4,441 research outputs found
Invariance principles for switched systems with restrictions
In this paper we consider switched nonlinear systems under average dwell time
switching signals, with an otherwise arbitrary compact index set and with
additional constraints in the switchings. We present invariance principles for
these systems and derive by using observability-like notions some convergence
and asymptotic stability criteria. These results enable us to analyze the
stability of solutions of switched systems with both state-dependent
constrained switching and switching whose logic has memory, i.e., the active
subsystem only can switch to a prescribed subset of subsystems.Comment: 29 pages, 2 Appendixe
Ignorance and indifference
The epistemic state of complete ignorance is not a probability distribution. In it, we assign the same, unique, ignorance degree of belief to any contingent outcome and each of its contingent, disjunctive parts. That this is the appropriate way to represent complete ignorance is established by two instruments, each individually strong enough to identify this state. They are the principle of indifference (PI) and the notion that ignorance is invariant under certain redescriptions of the outcome space, here developed into the 'principle of invariance of ignorance' (PII). Both instruments are so innocuous as almost to be platitudes. Yet the literature in probabilistic epistemology has misdiagnosed them as paradoxical or defective since they generate inconsistencies when conjoined with the assumption that an epistemic state must be a probability distribution. To underscore the need to drop this assumption, I express PII in its most defensible form as relating symmetric descriptions and show that paradoxes still arise if we assume the ignorance state to be a probability distribution. Copyright 2008 by the Philosophy of Science Association. All rights reserved
Combining general relativity and quantum theory: points of conflict and contact
The issues related to bringing together the principles of general relativity
and quantum theory are discussed. After briefly summarising the points of
conflict between the two formalisms I focus on four specific themes in which
some contact has been established in the past between GR and quantum field
theory: (i) The role of planck length in the microstructure of spacetime (ii)
The role of quantum effects in cosmology and origin of the universe (iii) The
thermodynamics of spacetimes with horizons and especially the concept of
entropy related to spacetime geometry (iv) The problem of the cosmological
constant.Comment: Invited Talk at "The Early Universe and Cosmological Observations: a
Critical Review", UCT, Cape Town, 23-25 July,2001; to appear in
Class.Quan.Gra
Invariance Principles and Observability in Switched Systems with an Application in Consensus
Using any nonnegative function with a nonpositive derivative along
trajectories to define a virtual output, the classic LaSalle invariance
principle can be extended to switched nonlinear time-varying (NLTV) systems, by
considering the weak observability (WO) associated with this output. WO is what
the output informs about the limiting behavior of state trajectories (hidden in
the zero locus of the output). In the context of switched NLTV systems, WO can
be explored using the recently established framework of limiting zeroing-output
solutions. Adding to this, an extension of the integral invariance principle
for switched NLTV systems with a new method to guarantee uniform global
attractivity of a closed set (without assuming uniform Lyapunov stability or
dwell-time conditions) is proposed. By way of illustrating the proposed method,
a leaderless consensus problem for nonholonomic mobile robots with a switching
communication topology is addressed, yielding a new control strategy and a new
convergence result
Are gauge symmetry transformations observable?
In a recent paper in the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, Kosso discussed the observational status of continuous symmetries of physics. While we are in broad agreement with his approach, we disagree with his analysis. In the discussion of the status of gauge symmetry, a set of examples offered by ’t Hooft has influenced several philosophers, including Kosso; in all cases the interpretation of the examples is mistaken. In this paper we present our preferred approach to the empirical significance of symmetries, re-analysing the cases of gauge symmetry and general covariance
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