Non-Fragile Guaranteed Cost Control of Nonlinear Systems with Different State and Input Delays Based on T-S Fuzzy Local Bilinear Models

This paper focuses on the non-fragile guaranteed cost control problem for a class of Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy time-varying delay systems with local bilinear models and different state and input delays. A non-fragile guaranteed cost state-feedback controller is designed such that the closed-loop T-S fuzzy local bilinear control system is delay-dependent asymptotically stable, and the closed-loop fuzzy system performance is constrained to a certain upper bound when the additive controller gain perturbations exist. By employing the linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, sufficient conditions are established for the existence of desired non-fragile guaranteed cost controllers. The simulation examples show that the proposed approach is effective and feasible

Finite-time stability and stabilization of nonlinear stochastic hybrid systems

AbstractThis paper deals with the problem of finite-time stability and stabilization of nonlinear Markovian switching stochastic systems which exist impulses at the switching instants. Using multiple Lyapunov function theory, a sufficient condition is established for finite-time stability of the underlying systems. Furthermore, based on the state partition of continuous parts of systems, a feedback controller is designed such that the corresponding impulsive stochastic closed-loop systems are finite-time stochastically stable. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method

Robust piecewise adaptive control for an uncertain semilinear parabolic distributed parameter systems

In this study, we focus on designing a robust piecewise adaptive controller to globally asymptotically stabilize a semilinear parabolic distributed parameter systems (DPSs) with external disturbance, whose nonlinearities are bounded by unknown functions. Firstly, a robust piecewise adaptive control is designed against the unknown nonlinearity and the external disturbance. Then, by constructing an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional candidate (LKFC) and using the Wiritinger’s inequality and a variant of the Agmon’s inequality, it is shown that the proposed robust piecewise adaptive controller not only ensures the globally asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system, but also guarantees a given performance. Finally, two simulation examples are given to verify the validity of the design method

Adaptive Synchronization of Nonlinearly Parameterized Complex Dynamical Networks with Unknown Time-Varying Parameters

A new adaptive learning control approach is proposed for a class of nonlinearly parameterized complex dynamical networks with unknown time-varying parameters. By using the parameter separation and reparameterization technique, the adaptive learning laws of periodically time-varying and constant parameters and an adaptive control strategy are designed to ensure the asymptotic convergence of the synchronization error in the sense of square error norm. Then, a sufficient condition of the synchronization is given by constructing a composite energy function. Finally, an example of the complex network is used to verify the effectiveness of proposed approach

Das Peer-Review-Verfahren als ein interkulturell einsetzbares Qualitätserhebungsmodell für Schulentwicklung? Eine Pilotstudie in berufsbildenden Schulen Chinas

In diesem Beitrag lenkt die Autorin das Interesse sowohl auf ein ganz anderes Land als auch auf einen ganz besonderen Aspekt in der Auseinandersetzung mit Verfahren der Internationalen Vergleichenden Erziehungswissenschaft. Sie stellt die Frage, ob die Methode des Peer-Review-Verfahrens aufgrund seiner Entstehungsgeschichte in seiner Anlage kulturell so stark (West-Europäisch) geprägt ist, dass es in anderen kulturellen Kontexten als Qualitätserhebungsmodell möglicherweise nicht eingesetzt werden kann. Die Autorin bietet in ihrem Beitrag dabei einen Einblick in die relevanten Aspekte des kulturellen Hintergrunds berufsbildender Schulen in China, die die Beantwortung der Frage nachvollziehbar macht. (DIPF/Orig.)This survey investigated the extent to which a concept such as the German evaluation concept of peer review might be capable to be implemented to another cultural context. The study surveyed the factors both supporting and inhibiting to implement peer review into another cultural context using the example of China. The research design is based on the lesson-drawing approach. Peer review is a model for evaluating quality assurance in schools and it works in a participative manner within a flat organisational hierarchy. The transfer of peer review to Chinese schools requires an open approach, using a flexible pilot. This study used an interpretation framework based on a Chinese cultural model. The paper argues that the peer review concept could be implemented to the Chinese context, but the concept clearly needs to be adapted to the Chinese context. The supporting and inhibiting factors derived from this study enable us to draw lessons about how to support and adapt policies to different cultural contexts. (DIPF/Orig.

The role of vocational education and training in the integration of refugees in Austria, Denmark and Germany

Context: Vocational education and training (VET) plays a crucial role in the social inclusion of refugees. The aim of this paper is to examine how the VET systems of Austria, Denmark and Germany responded to the arrival of young refugees since 2015. VET in these countries are all categorised as systems of collective skill formation, which offer apprenticeships in addition to school-based training. The article examines and juxtaposes the legal rights, the actual opportunities and the barriers to refugees’ participation in and completion of VET at upper secondary level in the three selected countries. Methods: The study is based on reviews of literature and an analysis of refugee policies in the three countries. The literature search used a snowballing strategy and included policy documents, research publications and grey literature from organisations of civil society. The literature review employed a narrative, issue-focused approach to explore and compare key categories relating to the research question. To elaborate, refine and structure the categories for each of the three countries we used an input-process-output model (Adams, 1993) and a combination of deductive and inductive analysis procedure. Findings: The findings of the study are divided into six categories that structure the analysis: admission requirements, validation of prior learning, vocational guidance, language training, social support measures and access to apprenticeships. The analysis finds that both asylum seekers and recognised refugees have more opportunities in Germany than in the other two countries regarding the key categories. The findings show no major differences in the position of the social partners in the three countries in relation to refugees’ participation in VET, however the national governments reacted differently to the influx of refugees. In Austria and Denmark, new governments with strong anti-immigration agendas took office and reduced the access to and participation in VET for asylum seekers and refugees. At the same time, the German government introduced various integration measures for refugees in cooperation with employers with the aim of making VET more accessible to refugees. Conclusion: To access and complete VET, refugees depend on supporting measures to overcome a variety of barriers, e.g. regarding language training and access to apprenticeships. Overall, reforms in Germany demonstrate promising initiatives to overcome the barriers to the integration of refugees in VET, while reforms in Austria and Denmark have limited refugees’ opportunities to access and complete VET. (DIPF/Orig.

Improving Consolidated Financial Statement Working Papers and Normalizing Preparation Process

Preparation for the consolidated financial statements plays an important role in business merger. This paper analyzes the preparation process and formats of consolidated financial statements working papers in China Certified Public Accountant (CPA) materials in recent years. Based on our studies, we propose improved formats of consolidated financial statement working papers and normalized preparation process. Key words: Consolidated financial statement, Working papers, Optimization statemen