1,577 research outputs found
Convex computation of the region of attraction of polynomial control systems
We address the long-standing problem of computing the region of attraction
(ROA) of a target set (e.g., a neighborhood of an equilibrium point) of a
controlled nonlinear system with polynomial dynamics and semialgebraic state
and input constraints. We show that the ROA can be computed by solving an
infinite-dimensional convex linear programming (LP) problem over the space of
measures. In turn, this problem can be solved approximately via a classical
converging hierarchy of convex finite-dimensional linear matrix inequalities
(LMIs). Our approach is genuinely primal in the sense that convexity of the
problem of computing the ROA is an outcome of optimizing directly over system
trajectories. The dual infinite-dimensional LP on nonnegative continuous
functions (approximated by polynomial sum-of-squares) allows us to generate a
hierarchy of semialgebraic outer approximations of the ROA at the price of
solving a sequence of LMI problems with asymptotically vanishing conservatism.
This sharply contrasts with the existing literature which follows an
exclusively dual Lyapunov approach yielding either nonconvex bilinear matrix
inequalities or conservative LMI conditions. The approach is simple and readily
applicable as the outer approximations are the outcome of a single semidefinite
program with no additional data required besides the problem description
Evolving model-free scattering matrix via evolutionary algorithm: O-O elastic scattering at 350 MeV
We present a new procedure which enables to extract a scattering matrix
as a complex function of angular momentum directly from the scattering
data, without any a priori model assumptions implied. The key ingredient of the
procedure is the evolutionary algorithm with diffused mutation which evolves
the population of the scattering matrices, via their smooth deformations, from
the primary arbitrary analytical shapes to the final ones giving high
quality fits to the data. Due to the automatic monitoring of the scattering
matrix derivatives, the final shapes are monotonic and do not have any
distortions. For the O-O elastic scattering data at 350 MeV, we
show the independence of the final results of the primary shapes.
Contrary to the other approaches, our procedure provides an excellent fit by
the shapes which support the ``rainbow'' interpretation of the data
under analysis.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. C (2005
Stability and Performance Verification of Optimization-based Controllers
This paper presents a method to verify closed-loop properties of
optimization-based controllers for deterministic and stochastic constrained
polynomial discrete-time dynamical systems. The closed-loop properties amenable
to the proposed technique include global and local stability, performance with
respect to a given cost function (both in a deterministic and stochastic
setting) and the gain. The method applies to a wide range of
practical control problems: For instance, a dynamical controller (e.g., a PID)
plus input saturation, model predictive control with state estimation, inexact
model and soft constraints, or a general optimization-based controller where
the underlying problem is solved with a fixed number of iterations of a
first-order method are all amenable to the proposed approach.
The approach is based on the observation that the control input generated by
an optimization-based controller satisfies the associated Karush-Kuhn-Tucker
(KKT) conditions which, provided all data is polynomial, are a system of
polynomial equalities and inequalities. The closed-loop properties can then be
analyzed using sum-of-squares (SOS) programming
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Impact Investing and Inclusive Business Development in Africa: A research agenda
Impact investing aims to create sustainable social and environmental impacts for investee enterprises and communities as well as adequate financial returns. As an attractive emerging market investment strategy, it involves development finance institutions and philanthropic foundations partnering with mainstream private venture capital to create impact funds with the goal of catalysing inclusive market-based enterprise development in low income
countries. In this paper, we present findings from a scoping study discussing the nature and operations of impact funds in African economies and the associated research opportunities on this topic. To facilitate the assessment, we reviewed the existing literature on impact investing, considering this along three interrelated perspectives, namely 1) impact investing as development finance policy for economic development, 2) impact investing as a development in socially responsible investing, and 3) impact investing as capacity-building for inclusive business development in African economies. The interplay of these perspectives shapes the constitution and operational strategies of specific impact funds and provide a conceptual context for understanding impact investing at country level.
Drawing on interviews, email exchanges and roundtable discussions with representative global and country-specific (Sierra Leone, Cameroon and Kenya) stakeholders our analysis makes three contributions to the impact investing debate. First we explore a model for understanding the ways in which impact funds are being channeled into inclusive businesses in Africa and the associated catalytic effects on poverty alleviation, social and economic development. Second we identified and tested access to, a range of impact funds and associated sector-specific inclusive businesses for future case writing â hopefully âfailuresâ as well as âsuccessesâ. Finally, we reflect on some of the unanswered managerial and policy-related questions that require a more rigorous inquiry-led appraisal to better understand and enhance the contribution of impact funds to inclusive business development in Africa
Development, Validity and Reliability of Perceived Service Quality in Retail Banking and its Relationship With Perceived Value and Customer Satisfaction
Microfinance is often hailed both as a tool for fighting poverty and as a tool for post-conflict reconciliation. This paper explores the use of microfinance in post-civil war Bosnia and Herzegovina, assessing its results in terms of both goals. As it combined high unemployment with a highly educated population in an institutionally open context, Bosnia and Herzegovina provides a crucial test of the effect of microfinance. If unambiguous signs of success cannot be found in a case with such favorable conditions, this would raise serious questions about the potential benefits of microfinance. The paper draws together evidence from a series of independent reviews of microfinance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to assess its impact in terms of economic performance, the economic system, social welfare and post-conflict integration. Based on this case study, microfinance appears a better tool for dealing with poverty than with social integration or institution building.perceived quality, perceived value, satisfaction, retail banking services
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