Delay-dependent Criteria for Robust Stability of Uncertain Switched Hopfield Neural Networks

This paper deals with the problem of delay-dependent robust stability for a class of switched Hopfield neural networks with time-varying structured uncertainties and time-varying delay. Some Lyapunov-KrasoVskii functionals are constructed and the linear matrix inequality （LMI） approach and free weighting matrix method are employed to devise some delay-dependent stability criteria which guarantee the existence, uniqueness and global exponential stability of the equilibrium point for all admissible parametric uncertainties. By using Leibniz-Newton formula, free weighting matrices are employed to express this relationship, which implies that the new criteria are less conservative than existing ones. Some examples suggest that the proposed criteria are effective and are an improvement over previous ones.

Delay-dependent criteria for the robust stability of systems with time-varying delay

The problem of delay-dependent robust stability for systems with time-varying delay has been considered. By using the S-procedure and the Park's inequality in the recent issue, a delay-dependent robust stability criterion which is less conservative than the previous results has been derived for time-delay systems with time-varying structured uncertainties. The same idea has also been easily extended to the systems with nonlinear perturbations. Numerical examples illustrated the effectiveness and the improvement of the proposed approach. Keywords Delay-dependent criteria - Robust stability - Time-varying structured uncertainties - Nonlinear perturbations - Linear matrix inequality This work was supported by the Doctor Subject Foundation of China (No. 2000053303).

Delay-dependent exponential stability criteria for stochastic systems with polytopic-type uncertainties

This paper considers the problem of delay-dependent exponential stability in mean square for stochastic systems with polytopic-type uncertainties and time-varying delay. Applying the descriptor model transformation and introducing free weighting matrices, a new type of Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is constructed based on linear matrix inequalities （LMIs）, and some new delay-dependent criteria are obtained. These criteria include the delay-independent/rate- dependent and delay-dependent/rate-independent exponential stability criteria. These new criteria are less conservative than existing ones. Numerical examples demonstrate that these new criteria are effective and are an improvement over existing ones.

Improved delay-dependent stability criteria for systems with interval delay

This paper deals with the problem of stability for systems with delay varying in an interval.A new Lyapunov functional,which makes use of the information of both the lower and upper bounds of the interval time-varying delay,is proposed to derive some new stability criteria.Furthermore,the relationship of the time-varying delay and its lower bound and upper bound is taken into account.As a result,some less conservative delay-dependent stability criteria are obtained without ignoring any useful information in the derivative of Lyapunov functional,which are established in the forms of linear matrix inequalities.Numerical examples are provided to show that the obtained results are better than existing ones.

Delay-dependent stability and stabilization criteria of networked control systems with multiple time-delays

This paper deals with the problem of delay-dependent stability and stabilization for networked control systems（NCSs）with multiple time-delays. In view of multi-input and multi-output（MIMO） NCSs with many independent sensors and actuators, a continuous time model with distributed time-delays is proposed. Utilizing the Lyapunov stability theory combined with linear matrix inequalities（LMIs） techniques, some new delay-dependent stability criteria for NCSs in terms of generalized Lyapunov matrix equation and LMIs are derived. Stabilizing controller via state feedback is formulated by solving a set of LMIs. Compared with the reported methods, the proposed methods give a less conservative delay bound and more general results. Numerical example and simulation show that the methods are less conservative and more effective.

Multi-Model Approach for Assessing the Influence of Calibration Criteria on the Water Balance in Ouémé Basin

Hydrological models are very useful tools for evaluating water resources, and the hydroclimatic hazards associated with the water cycle. However, their calibration and validation require the use of performance criteria which choice is not straightforward. This paper aims to evaluate the influence of the performance criteria on water balance components and water extremes using two global rainfall-runoff models (HBV and GR4J) over the Ouémé watershed at the Bonou and Savè outlets. Three (3) Efficacy criteria (Nash, coefficient of determination, and KGE) were considered for calibration and validation. The results show that the Nash criterion provides a good assessment of the simulation of the different parts of the hydrograph. KGE is better for simulating peak flows and water balance elements than other efficiency criteria. This study could serve as a basis for the choice of performance criteria in hydrological modelling.

Unequal Distribution of Innovation Efforts for Neglected Tropical Diseases: The Role of Funding Evaluation Criteria

Background: International research and innovation efforts for neglected tropical diseases have increased in recent decades due to disparities in overall health research funding in relation to global burden of disease. However, within the field of neglected tropical diseases some seem far more neglected than others. In this research the aim is to investigate the distribution of resources and efforts, as well as the mechanisms that underpin funding allocation for neglected tropical diseases. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted to establish a comprehensive overview of known indicators for innovation efforts related to a wide range of neglected tropical diseases. Articles were selected based on a subjective evaluation of their relevance, the presence of original data, and the breadth of their scope. This was followed by thirteen in-depth open-ended interviews with representatives of private, public and philanthropic funding organizations, concerning evaluation criteria for funding research proposals. Results: The findings reveal a large difference in the extent to which the individual diseases are neglected with notable differences between absolute and relative efforts. Criteria used in the evaluation of research proposals relate to potential impact, the probability of success and strategic fit. Private organizations prioritize strategic fit and economic impact;philanthropic organizations prioritize short-term societal impact;and public generally prioritize the probability of success by accounting for follow-up funding and involvement of industry. Funding decisions of different types of organizations are highly interrelated. Conclusions: This study shows that the evaluation of funding proposals introduces and retains unequal funding distribution, reinforcing the relative neglect of diseases. Societal impact is the primary rationale for funding but application of it as a funding criterion is associated with significant challenges. Furthermore, current application of evaluation criteria leads to a primary focus on short-term impact. Through current practice, the relatively most neglected diseases will remain so, and a long-term strategy is needed to resolve this.

Local Criteria Used by Farmers to Evaluate the Agronomic Performance and the Fertilizing Capacity of Cowpea Varieties: Diversity, Variability and Proximal Relation with Agronomic Measurements in Contrasted Sahelian Locations

When contributing to participatory research, farmers usually appreciate the performance of cowpea varieties using qualitative scores. The score they attribute to each variety are based on local knowledge. The specific criteria they individually use to attribute a score are not well described. The objectives of this work were to: 1) identify and describe exhaustively the local criteria used by farmers to measure the agronomic performance of cowpea;2) assess the variability and statistical structure of these farmer criteria across local contexts;3) and analyze the association between these farmer criteria and the classical agronomic measurement. To achieve these objectives, an augmented block design was implemented across fifteen locations in the regions of Maradi, Dosso and Tillabéri, representing a diversity of local contexts. From a set of 36 cowpea varieties, fifteen varieties were sown per location, including five varieties (controls) common to all locations. In each location, two replicates were sown in randomized Fisher’s blocks. After agronomic measurement and participatory evaluation (scoring of varieties by farmers), a group survey (focus group) was conducted in each location to identify the criteria considered by farmers to found their discretional scoring of varieties during the participatory evaluation. The analysis of the data identified, across locations, thirteen criteria defined by farmers to characterize the agronomic performance of cowpea. Some of these criteria were different according to location. Farmers ranked the three varieties with the best performance for each agronomical trait (Top 3 varieties). A comparison of the farmer ranking with the ranking based on agronomic measurements revealed similarity and complementary between both methods. This study highlighted the importance of considering both local and scientific knowledge in local varietal evaluations.

Delay-dependent Stability Criteria for a Class of Uncertain Neutral Systems

在这份报纸，为经常的时间延期的一个班的延期依赖者稳定性标准的问题有变化时间的结构化的无常的中立系统被调查。新 asymptotic 稳定性标准在线性矩阵不平等形式被导出。二个数字例子被给显示在这份报纸介绍的结果比一些存在结果有效、不太保守。

Relaxed delay-dependent stabilization criteria for discrete-time fuzzy systems based on a switching fuzzy model and piecewise Lyapunov functions

This paper presents delay-dependent stability analysis and controller synthesis methods for discrete-time Takagi-Sugeno （T-S） fuzzy systems with time delays. The T-S fuzzy system is transformed to an equivalent switching fuzzy system. Consequently, the delay-dependent stabilization criteria are derived for the switching fuzzy system based on the piecewise Lyapunov function. The proposed conditions are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities （LMIs）. The interactions among the fuzzy subsystems are considered in each subregion, and accordingly the proposed conditions are less conservative than the previous results. Since only a set of LMIs is involved, the controller design is quite simple and numerically tractable. Finally, a design example is given to show the validity of the proposed method.

Novel delay-dependent stability criteria for neural networks with interval time-varying delay

The problem of delay-dependent asymptotic stability for neurM networks with interval time-varying delay is investigated. Based on the idea of delay decomposition method, a new type of Lyapunov Krasovskii functional is constructed. Several novel delay-dependent stability criteria are presented in terms of linear matrix inequality by using the Jensen integral inequality and a new convex combination technique. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate that the proposed method is effective and less conservative.

GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Techniques to Derive Flood Risks Management on Rice Productivity in Gishari Marshland

Floods are phenomenon with significant socio-economic implications mainly for human loss, agriculture, livestock, soil loss and land degradation, for which many researchers try to identify the most appropriate methodologies by analyzing their temporal and spatial development. This study therefore attempts to employ the GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis and analytical hierarchy process techniques to derive the flood risks management on rice productivity in the Gishari Agricultural Marshland in Rwamagana district, Rwanda. Here, six influencing potential factors to flooding, including river slope, soil texture, Land Use Land Cover through Land Sat 8, rainfall, river distance and Digital Elevation Model are considered for the delineation of flood risk zones. Data acquisition like Landsat 8 images, DEM, land use land cover, slope, and soil class in the study area were considered. Results showed that if the DEM is outdated or inaccurate due to changes in the terrain, such as construction, excavation, or erosion, the predicted flood patterns might not reflect the actual water flow. This could result unexpected flood extents and depths, potentially inundating rice fields that were not previously at risk and this, expectedly explained that the increase 1 m in elevation would reduce the rice productivity by 0.17% due to unplanned flood risks in marshland. It was found that the change in rainfall distribution in Gishari agricultural marshland would also decrease the rice productivity by 0.0018%, which is a sign that rainfall is a major factor of flooding in rice scheme. Rainfall distribution plays a crucial role in flooding analysis and can directly impact rice productivity. Oppositely, another causal factor was Land Use Land Cover (LULC), where the Multivariate Logistic Regression Model Analysis findings showed that the increase of one unit in Land Use Land Cover would increase rice productivity by 0.17% of the total rice productivity from the Gishari Agricultural Marshland. Based on findings from these techniques, the Gishari Agricultural Marshlands having steeped land with grassland is classified into five classes of flooding namely very low, low, moderate, high, and very high which include 430%, 361%, 292%, 223%, and 154%. Government of Rwanda and other implementing agencies and major key actors have to contribute on soil and water conservation strategies to reduce the runoff and soil erosion as major contributors of flooding.

Contribution of GIS to Soil Landscape Mapping by Multi-Criteria Analysis Using Weighting: The Case of the Square Degrees of M’Bahiakro (Centre) and Daloa (Centre-West) in Ivory Coast

As part of the drive to improve coffee and cocoa production in Ivory Coast, studies are carried out to identify soils that are favourable for these crops. It is therefore necessary to orientate soil investigations based on reliable criteria that best discriminate soil cover. With this in mind, this study is being carried out to help improve survey methods by mapping soil landscapes. It uses GIS and weighted multicriteria analysis. To do this, satellite images were processed and the geological map of the square degrees of M’Bahiakro and Daloa was reclassified. The results show that relief is the main factor in soil landscape differentiation, with respective weights of 0.58 and 0.67 for the forest and pre-forest zones. In contrast, the weight of geological formation in soil landscape differentiation remains low (0.05 for the forest zone and 0.07 for the pre-forest zone). The criteria used on the base of aggregation sum methods have made it possible to formulate soil landscape mapping prediction functions according to agro-ecological environments in the humid intertropical zone. This is essential for the orientation of soil survey work. Nevertheless, other comparative methods, such as the coding mapping method, could provide elements for discussion to validate the models.

Multi-Criteria Wildfire Risk Hazard Assessment in GIS Environment: Projection for the Future and Impact on RES Projects Installation Planning

It is alarming for the fact that Wildfires number, severity and consequently impact have significantly increased during the last years, an aftermath of the Climate Change. One of the most affected areas worldwide is Mediterranean, due to the unique combination of its type of vegetation and demanding climatic conditions. This research is focused on the Region of Epirus in Greece, an area with significant natural vegetation and a range of geomorphological aspects. In order to estimate the Wildfire Risk Hazard, several factors have been used: geomorphological (slope, aspect, elevation, TWI, Hydrographic network), social (Settlements and landfils, roads, overhead lines and substations), environmental (land cover) and climatic (Fire Weather Index). Through a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in a GIS environment, the Wildfire Risk Hazard has been estimated not only for current conditions but also for future projections for the near future (2031-2060) and the far future (2071-2100). The selected case study includes the potential impact of the Wildfires to the installed (or targeted to be installed) RES projects in the studied region.

On delay-dependent robust stability for uncertain neutral systems

The problem of delay-dependent criteria for the robust stability of neutral systems with time-varying structured uncertainties and identi-cal neutral-delay and discrete-delay is concerned. A criterion for nominal systems is presented by taking the relationship between the terms in the Leibniz-Newton formula into account, which is described by some free-weighting matrices. In addition, this criterion is extended to robust stability of the systems with time-varying structured uncertainties. All of the criteria are based on linear matrix inequality such that it is easy to calculate the upper bound of the time-delay and the free-weighting matrices. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness and the improvement over the existing results.

On delay-dependent robust stability of neutral systems

The delay-dependent robust stability of uncertain linear neutral systems with delays is investigated. Both discrete-delay-dependent/neutral-delay-independent and neutral-/discrete- delay-dependent stability criteria will be developed. The proposed stability criteria are formulated in the form of linear matrix inequalities and it is easy to check the robust stability of the considered systems. By introducing certain Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional the mathematical development of our result avoids model transformation and bounding for cross terms, which lead to conservatism. Finally, numerical example is given to indicate the improvement over some existing results.

A delay-dependent passivity criterion of linear neutral delay systems

The problem of delay-dependent stability and passivity for linear neutral systems is discussed. By constructing a novel type Lyapunov-krasovskii functional, a new delay-dependent passivity criterion is presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities （LMIs）. Model transformation, bounding for cross terms and selecting free weighting matrices [12-14] are not required in the arguments. Numerical examples show that the proposed criteria are available and less conservative than existing results .

Integral-inequality approach to delay-dependent robust H-infinity control for uncertain neutral systems

This paper focuses on the design problem of a memoryless state feedback robust H-infinity controller for a class of uncertain neutral systems. By using a newly established integral inequality, a new delay-dependent bounded real lemma for such systems is derived without involving a fixed model transformation. Furthermore, new delay-dependent sufficient conditions for the existence of robust H-infinity controllers are presented in terms of nonlinear matrix inequalities. A design procedure involving an iterative algorithm is also proposed to design such controllers. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the less conservatism of the proposed method.

Delay-dependent robust stability for neutral systems with mixed discrete-and-neutral delays

This paper focuses on the problem of delay-dependent robust stability of neutral systems with different discrete-and-neutral delays and time-varying structured uncertainties. Some new criteria are presented, in which some free weighting matrices are used to express the relationships between the terms in the Leibniz-Newton formula. The criteria include the information on the size of both neutral-and-discrete delays. It is shown that the present results also include the results for identical discrete-and-neutral delays as special cases. A numerical example illustrates the improvement of the proposed methods over the previous methods and the influences between the discrete and neutral delays.

Delay-dependent stability and added damping of SDOF real-time dynamic hybrid testing

It is well-recognized that a transfer system response delay that reduces the test stability inevitably exists in real-time dynamic hybrid testing （RTDHT）. This paper focuses on the delay-dependent stability and added damping of SDOF systems in RTDHT. The exponential delay term is transferred into a rational fraction by the Pad6 approximation, and the delay-dependent stability conditions and instability mechanism of SDOF RTDHT systems are investigated by the root locus technique. First, the stability conditions are discussed separately for the cases of stiffness, mass, and damping experimental substructure. The use of root locus plots shows that the added damping effect and instability mechanism for mass are different from those for stiffness. For the stiffness experimental substructure case, the instability results from the inherent mode because of an obvious negative damping effect of the delay. For the mass case, the delay introduces an equivalent positive damping into the inherent mode, and instability occurs at an added high frequency mode. Then, the compound stability condition is investigated for a general case and the results show that the mass ratio may have both upper and lower limits to remain stable. Finally, a high-emulational virtual shaking table model is built to validate the stability conclusions.