1,721,183 research outputs found
Distributed abstract optimization via constraints consensus: theory and applications
No full textDistributed abstract programs are a novel class of distributed optimization problems where (i) the number of variables is much smaller than the number of constraints and (ii) each constraint is associated to a network node. Abstract optimization programs are a generalization of linear programs that captures numerous geometric optimization problems. We propose novel constraints consensus algorithms for distributed abstract programs with guaranteed finite-time convergence to a global optimum. The algorithms rely upon solving local abstract programs and exchanging the solutions among neighboring processors. The proposed algorithms are appropriate for networks with weak time-dependent connectivity requirements and tight memory constraints. We show how the constraints consensus algorithms may be applied to suitable target localization and formation control problems
A distributed simplex algorithm for degenerate linear programs and multi-agent assignments
No full textIn this paper we propose a novel distributed algorithm to solve degenerate linear programs on asynchronous peer-to-peer networks with distributed information structures. We propose a distributed version of the well-known simplex algorithm for general degenerate linear programs. A network of agents, running our algorithm, will agree on a common optimal solution, even if the optimal solution is not unique, or will determine infeasibility or unboundedness of the problem. We establish how the multi-agent assignment problem can be efficiently solved by means of our distributed simplex algorithm. We provide simulations supporting the conjecture that the completion time scales linearly with the diameter of the communication graph
Controllability Metrics, Limitations and Algorithms for Complex Networks
No full textAbstract — This paper studies the problem of controlling stable and symmetric complex networks, that is, the joint problem of selecting a set of control nodes and of designing a control input to drive a network to a target state. We adopt the smallest eigenvalue of the controllability Gramian as metric for the controllability degree of a network, as it identifies the energy needed to accomplish the control task. In the first part of the paper we characterize tradeoffs between the control energy and the number of control nodes, based on the network topology and weights. Our bounds show for instance that, if the number of control nodes is constant, then the control energy increases exponentially with the number of network nodes. Consequently, despite the classic controllability notion, few nodes cannot in practice arbitrarily symmetric control complex networks. In the second part of the paper we propose a distributed open-loop strategy with performance guarantees for the control of complex networks. In our strategy we select control nodes based on network partitioning, and we design the control input based on optimal and distributed control techniques. For our control strategy we show that the control energy depends on the controllability properties of the clusters and on their coupling strength, and it is independent of the network dimension. I
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Identifying cyber attacks via local model information
Full text linkThis work considers the problem of detecting corrupted components in a large scale decentralized system via local model information. The electric power system, the transportation system, and generally any computer or network system are examples of large scale systems for which external (cyber) attacks have become an important threat. We consider the case of linear networks, and we model a cyber attack as an exogenous input that compromises the behavior of a set of components. We exploit two distributed methods that rely on two different sets of assumptions to achieve detection and identification. The first method takes advantage of the presence in the network of weakly interconnected subparts, it requires limited knowledge of the network model, and it affords local detection and identification of misbehaving components whose behavior deviates more than a threshold. The second method relies on the presence of a set of trustworthy leaders with better computation and communication capabilities. Only relying on a partial knowledge of the network model, the leaders cooperatively detect and identify misbehaving components
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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