Overview on the Pointwise Constrained Liapunov Vectorial Convexity Theorem

In applications of the Calculus of Variations, Optimal Control and Differential Inclusions, very important real-life problems are nonconvex vectorial and subject to pointwise constraints. The classical Liapunov convexity theorem is a crucial tool allowing researchers to solve nonconvex vectorial problems involving single integrals. However, the possibility of extending such theorem so as to deal with pointwise constraints has remained an open problem for two decades, in the more realistic case using variable vectorial velocities. We have recently solved it, in the sense of proving necessary conditions and sufficient conditions for solvability of such problem. A quick overview of our results is presented here, the main point being that, somehow, convex constrained nonuniqueness a.e. implies nonconvex constrained existence.

An Optimal Control Framework for Resources Management in Agriculture

An optimal control framework to support the management and control of resources in a wide range of problems arising in agriculture is discussed. Lessons extracted from past research on the weed control problem and a survey of a vast body of pertinent literature led to the specification of key requirements to be met by a suitable optimization framework. The proposed layered control structure—including planning, coordination, and execution layers—relies on a set of nested optimization processes of which an “infinite horizon” Model Predictive Control scheme plays a key role in planning and coordination. Some challenges and recent results on the Pontryagin Maximum Principle for infinite horizon optimal control are also discussed.

Stability and Error Analysis of the Semidiscretized Fractional Nonlocal Thermistor Problem

A finite difference scheme is proposed for temporal discretization of the nonlocal time-fractional thermistor problem. Stability and error analysis of the proposed scheme are provided.

Optimal Control of Particle Advection in Couette and Poiseuille Flows

We present the problem of minimum time control of a particle advected in Couette and Poiseuille flows and solve it by using the Pontryagin maximum principle. This study is a first step of an effort aiming at the development of a mathematical framework for the control and optimization of dynamic control systems whose state variable is driven by interacting ODEs and PDEs which can be applied in the control of underwater gliders and mechanical fishes.

Approximating Sets of Symmetric and Positive-Definite Matrices by Geodesics

We formulate a generalized version of the classical linear regression problem on Riemannian manifolds and derive the counterpart to the normal equations for the manifold of symmetric and positive definite matrices, equipped with the only metric that is invariant under the natural action of the general linear group.

Geometric Hamiltonian Formulation of a Variational Problem Depending on the Covariant Acceleration

We consider a second-order variational problem depending on the covariant acceleration, which is related to the notion of Riemannian cubic polynomials. This problem and the corresponding optimal control problem are described in the context of higher order tangent bundles using geometric tools. The main tool, a presymplectic variant of Pontryagin’s maximum principle, allows us to study the dynamics of the control problem.

Mathematical Modeling of Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation Coupled with a Non-Newtonian Model of Blood Flow

We deal with a mathematical model of atherosclerosis plaque formation, which describes the early formation of atherosclerotic lesions. The model assumes that the inflammatory process starts with the penetration of low-density lipoproteins cholesterol in the intima, and that penetration will occur in the area of lower shear stress. Using a system of reaction-diffusion equations, we first provide a one-dimensional model of lesion growth. Then we perform numerical simulations on an idealized two-dimensional geometry of the carotid artery bifurcation before and after the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. For that purpose, we consider the blood as an incompressible non-Newtonian fluid with shear-thinning viscosity. We also present a study of the wall shear stress and blood velocity behavior in a geometry with one plaque and also with two plaques in different positions.

Sensitivity Analysis in a Dengue Epidemiological Model

Epidemiological models may give some basic guidelines for public health practitioners, allowing the analysis of issues that can influence the strategies to prevent and fight a disease. To be used in decision making, however, a mathematical model must be carefully parameterized and validated with epidemiological and entomological data. Here an SIR (S for susceptible, I for infectious, and R for recovered individuals) and ASI (A for the aquatic phase of the mosquito, S for susceptible, and I for infectious mosquitoes) epidemiological model describing a dengue disease is presented, as well as the associated basic reproduction number. A sensitivity analysis of the epidemiological model is performed in order to determine the relative importance of the model parameters to the disease transmission.

Solving a Signalized Traffic Intersection Problem with NLP Solvers

Mathematical Programs with Complementarity Constraints (MPCC) finds many applications in areas such as engineering design, economic equilibrium, and mathematical theory itself. In this work, we consider a queuing system model resulting from a single signalized traffic intersection regulated by pretimed control in an urban traffic network. The model is formulated as an MPCC problem and may be used to ascertain the optimal cycle and the green split allocation. This MPCC problem is also formulated as its NLP equivalent reformulation. The goal of this work is to solve the problem, using both MPCC and NLP formulations, minimizing two objective functions: the average queue length over all queues and the average waiting time over the worst queue. The problem was codified in AMPL and solved using some optimization software packages.