Decentralized stochastic control

Decentralized stochastic control refers to the multi-stage optimization of a dynamical system by multiple controllers that have access to different information. Decentralization of information gives rise to new conceptual challenges that require new solution approaches. In this expository paper, we use the notion of an information-state to explain the two commonly used solution approaches to decentralized control: the person-by-person approach and the common-information approach.     

Molecular Simulation and Statistical Learning Methods toward Predicting Drug–Polymer Amorphous Solid Dispersion Miscibility,Stability, and Formulation Design

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) have emerged as widespread formulations for drug delivery of poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Predicting the API solubility with various carriers in the API–carrier mixture and the principal API–carrier non-bonding interactions are critical factors for rational drug development and formulation decisions. Experimental determination of these interactions, solubility, and dissolution mechanisms is time-consuming, costly, and reliant on trial and error. To that end, molecular modeling has been applied to simulate ASD properties and mechanisms. Quantum mechanical methods elucidate the strength of API–carrier non-bonding interactions, while molecular dynamics simulations model and predict ASD physical stability, solubility, and dissolution mechanisms. Statistical learning models have been recently applied to the prediction of a variety of drug formulation properties and show immense potential for continued application in the understanding and prediction of ASD solubility. Continued theoretical progress and computational applications will accelerate lead compound development before clinical trials. This article reviews in silico research for the rational formulation design of low-solubility drugs. Pertinent theoretical groundwork is presented, modeling applications and limitations are discussed, and the prospective clinical benefits of accelerated ASD formulation are envisioned.     

HL-2M 装置主机安装工艺分析与研究

在 HL-2M 装置主机安装工艺方案制定和项目建设过程中采用 CAD&CAE 设计工艺分析方法,根据 各系统功能需求和安装进度需求,多次优化了主机安装工艺方案,对各系统之间的位置关系进行检查并对安装方 案进行了计算机辅助模拟,最终形成了完善的具有可实施性的安装工艺技术方案。对安装工艺方案进行了全面分 析与研究,总结论述了基准网的构建和关键部件的测量、绝缘与垫层工艺方案,装置核心区域磁导率控制等问题, 对未来聚变堆的建设与发展提供了有价值的设计和工艺参考。     

HL-2M 真空室制造工艺难点分析及优化

根据 HL-2M 真空室结构及运行工况,对 HL-2M 真空室制造过程的工艺难点进行了深入的分析。结 合前期试验段制造经验,优化了真空室制造工艺,细化了真空室产品的制造工艺方案。通过优化后工艺措施的实 施,提高了真空室的制造质量,并为后续磁约束聚变装置真空室的制造积累了大量的经验。     

HL-2M 初始放电位形及波形设计

利用 EFIT 设计了可用于 HL-2M 初始放电的圆截面限制器位形以及偏滤器位形;设计了满足放电击 穿条件要求(零场区域平均杂散磁场应不超过 20G)的零场位形。综合分析放电过程伏秒数消耗及真空室涡流的影 响,使用 PF8 线圈电流补偿真空室涡流产生的杂散磁场,设计了等离子体电流 200kA 的限制器位形及偏滤器位形 的自洽的放电波形。将该放电波形作为放电调试的参考波形,成功实现了限制器位形的初始放电实验。      

Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of unprotected indoles in water: a green solution to a long-standing challenge

An environmentally benign procedure for the hydrogenation of unprotected indoles is described. The hydrogenation reaction is catalyzed by Pt/C and activated by p-toluenesulfonic acid in water as a solvent. The efficacy of the method is illustrated by the hydrogenation of a variety of substituted indoles to their corresponding indolines which were obtained in excellent yields.     

Observation of Runaway Electron Behaviour During Disruptions in LHCD Discharges in the HT‐7 Tokamak

Production of runaway electrons during disruptions has been observed in the HT‐7 Tokamak. The runaway current plateaus, which can carry part of the pre‐disruptive current, are observed in lower‐hybrid current drive (LHCD) limiter discharges. It is found that the runaway current can mitigate the disruptions effectively. We can use gas puffing to increase the line‐averaged density to restrain the runaway electrons and rebuild the plasmas after the disruptions. Detailed observations are presented on the runaway electrons generated following disruptions in the HT‐7 tokamak discharges. The results indicate that the magnetic oscillations play a significant role in the loss of runaway electrons in disruptions. There are two important preconditions to rebuild plasmas by runaway electrons after the disruptions. One of them are weak magnetic oscillations; another one are LHWs (lower‐hybrid waves) (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A kinetic study on the conversion of cis-2-butene with deuterium on a Pd/Fe3O4 model catalyst

The conversion of cis-2-butene with deuterium over a well-defined Pd/Fe(3)O(4) model catalyst was studied by isothermal pulsed molecular beam (MB) experiments under ultra high vacuum conditions. This study focuses on the processes related to dissociative hydrogen adsorption and diffusion into the subsurface of Pd nanoparticles and their influence on the activity and selectivity toward competing cis-trans isomerization and hydrogenation pathways. The reactivity was studied both under steady state conditions and in the transient regime, in which the reaction takes place on a D-saturated catalyst, over a large range of reactant pressures and reaction temperatures. We show that large olefin coverages negatively affect the abundance of D species, as indicated by a reduction of both reaction rates under steady state conditions as compared to the transient reactivity on the catalyst pre-saturated with D(2). Limitations in D availability during the steady state lead to a very weak dependence of both reaction rates on the olefin pressure. In contrast, when the surface is initially saturated with D, the transient reaction rates of both pathways exhibit positive kinetic orders on the butene pressure. Cis-trans isomerization and hydrogenation show kinetic orders of +0.7 and +1.0 on the D(2) pressure, respectively. Increasing availability of D noticeably shifts the selectivity toward hydrogenation. These observations together with the analysis of the transient reaction behavior suggest that the activity and selectivity of the catalyst is strongly controlled by its ability to build up and maintain a sufficiently high concentration of D species under reaction conditions. The temperature dependence of the reaction rates indicates that higher activation energies are required for the hydrogenation pathway than for the cis-trans isomerization pathway, implying that different rate limiting steps are involved in the competing reactions.     

Light-activated ionic gelation of common biopolymers

Biopolymers such as alginate and pectin are well known for their ability to undergo gelation upon addition of multivalent cations such as calcium (Ca(2+)). Here, we report a simple way to activate such ionic gelation by UV irradiation. Our approach involves combining an insoluble salt of the cation (e.g., calcium carbonate, CaCO(3)) with an aqueous solution of the polymer (e.g., alginate) along with a third component, a photoacid generator (PAG). Upon UV irradiation, the PAG dissociates to release H(+) ions, which react with the CaCO(3) to generate free Ca(2+). In turn, the Ca(2+) ions cross-link the alginate chains into a physical network, thereby resulting in a hydrogel. Dynamic rheological experiments confirm the elastic character of the alginate gel, and the gel modulus is shown to be tunable via the irradiation time as well as the PAG and alginate concentrations. The above approach is easily extended to other biopolymers such as pectin. Using this approach, a photoresponse can be imparted to conventional biopolymers without the need for any chemical modification of the molecules. Photoresponsive alginate gels may be useful in creating biomaterials or tissue mimics. As a step toward potential applications, we demonstrate the ability to photopattern a thin film of alginate gel onto a glass substrate under mild conditions.