Priority-based intersection management with kinodynamic constraints

We consider the problem of coordinating a collection of robots at an intersection area taking into account dynamical constraints due to actuator limitations. We adopt the coordination space approach, which is standard in multiple robot motion planning. Assuming the priorities between robots are assigned in advance and the existence of a collision-free trajectory respecting those priorities, we propose a provably safe trajectory planner satisfying kinodynamic constraints. The algorithm is shown to run in real time and to return safe (collision-free) trajectories. Simulation results on synthetic data illustrate the benefits of the approach.Comment: to be presented at ECC2014; 6 page

On the Robustness of the h-index: a mathematical approach

The h-index is an index recently proposed by Hirsch (2005) to measure scientific achievement by individual scholars. It is a compound measure of publications and citations. We show the robustness of this index. This means that h-index increases with both the number of publications and the number of citations only when these numbers are significant.

Back-pressure traffic signal control with unknown routing rates

The control of a network of signalized intersections is considered. Previous works proposed a feedback control belonging to the family of the so-called back-pressure controls that ensures provably maximum stability given pre-specified routing probabilities. However, this optimal back-pressure controller (BP*) requires routing rates and a measure of the number of vehicles queuing at a node for each possible routing decision. It is an idealistic assumption for our application since vehicles (going straight, turning left/right) are all gathered in the same lane apart from the proximity of the intersection and cameras can only give estimations of the aggregated queue length. In this paper, we present a back-pressure traffic signal controller (BP) that does not require routing rates, it requires only aggregated queue lengths estimation (without direction information) and loop detectors at the stop line for each possible direction. A theoretical result on the Lyapunov drift in heavy load conditions under BP control is provided and tends to indicate that BP should have good stability properties. Simulations confirm this and show that BP stabilizes the queuing network in a significant part of the capacity region.Comment: accepted for presentation at IFAC 2014, 6 pages. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1309.648

Multiplexed holographic transmission gratings recorded in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals: static and dynamic studies

The optimization of the experimental parameters of two multiplexed holographic transmission gratings recorded in holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals is investigated. Two methods are used to record the holograms: simultaneous and sequential multiplexing. These two processes are optimized to produce two multiplexed Bragg gratings that have the same and the highest possible diffraction efficiencies in the first order. The two methods show similar results when suitable recording parameters are used. The parameters of the recorded gratings (mainly the refractive-index modulation) are retrieved by use of an extension of the rigorous coupled-wave theory to multiplexed gratings. Finally, the response of the holograms to an electric field is studied. We demonstrate few coupling effects between the behavior of both gratings, and we expect a possibility of switching from one grating to the other

Higgs couplings: disentangling New Physics with off-shell measurements

After the discovery of a scalar resonance, resembling the Higgs boson, its couplings have been extensively studied via the measurement of various production and decay channels on the invariant mass peak. Recently, it has been suggested the possibility to use off-shell measurements: in particular, CMS has published results based on the high- invariant mass cross section of the process $gg \to ZZ$, which contains the contribution of the Higgs. While this measurement has been interpreted as a constraint on the Higgs width after very specific assumptions are taken on the Higgs couplings, in this letter we show that a much more model-independent interpretation is possible.Comment: 6pp, 1 figur

Higgs couplings beyond the Standard Model

We consider the Higgs boson decay processes and its production, and provide a parameterisation tailored for testing models of new physics beyond the Standard Model. We also compare our formalism to other existing parameterisations based on scaling factors in front of the couplings and to effective Lagrangian approaches. Different formalisms allow to best address different aspects of the Higgs boson physics. The choice of a particular parameterisation depends on a non-obvious balance of quantity and quality of the available experimental data, envisaged purpose for the parameterisation and degree of model independence, importance of the radiative corrections, scale at which new particles appear explicitly in the physical spectrum. At present only simple parameterisations with a limited number of fit parameters can be performed, but this situation will improve with the forthcoming experimental LHC data. Detailed fits can only be performed by the experimental collaborations at present, as the full information on the different decay modes is not completely available in the public domain. It is therefore important that different approaches are considered and that the most detailed information is made available to allow testing the different aspects of the Higgs boson physics and the possible hints beyond the Standard Model.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures, 5 tables. This version is an update including the most recent Higgs data and new fits to two extra model

Labor market dynamics when effort depends on wage growth comparisons

We present an efficiency wage model in which workers'' effort depends on the level and on the growth rate of their wage relative to an alternative wage. Using data for four countries (US, UK, FR, GY), the implications of the model are examined and are found to be in accordance with the information in the non-stationary data. The restrictions implied by the model dynamics are not rejected by the data. Moreover the structural parameters are found to be constant through time, indicating that, although very simple, the model is likely to be robust to the Lucas critique. One interesting result is that the workers'' effort depends less on relative wages growth and more on relative wage levels in the US than in the three European countries analyzed.mathematical economics and econometrics ;