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Optimization algorithms have a wide range of applications in symmetry problems, such as graphs, networks, and pattern recognition. In this paper, a dynamic periodic multi-depot multi-trip vehicle routing model for scheduling test samples is constructed, which considers the differences in testing unit price and testing capacity of various agencies and introduces a cross-depot collaborative transport method. Both the cost and the testing time are minimized by determining the optimal sampling routes and testing agencies, subjecting to the constraints of vehicle capacity, number of vehicles, and delivery time. To solve the model, a knowledge-guided multi-objective shuffled frog leaping algorithm (KMOSFLA) is proposed. KMOSFLA adopts a convertible encoding mechanism to realize the diversified search in different search spaces. Three novel strategies are designed: the population initialization with historical information reuse, the leaping rule based on the greedy crossover and genetic recombination, and the objective-driven enhanced search. Systematic experimental studies are implemented. First, feasibility analyses of the model are carried out, where effectiveness of the cross-depot collaborative transport is validated and sensitivity analyses on two parameters (vehicle capacity and proportion of the third-party testing agencies) are performed. Then, the proposed algorithm KMOSFLA is compared with five state-of-the-art algorithms. Experimental results indicate that KMOSFLA can provide a set of non-dominated schedules with lower cost and shorter testing time in each scheduling period, which provides a reference for the dispatcher to make a final decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to solve the scheduling problem of large-scale agile software project. It was decomposed into three strong-coupled subproblems; story selection, story allocation and task allocation. Dynamic events such as the addition and deletion of user stories, the change of employee's working hours in each sprint, and other constraints such as team development speed, task duration and skills were introduced. To maximize the total value of user stories completed by the project, a large-scale agile software project scheduling mathematical model was established. According to the characteristics of the problem, the Markov decision process was designed. Ten state features were used to describe the agile scheduling environment at the beginning of each sprint; 12 composite scheduling rules were designed as candidate actions of the agent; and rewards were defined according to the objective function of the scheduling model. A priority experience replay double deep Q network algorithm based on composite scheduling rules was proposed to solve the built model. The double Q network strategy and priority experience replay strategy were introduced to avoid the over-estimation problem of deep Q network and improve the utilization efficiency of trajectory information in the experience replay pool. In order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, experiments were carried out in six large-scale agile software project scheduling numerical examples, and the convergence of the proposed algorithm was analyzed. According to the performance measurement of the algorithm, it was compared with the existing representative algorithm DQN, double deep Q network and 12 single composite scheduling rules. The results showed that it had the highest average cumulative reward value in 6 different numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the high-performance requirements of power converters in industrial applications, sliding-mode control has drawn extensive research attention for its insensitivity against external disturbances. In order to ensure this advantage while suppressing the chattering problem caused by discontinuous switching functions, in this article, a fuzzy sliding-mode control (FSMC) strategy consisting of three control loops is proposed for three-phase three-level neutral-point-clamped active front-end rectifiers. In the power tracking loop, an improved super-twisting algorithm is proposed to enforce the tracking errors of active power and reactive power to bounded regions in finite time and guarantee the transient performance. Next, in the dc-link voltage regulation loop, the regulation error of dc-link voltage converges to a bounded region with a super-twisting extended state observer-based FSMC strategy. A simple but efficient proportional-integral controller is employed in dc-link voltage balancing loop to reduce the voltage difference between two dc-link capacitors. The proposed controller is characterized by attenuated chattering phenomenon and improved the dc-link voltage regulation performance, disturbance rejection ability, and power tracking performance. Experimental results are provided to verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a nonlinear high-gain observer (NHGO)-based second-order sliding mode (SOSM) control strategy is proposed for the three-phase three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converter. This controller applies the advanced SOSM algorithm both in the voltage regulation loop and in the power tracking loop, which provides a fast dynamic for the dc-link voltage, and also assures a good steady-state behavior for the NPC converter. Additionally, an NHGO technique is implemented in the voltage regulator combining with the SOSM algorithm. The conventional observer-based controllers suffer from the destructive effects of measurement noise, and it can only be addressed by diminishing the observer gain, which sacrifices the observer property. The NHGO technique adopts a time varying gain, that is, high gain in transient while low gain in steady state, which minimizes the adverse influence of measurement noise. The tuning method of the proposed NHGO-based SOSM controller is given to simplify the implementation process. Finally, the simulation and experimental results of the proposed control scheme for the NPC converter are given and compared with the conventional PI controller as well as the well-known linear extended state observer-based control method, which validates the feasibility and superiority of the proposed controller. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a two-stage control scheme consisting of an adaptive-gain second-order sliding mode (SOSM) controller and a switched high-gain observer (HGO) is proposed for the three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converter. The adaptive-gain SOSM control method is applied both in the voltage regulation loop and instantaneous power tracking loop, thus, the boundary of the disturbance derivative does not need to be known a priori. Compared with the fixed-gain SOSM, it provides a faster dynamic and a better steady-state response for the NPC converter. On the other hand, the conventional disturbance compensation observer used in the power system suffers from the adverse effects of measurement noise, which limits the performance of the observer. A switched HGO is combined with the adaptive-gain SOSM controller in the voltage regulation loop to address this issue. By using a switched observer gain, the switched HGO greatly diminishes the performance degradation induced by the inevitable measurement noise. Finally, several experiments between the representative extended state observer-based SOSM control scheme and the proposed control method are carried out for a comparison. The results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, the synthesis of high-activity and low-cost photocatalysts remains a huge challenge. 3D flower-like MoS2/g-C3N4 hybrids were synthesized by a very simple method. All of them were characterized by various characterizations to determine the composition, morphology, and properties of the compounds. There are many sites with large specific surface area catalytic activity in this structure. These composites are all photocatalytic degradable organic dyes, and the photocatalytic properties of the flower-like 4% MoS2/g-C3N4 are the best. The stability and recyclability of the 4% MoS2/g-C3N4 photocatalyst are also excellent. The 4% MoS2/g-C3N4 can also have photocatalytic ability to produce hydrogen. 50 mg of 4% MoS2/g-C3N4 photocatalyst can produce about 156 umol of hydrogen with visible light irradiation for about 4 h. Rate of hydrogen production is about 780 µmol h − 1 g − 1. In view of the good photocatalytic performance of the catalyst, we have discussed the mechanism both photocatalytic degradation of organic harmful pollutants and photocatalytic hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a linear extended state observer (LESO) based second-order sliding mode (SOSM) control strategy with the direct power control is proposed for a three-phase neutral-point-clamped (NPC) power converter connected to a dc microgrid. Comparing with the PI control method, the proposed approach implements the advanced SOSM controller into the voltage regulation loop and instantaneous power tracking loop to enhance the dynamic and steady state performance. Furthermore, saturation function is applied in the SOSM method to weaken the chattering phenomenon. On the other hand, since the dc load is regarded as an external disturbance, an efficient LESO is designed in the voltage regulation loop to reject this disturbance. The design process of the proposed control strategy is shown based on the continuous averaged model of the NPC converter. Finally, comparison experiments among PI, LESO-based PI, and proposed LESO-based SOSM control strategies are implemented, which validate the superiority of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) obtained from biomass is an important platform chemical for the next generation of plastics and biofuel production. Although industrialized, the high yield of HMF in aqueous systems was rarely achieved. The main problem is that HMF tends to form byproducts when co-adsorbed with water at acid sites. In this study, the pressure was reduced to improve the maximum yield of HMF from 9.3 to 35.2% (at 190 °C in 60 min) in a glucose aqueous solution. The mechanism here involved water boiling as caused by pressure reduction, which in turn promoted the desorption of HMF from the solid catalyst, thereby inhibiting the side reaction of HMF. Furthermore, the solid catalysts could be reused three times without a significant loss of their catalytic activity. Overall, this work provides an effective strategy to improve the yield of HMF in water over heterogeneous catalysts in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acting as an interface between the grid and many energy systems, the active front-end (AFE) has been widely used in a large variety of industrial applications. In this paper, in order to ensure the fast dynamic performance and good disturbance rejection ability of the AFE, a high-gain observer (HGO) plus adaptive super-twisting algorithm (STA) for the three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converter is proposed. Comparing with the conventional PI control strategy, the proposed controller implements the adaptive STA in the voltage regulator to provide a faster transient response. The gains of the adaptive STA keep varying according to the rules being reduced in steady state but increasing in transient conditions. Therefore, the chattering phenomenon is mitigated and the dynamic response is guaranteed. Additionally, to undermine the impact of external disturbances on the dc-link voltage, a high-efficiency HGO is designed in the voltage regulation loop to reject it. Experimental results based on a three-level NPC prototype are given and compared with the conventional PI method to validate the fast dynamic performance and high disturbance rejection ability of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caenorhabditis elegans locomotion is a stereotyped behavior that is ideal for genetic analysis. We integrated video microscopy, image analysis algorithms, and fluid mechanics principles to describe the C. elegans swim gait. Quantification of body shapes and external hydrodynamics and model-based estimates of biomechanics reveal that mutants affecting similar biological processes exhibit related patterns of biomechanical differences. Therefore, biomechanical profiling could be useful for predicting the function of previously unstudied motility genes.