Noninferior Nash Strategies for Multi-Team Systems

This paper is concerned with the optimization of systems that are controlled by several teams of decision makers. The decision makers within each team cooperate for the benefit of their team. On the other hand, the teams compete among themselves in order to achieve an objective that relates to the overall performance of the system. An approach that merges concepts from team theory and game theory for dealing with such systems and a solution called the noninferior Nash strategy are introduced. This multi-team solution provides a new framework for analyzing hierarchically controlled systems so as to address complicated coordination problems among the decision makers. The properties of the noninferior Nash solution in static multi-team systems are investigated and necessary conditions for its existence are derived. Analytical expressions for the noninferior Nash strategies are derived for a class of linear-quadratic static multi-team games. In order to deal with the issue of nonuniqueness of the solution, the concept of a noninferior Nash strategy with a team leader is introduced. Several examples are presented to illustrate the results.     

An existence theorem for neutral variational problems of Bolza

This note proves an existence theorem for a generalized Bolza-type problem that has time delays in both the state and velocity variables. The assumptions are stated in terms of a modification of the classical Hamiltonian, and extend ideas of Rockafellar to the delay case.     

Robust Output Tracking Control of an Uncertain Linear System via a Modified Optimal Linear-Quadratic Method

This study investigates the robust output tracking problem for a class of uncertain linear systems. The uncertainties are assumed to be time invariant and to satisfy the matching conditions. According to the selected nominal parameters, an optimal solution with a prescribed degree of stability is determined. Then, an auxiliary input via the use of an adapting factor, connected to the nominal optimal control, is introduced to guarantee the robustness and prescribed degree of stability for the output tracking control of the uncertain linear systems. This method is very simple and effective and can reject bounded uncertainties imposed on the states. A maglev vehicle model example is given to show its effectiveness.     

Path Integrals in Noncommutative Quantum Mechanics

We consider an extension of the Feynman path integral to the quantum mechanics of noncommuting spatial coordinates and formulate the corresponding formalism for noncommutative classical dynamics related to quadratic Lagrangians (Hamiltonians). The basis of our approach is that a quantum mechanical system with a noncommutative configuration space can be regarded as another effective system with commuting spatial coordinates. Because the path integral for quadratic Lagrangians is exactly solvable and a general formula for the probability amplitude exists, we restrict our research to this class of Lagrangians. We find a general relation between quadratic Lagrangians in their commutative and noncommutative regimes and present the corresponding noncommutative path integral. This method is illustrated with two quantum mechanical systems in the noncommutative plane: a particle in a constant field and a harmonic oscillator.     

Measurement of Hartmann-Hahn cross-polarization dynamics with quenching of proton T1ρ relaxation dependence

A simple modification of the standard cross-polarization method designed for quenching the proton T_1ρ dependence when studying polarization transfer is presented. It is demonstrated that by using this simple procedure, new and subtle details of cross-polarization dynamics, previously hidden by the T_1ρ(¹H) effect, can be observed in dipolar-coupled spin systems.     

转动系统的相对论性分析力学理论

本文讨论了转动相对论力学理论，主要是建立转动系统的相对论性分析力学理论·构造转动系统的相对论性广义动能函数Ｔｒ＝∑ｎｉ＝１Ｉ０ｉΓｉ２（１－１－θ·２ｉ／Γｉ２）和广义加速度能量函数Ｓｒ＝１２∑ｎｉ＝１Ｉｉ（θ·ｉ·θ¨ｉ）２Γｉ２－θ·２ｉ＋θ¨２ｉ，给出其Ｈａｍｉｌｔｏｎ原理和三种不同形式的Ｄ′Ａｌｅｍｂｅｒｔ原理；对于完整约束系统，建立了转动系统的相对论性Ｌａｇｒａｎｇｅ方程、Ｎｉｅｌｓｅｎ方程、Ａｐｐｅｌ方程和Ｈａｍｉｌｔｏｎ正则方程；对于非完整约束系统，建立了转动系统的相对论性Ｒｏｕｔｈ方程、Чаплыгин方程、Ｎｉｅｌｓｅｎ方程和Ａｐｐｅｌ方程；并给出转动系统的相对论性Ｎｏｅｔｈｅｒ守恒律     

Some Remarks on Left-Definite Hamiltonian Systems in the Regular Case

In the paper, a new method of constructing asymptotic solutions of differential equations on manifolds with singularities is presented. This method allows not only to widen essentially the space of asymptotics but also to obtain explicit formulas for asymptotic expansions, in particular, in the case when in a neighborhood of a singular point there exist strata of different dimensions.     

AN ENCOMPASSING APPROACH TO MODELING FISHERY DYNAMICS: MODELING DYNAMIC NONLINEAR SYSTEMS

Uncertainty about the nature and significance of nonlinearities and the manner in which dynamics affect future realizations makes model specification the most difficult aspect of modeling dynamic systems. By interpreting several popular fishery models as subcases of a nesting dynamic Taylor series approximation, we isolate the specification differences between these models in a way that accounts for commonalities. On the argument that the differences due to alternative nonlinear forms are likely to be small compared to more mundane considerations such as delay difference and general dynamic lag specification, we propose an alternative model that uses the terms from the first order approximation common to all models combined with a data-based determination of the appropriate lags using the methods of state space time series analysis. Finally, the success of the alternative models is judged in an application to Pacific halibut data.     

Internal audits in private medical laboratory practice – a Finnish experience in 1996–2000

Internal audits inherently effect quality improvement, and concrete results can be expected by careful planning. As audits should improve the quality system in situ, the development of audits should not be neglected. ISO/IEC 17025 describes the objectives of internal audits and management reviews in more detail compared to the former standards EN 45001 and ISO/IEC Guide 25, although the main features are unchanged. This addresses continuous surveillance of the current practice. A brief questionnaire on vertical audits was distributed to 74 of 120 employees at a Finnish private medical laboratory, Medix Laboratories Ltd. A positive feed-back was received from the current management of audits. However, the study revealed that continuous supervision of audits is needed. Many employees were not willing to perform audits if they had no previous experience. Additionally, audits performed at the workbench were not considered as the best possible for fruitful discussions. Received: 20 February 2001 Accepted: 30 November 2001     

Selective spatial localization of the atom displacements in one-dimensional hybrid quasi-regular (Thue-Morse and Rudin-Shapiro)/periodic structures

We have studied the vibrational frequencies and atom displacements of one-dimensional systems formed by combinations of Thue-Morse and Rudin-Shapiro quasi-regular stackings with periodic ones. The materials are described by nearest-neighbor force constants and the corresponding atom masses. These systems exhibit differences in the frequency spectrum as compared to the original simple quasi-regular generations and periodic structures. The most important feature is the presence of separate confinement of the atom displacements in one of the parts forming the total composite structure for different frequency ranges, thus acting as a kind of phononic cavity.