Second-Order Training of Adaptive Critics for Online Process Control

A new algorithm for training of nonlinear optimal neuro-controllers (in the form of the model-free, action-dependent, adaptive critic paradigm). Overcomes problems with existing stochastic backpropagation training: need for data storage, parameter shadowing and poor convergence, offering significant benefits for online applications.

Second-order distorted wave calculation for electron impact ionization of hydrogen

The triple differential cross sections for ionization of atomic hydrogen by electron impact are analysed in the case of coplanar, asymmetric geometry within the framework of second- order distorted wave theory. Detailed calculations are performed without making any approximations (other than numerical) in the evaluation of the second-order amplitude. The present results are compared with experimental measurements and other theoretical calculations for incident energies of 250, 150 and 54.4 eV. It is found that the second-order calculations represent a marked improvement over the results obtained from first-order theories for impact energies of 150 eV and higher. The close agreement between the present second-order plane wave calculation and those of Byron et al calculated using the closure approximation at an incident energy of 250 eV implies that the closure approximation is valid for this energy. The large difference between the present second-order distorted wave calculations and experiment at an incident energy of 54.4 eV suggests that higher order effects are important for incident energies less than 100 eV.

Hybridization of a class of "second order" models of traffic flow

Despite the simultaneous progress of traffic modelling both on the macroscopic and microscopic front, recent works [E. Bourrel, J.B. Lessort, Mixing micro and macro representation of traffic flow: a hybrid model based on the LWR theory, Transport. Res. Rec. 1852 (2003) 193–200; D. Helbing, M. Treiber, Critical discussion of “synchronized flow”, Coop. Transport. Dyn. 1 (2002) 2.1–2.24; A. Hennecke, M. Treiber, D. Helbing, Macroscopic simulations of open systems and micro–macro link, in: D. Helbing, H.J. Herrmann, M. Schreckenberg, D.E. Wolf (Eds.), Traffic and Granular Flow ’99, Springer, Berlin, 2000, pp. 383–388] highlighted that one of the most promising way to simulate efficiently traffic flow on large road networks is a clever combination of both traffic representations: the hybrid modelling. Our focus in this paper is to propose two hybrid models for which the macroscopic (resp. mesoscopic) part is based on a class of second order model [A. Aw, M. Rascle, Resurection of second order models of traffic flow?, SIAM J. Appl. Math. 60 (2000) 916–938] whereas the microscopic part is a Follow-the Leader type model [D.C. Gazis, R. Herman, R.W. Rothery, Nonlinear follow-the-leader models of traffic flow, Oper. Res. 9 (1961) 545–567; R. Herman, I. Prigogine, Kinetic Theory of Vehicular Traffic, American Elsevier, New York, 1971]. For the first hybrid model, we define precisely the translation of boundary conditions at interfaces and for the second one we explain the synchronization processes. Furthermore, through some numerical simulations we show that the waves propagation is not disturbed and the mass is accurately conserved when passing from one traffic representation to another.

Second-order NMR spectra at high field of common organic functional groups

The proton NMR spectra of aryl n-propyl sulfides gave rise to what may appear to be first-order proton NMR spectra. Upon oxidation to the corresponding sulfone, the spectra changed appearance dramatically and were clearly second-order. A detailed analysis of these second-order spectra, in the sulfone series, provided vicinal coupling constants which indicated that these compounds had a moderate preference for the anti-conformer, reflecting the much greater size of the sulfone over the sulfide. It also emerged, from this study, that the criterion for observing large second-order effects in the proton NMR spectra of 1,2-disubstituted ethanes was that the difference in vicinal coupling constants must be large and the difference in geminal coupling constants must be small. n-Propyl triphenylphosphonium bromide and 2-trimethylsilylethanesulfonyl chloride, and derivatives thereof, also exhibited second-order spectra, again due to the bulky substituents. Since these spectra are second-order due to magnetic nonequivalence of the nuclei in question, not chemical shifts, the proton spectra are perpetually second-order and can never be rendered first-order by using higher field NMR spectrometers.

Enhancement Factor for Gas Absorption in a Finite Liquid Layer. Part 2: First- and Second-Order Reactions in a Liquid in Plug Flow

Gas absorption accompanied by an irreversible chemical reaction of first-order or second-order in a liquid layer of finite thickness in plug flow has been investigated. The analytical solution to the enhancement factor has been derived for the case of a first-order reaction, and the exact solution to the enhancement factor has been obtained via numerical simulation for the case of a second-order reaction. The enhancement factor in both cases is presented as a function of the Fourier number and tends to deviate from the prediction of the existing enhancement factor expressions based on the penetration theory at Fourier numbers above 0.1 due to the absence of a well-mixed bulk region in the liquid layer. Approximate enhancement factor expressions that describe the analytical and exact solutions with an accuracy of 5?% and 9?%, respectively, have been proposed.

Modelling road traffic accidents using macroscopic second-order models of traffic flow

In this paper, we introduce a macroscopic model for road traffic accidents along highway sections. We discuss the motivation and the derivation of such a model, and we present its mathematical properties. The results are presented by means of examples where a section of a crowded one-way highway contains in the middle a cluster of drivers whose dynamics are prone to road traffic accidents. We discuss the coupling conditions and present some existence results of weak solutions to the associated Riemann Problems. Furthermore, we illustrate some features of the proposed model through some numerical simulations. © The authors 2012.

Quantum and classical properties of the fields generated by two interlinked second-order non-linear interactions

We consider two interlinked non-linear interactions occurring simultaneously in a single chi((2)) crystal. Classical and quantum working regimes are considered and their peculiar properties analysed. In particular, we describe an experiment, realized in the classical regime, that verifies the holographic nature of the process, and predict, for the quantum regime, the generation of a fully inseparable tripartite Gaussian state of light that can be used to support a general 1--> 2 continuous variable telecloning protocol.