Dynamic max-consensus with local self-tuning

This work describes a novel control protocol for multi-agent systems to solve the dynamic max-consensus problem. In this problem, each agent has access to an external timevarying scalar signal and has the objective to estimate and track the maximum among all these signals by exploiting only local communications. The main strength of the proposed protocol is that it is able to self-tune its internal parameters in order to achieve an arbitrary small steady-state error without significantly affecting the convergence time. We employ the proposed protocol in the context of distributed graph parameter estimations, such as size, diameter, and radius, and provide simulations in the scenario of open multi-agent systems. Copyright (C) 2022 The Authors

A Sliding Mode Observer design for the Average State Estimation in Large-Scale Systems

In this letter the average state estimation problem on a large-scale system with only few gateway nodes available for measurements is solved as the design problem of a reduced-order sliding mode observer subjected to unmatched perturbations. Necessary and sufficient conditions to guarantee the exact estimation are derived. Still, even in the case such conditions are not fulfilled, the boundedness of the estimation error is proved. Finally, a criteria to minimize such bound, and a gain adaptation law to trade-off that bound and its convergence rate are provided. Neither the observer complexity nor the estimation error depend explicitly on the size of the system, thus making the approach scalable and computationally tractable. Simulations supporting the effectiveness of the proposed strategy and a comparison with other existing strategies are also provided

Bis(N,N-diethyl­dithio­carbamato)(1,10-phenanthroline)cobalt(III) tetra­fluorido­borate

The cationic complex in the structure of the title compound, [Co(Et2NCS2)2(C12H8N2)]BF4, has a CoIII atom with a distorted octa­hedral coordination formed by four S atoms of two diethyl­dithio­carbamate and two N atoms of 1,10-phenanthroline ligands. The crystal structure features head-to-tail stacking of the phenanthroline ligands. The tetra­fluorido­borate anions are positioned in the channels between the cation stacks running along the a axis, and form weak C—H⋯F interactions

Real-time seat allocation for minimizing boarding/alighting time and improving quality of service and safety for passengers

Rail is considered as one of the most important ways of transferring passengers. High passenger loads has implications on train punctuality. One of the important parameters affecting punctuality is the average boarding/alighting time. Organizing boarding/alighting flows not only reduces the risk of extended dwell time, but also minimizes the risk of injuries and improves the overall service quality. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of minimizing the boarding/alighting time by maintaining a uniform load on carriages through systematic distribution of passengers with flexible tickets, such as season or anytime tickets where no seat information are provided at the time of reservation. To achieve this, the proposed algorithm takes other information such as passenger final destination, uniform load of luggage areas, as well as group travelers into account. Moreover, a discrete event simulation is designed for measuring the performance of the proposed method. The performance of the proposed method is compared with three algorithms on different test scenarios. The results show the superiority of the proposed method in terms of minimizing boarding/alighting time as well as increasing the success rate of assigning group of seats to group of passengers

Insight into the Properties of Heteroleptic Metal Dithiolenes: Multistimuli Responsive Luminescence, Chromism, and Nonlinear Optics

A comprehensive investigation of the functional properties of heteroleptic donor-M-acceptor dithiolene complexes Bu4N[MII(L1)(L2)] is presented (M = Pd, Pt). The acceptor L1 consists of the chiral (R)-(+)α-methylbenzyldithiooxamidate ((R)-α-MBAdto), the donor L2 is 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato (dmit) in 1 (Pd) and 2 (Pt), 1,2-dicarbomethoxyethylenedithiolate (ddmet) in 3 (Pd) and 4 (Pt), or [4′,5′:5,6][1,4]dithiino[2,3-b]quinoxaline-1′,3′-dithiolato (quinoxdt) in 5 (Pd) and 6 (Pt). L1 is capable of undergoing proton exchange and promoting crystal formation in noncentrosymmetric space groups. L2 has different molecular structures while it maintains similar electron-donating capabilities. Thanks to the synergy of the ligands, 1-6 behave as H+ and Ag+ switchable linear chromophores. Moreover, the compounds exhibit a H+-switchable second-order NLO response in solution, which is maintained in the bulk for 1, 3, and 4 when they are embedded into a PMMA poled matrix. 5 and 6 show unique anti-Kasha H+ and Ag+ tunable colored emission originating from the quinoxdt ligand. A correlation between the electronic structure and properties is shown through density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations

The Offline Group Seat Reservation Knapsack Problem with Profit on Seats

In this paper we present the Group Seat Reservation Knapsack Problem with Profit on Seat. This is an extension of the the Offline Group Seat Reservation Knapsack Problem. In this extension we introduce a profit evaluation dependant on not only the space occupied, but also on the individual profit brought by each reserved seat. An application of the new features introduced in the proposed extension is to influence the distribution of passengers, such as assigning seats near the carriage centre for long journeys, and close to the door for short journeys. Such distribution helps to reduce the excess of dwelling time on platform. We introduce a new GRASP based algorithm that solves the original problem and the newly proposed one. In the experimental section we show that such algorithm can be useful to provide a good feasible solution very rapidly, a desirable condition in many real world systems. Another application could be to use the algorithm solution as a startup for a successive branch and bound procedure when optimality is desired. We also add a new class of problem with five test instances that represent some challenging real-world scenarios that have not been considered before. Finally, we evaluate both the existing model, the newly proposed model, and analyse the pros and cons of the proposed algorithm

From: Trash to resource: Recovered-Pd from spent three-way catalysts as a precursor of an effective photo-catalyst for H2 production

The successful production of a nanostructured and highly dispersed Pd-TiO2 photo-catalyst, using [Pd(Me2dazdt)2](I3)2 (Me2dazdt = N,N\u2032-dimethyl-perhydrodiazepine-2,3-dithione) salt, obtained through the selective and safe recovery of palladium from model exhaust three-way catalysts (TWCs), is reported here. The photo-catalyst prepared by the impregnation/photo-reduction of palladium on the support showed improved performance in H2 production from methanol and in glycerol photo-reforming compared to reference photo-catalysts obtained from conventional Pd-salts. The reported results represent a case of successful palladium \u201crecovery and re-employment\u201d and thus constitute an example of green chemistry by providing, in one route, the environmentally friendly recovery of a critical metal and its employment in the renewable energy field

Homogeneous gold catalysis using complexes recovered from waste electronic equipment

Despite the greater awareness of elemental sustainability and the benefits of the circular economy concept, much waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is still destined for landfill. Effective methods for valorizing this waste within our society are therefore imperative. In this contribution, two gold(III) complexes obtained as recovery products from WEEE and their anion metathesis products were investigated as homogenous catalysts. These four recovery products were successfully applied as catalysts for the cyclization of propargylic amides and the condensation of acetylacetone with o-iodoaniline. Impressive activity was also observed in the gold-catalyzed reaction between electron-rich arenes (2-methylfuran, 1,3-dimethoxybenzene, and azulene) and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds (methyl vinyl ketone and cyclohexenone). These recovered compounds were also shown to be effective catalysts for the oxidative cross-coupling reaction of aryl silanes and arenes. When employed as Lewis acid catalysts for carbonyl-containing substrates, the WEEE-derived gold complexes could also be recovered at the end of the reaction and reused without loss in catalytic activity, enhancing still further the sustainability of the process. This is the first direct application in homogeneous catalysis of gold recovery products sourced from e-waste