronic ester, which could be used to shape-program the flat vitrimer films into various complex 3 D structures just with external force. Materials with such versatile dynamic behavior may open up a range of new applications.     

Risk-averse stochastic optimal control: An efficiently computable statistical upper bound

In this paper, we discuss an application of the Stochastic Dual Dynamic Programming (SDDP) type algorithm to nested risk-averse formulations of Stochastic Optimal Control (SOC) problems. We propose a construction of a statistical upper bound for the optimal value of risk-averse SOC problems. This outlines an approach to a solution of a long standing problem in that area of research. The bound holds for a large class of convex and monotone conditional risk mappings. Finally, we show the validity of the statistical upper bound to solve a real-life stochastic hydro-thermal planning problem.     

Contractivity of Bellman operator in risk averse dynamic programming with infinite horizon

The paper deals with a risk averse dynamic programming problem with infinite horizon. First, the required assumptions are formulated to have the problem well defined. Then the Bellman equation is derived, which may be also seen as a standalone reinforcement learning problem. The fact that the Bellman operator is contraction is proved, guaranteeing convergence of various solution algorithms used for dynamic programming as well as reinforcement learning problems, which we demonstrate on the value iteration and the policy iteration algorithms.     

基于散射实验极化靶的2.5T/1.3K的动态核极化(DNP)系统的开发

动态核极化法(Dynamic Nuclear Polarization, DNP)是利用热平衡下的电子在磁场中的高自旋极化率转移到原子核自旋的技术,从而极大的提高原子核自旋极化率。多种动态极化靶材料已广泛的用于自旋物理散射实验。本文介绍一种简单实用,共同开发的日本山形大学DNP系统,包括超导磁场,氦4蒸发恒冷器,微波系统以及NMR核磁共振检测系统,测得中子靶材料氘带丁醇(D-butanol)中氘核的极化率在2.5T/1.3K达到+6.5%。     

Measurement of energy release rate and energy flux of rapidly bifurcating crack in Homalite 100 and Araldite B by high-speed holographic microscopy

High-speed holographic microscopy is applied to take three successive photographs of fast propagating cracks in Homalite 100 or in Araldite B at the moment of bifurcation. Crack speed at bifurcation is about 540 m/s on Homalite 100, and about 450 m/s on Araldite B. From the photographs, crack speeds immediately before and after bifurcation are obtained, and it is found that discontinuous change of crack speed does not exist at the moment of bifurcation in the case of Homalite 100, but exists in the case of Araldite B. From the photographs, crack opening displacement (COD) is also measured along the cracks as a function of distance r from the crack tips. The measurement results show that the CODs are proportional to √r before bifurcation. After bifurcation, the CODs of mother cracks are proportional to √r, though the CODs of branch cracks are not always proportional to √r. The energy release rate is obtained from the measured CODs, and it is found that energy release rate is continuous at bifurcation point in both cases of Homalite 100 and Araldite B. Energy flux that shows the energy flow toward a crack tip is also obtained.