Asymptotic properties of constrained Markov Decision Processes

We present in this paper several asymptotic properties of constrained Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) with a countable state space. We treat both the discounted and the expected average cost, with unbounded cost. We are interested in (1) the convergence of finite horizon MDPs to the infinite horizon MDP, (2) convergence of MDPs with a truncated state space to the problem with infinite state space, (3) convergence of MDPs as the discount factor goes to a limit. In all these cases we establish the convergence of optimal values and policies. Moreover, based on the optimal policy for the limiting problem, we construct policies which are almost optimal for the other (approximating) problems. Based on the convergence of MDPs with a truncated state space to the problem with infinite state space, we show that an optimal stationary policy exists such that the number of randomisations it uses is less or equal to the number of constraints plus one. We finally apply the results to a dynamic scheduling problem.This work was partially supported by the Chateaubriand fellowship from the French embassy in Israel and by the European Grant BRA-QMIPS of CEC DG XIII     

钢卷尺刻度在线测量系

本文介绍了一种钢卷尺刻度在线测量系统 ,它采用了高速摄像及计算机数据处理技术 ,文章阐述了系统的非接触动态测量原理 ,描述了光电信号的处理方法 .     

Sr1-xLaxTiO3的高温高压合成及XPS研究

 利用高温高压方法合成了有稀土元素La掺杂的钙钛矿氧化物Sr_1-xLa_xTiO₃。XRD测试表明，在x≤0.5时，样品基本为单相，呈立方相；晶胞体积随x的增加而增加，在x=0.4时开始减小。XPS测量发现，样品中存在Ti离子的变价。讨论了Ti离子价态的变化对晶格参数的影响。     

Viscoelasticity and birefringence of polyisoprene

The complex Young's modulus, E^*(ω), and the complex strain-optical coefficient, O^*(ω), which is the ratio of the birefringence to the strain, were measured for polyisoprene (PIP) over a frequency range of 1 ～ 130 Hz and a temperature range of 22 ～ ?100°C. The imaginary part of O^*, O″, was positive at low frequencies and negative at high frequencies. The real part, O′, was always positive and showed a maximum. The complicated behavior of O^* could be understood by the assumption that E^* = E_R^* + E_G^* and O^* = C_RE_R^* + C_GE_G^*, where E_R^* and E_G^* were complex quantities and C_R and C_G were constants. The C_R value, equal to the ordinary stress-optical coefficient measured in the rubbery plateau zone, was 2.0 × 10^?9 Pa^?1. The C_G value, defined as the ratio O″/E″ in the glassy zone, was ?1.1 × 10^?11 Pa^?1. The E_G^*, which was the major component of E^* in the glassy zone, showed almost the same frequency dependence as that of polystyrene and polycarbonate. The E_R^*, which was dominant in the rubbery zone, was described well by the bead-spring theory. The temperature dependence of the E_G^* was stronger than that of the E_R^*. This difference caused the breakdown of the thermorheological simplicity for E^* and O^* around the glass-to-rubber transition zone. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Experimental investigation on large deflection response of a frame impacted by a moving body

This paper reports on the experimental investigation of the dynamic large deflection response of a portal frame impacted at its midspan by a body moving at a certain speed. Both the deflection and velocity vs. time curves of the midspan and the dynamic history of a number of desired locations were recorded during the process of response. On the basis of the test data, the momentum and kinetic energy conversion between the frame and the moving body in the impact process are realized, and the occurrence and expansion of plastic regions are described. Investigation results show that the initial collision is approximately ideally inelastic, and that the elastic deformation plays a considerable role in the response though the input energy is much larger than the maximum elastic energy capacity of the beam member; therefore, in a general impact, the energy ratio should not be regarded as a sufficient criterion for a rigid—plastic solution. The ratios of the impulse transferred to and the energy absorbed by the frame in the initial collision to that carried by the moving body before impact is only related to the ratiobetween the equivalent mass of the frame paticipating in the initial collision and the mass of the impacting body, having nothing to do with the impacting velocity to a certain extent.     

Γ andX bandgap hydrostatic deformation potentials for epitaxial In0.52Al0.48As on InP(001)

The pressure dependence of the direct and indirect bandgap of epitaxial In_0.52Al_0.48As on InP(001) substrate has been measured using photoluminescence up to 92 kbar hydrostatic pressure. The bandgap changes from Γ toX at an applied pressure of ∼ 43 kbar. Hydrostatic deformation potentials for both the Γ andX bandgaps are deduced, after correcting for the elastic constant (bulk modulus) mismatch between the epilayer and the substrate. For the epilayer we obtain and+(2.81±0.15)eV for the Γ andX bandgaps respectively. From the pressure dependence of the normalized Γ-bandgap photoluminescence intensity a Γ-X lifetime ratio, (τ_Γ/τ _X ), of 4.1×10⁻³ is deduced.     

Pressure and temperature effects on the excess deuteron and proton conductance

The limiting molar conductances ° of deuterium chloride DCl in D₂O were determined as a function of pressure and temperature in order to examine the proton-jump mechanism in detail. The excess deuteron conductances °_E(D ⁺), as estimated by the equation [°_E(D ⁺) = °(DCl/D ₂ O) – °(KCl/D ₂ O)], increases with an increase in the pressure and temperature as well as the excess proton conductance [°_E(H ⁺) = °(HCl/H ₂ O) – °(KCl/H ₂ O)]. The isotope effect on the excess conductances, however, depends on the pressure and temperature contrary to the model proposed by Conway et al.: °_E(H ⁺)/°_E(D ⁺) decreases with increasing pressure and temperature. The magnitude of the decrease with pressure becomes more prominent at lower temperature. These results are discussed in terms of the pre-rotation of adjacent water molecules, the bending of hydrogen bonds with pressure, and the difference in strength of hydrogen bonds between D₂O and H₂O.     

PHASE INVERSION AND ITS MECHANICAL MODEL STUDIES FOR THE TWO-PHASE POLYMER BLEND SYSTEMS (Ⅱ)——DYNAMIC VISCOELASTIC RESPONSE

The dynamic viscoelastic response of the two-phase polymer blend systems shows the characteristics of the thermorheologically complex materials. In this paper theoretical equations for describing the dynamic viscoelastic response of such polymer blend systems have been established by means of the mechanical modeling technique. The dynamic viscoelastic response of the blend systems at any blend composition can be predicted theoretically by using the equations established, provided that the dynamic viscoelastic response of the two pure components and the mechanical model parameters are known in advance. Thus, we provide an effective method for studying the dynamic mechanical properties and the molecular relaxation characteristics of the two-phase polymer blend systems.     

Effect of pressure on the solubilities ofo-,m- andp-xylene in water

The solubilities of o-, m- and p-xylene in water were measured at 25.0°C up to 250, 385, and 50 MPa, respectively. The solubility increased with increasing pressure up to 120 MPa (50 MPa for p-xylene) and then decreased. The reaction volumes, V^o accompanying the dissolution at 0.1 MPa were estimated as –3.6±0.5, –3.4±0.5, and –4.1±0.5 cm³-mol^–1 for o-, m-, and p-xylene, respectively, from the pressure dependences of the solubilities. The limiting partial molar volumes, of p- and o-xylene in water under high pressure were estimated from V^o and the molar volume of the xylene. The partial molar volumes decreased with increasing pressure. The reaction volume for the formation of intra-molecular pairwise hydrophobic interaction between the methyl groups, as proposed by Ben-Naim, is discussed for the V^o of p- and o-xylene at 0.1 MPa.     

Clathrate formation in water-cyclic ether systems at high pressures

Experimental data on the investigation of the water-trimethyleneoxide system,P, t, x phase diagram (up to 6 kbar) are presented. The results are compared with those on water systems with ethyleneoxide, 1,3- and 1,4-dioxane, 1,3-dioxolane and tetrahydrofuran, on the basis of which a summarizedP, t, x diagram is plotted for water-cyclic ether systems. It is shown that in all the systems in which a cubic structure II hydrate forms at 1 bar, it eventually turns to cubic structure I under pressure. The nature of high pressure hydrates is discussed.Dedicated to the memory of D. W. Davidson.