Onsite Research in the U.S. and Canada: Govemental Data Availability in Notrh America

This paper attempts to reveal the vertical specialization dependence relationship in East Asian countries using the multi country vertical specialization dependence modeling based on the Asian International Input-Output data. Use of multi country model allows us to study the country-wise vertical specialization association that is not possible with the single country model. More over, the multi country vertical specialization dependence modeling, a new approach to study the vertical specialization (imported intermediate goods to produce the export goods), enables us to explain the dependence on domestic intermediate goods and the dependence on other countries as well. The results show that the vertical specialization dependence on total import and group of USA, EU and ROW is high in general among the East Asian countries. However, it is also important to note that the vertical specialization dependence on 9 Asian countries and Hong Kong is relatively high as compared to non-regional countries. Such a situation of vertical specialization dependence in East Asia indicates the strong relationship (in terms of vertical specialization) among the Asian countries.International trade, Input-Output analysis, Vertical specialization, East Asia

Sensitivity and optimization of composite structures using MSC/NASTRAN

Design sensitivity analysis for composites will soon be available in MSC/NASTRAN. The design variables for composites can be lamina thicknesses, orientation angles, material properties or a combination of all three. With the increasing use of composites in aerospace and automotive industries, this general capability can be used in its own right for carrying out sensitivity analysis of complicated real-life structures. As part of a research effort, the sensitivity analysis was coupled with a general purpose optimizer. This preliminary version of the optimizer is capable of dealing with minimum weight structural design with a rather general design variable linking capability at the element level or system level. Only sizing type of design variables (i.e., lamina thicknesses) can be handled by the optimizer. Test cases were run and validated by comparison with independent finite element packages. The linking of design sensitivity capability for composites in MSC/NASTRAN with an optimizer would give designers a powerful automated tool to carry out practical opitmization design of real-life complicated composite structures

Grid sensitivity capability for large scale structures

The considerations and the resultant approach used to implement design sensitivity capability for grids into a large scale, general purpose finite element system (MSC/NASTRAN) are presented. The design variables are grid perturbations with a rather general linking capability. Moreover, shape and sizing variables may be linked together. The design is general enough to facilitate geometric modeling techniques for generating design variable linking schemes in an easy and straightforward manner. Test cases have been run and validated by comparison with the overall finite difference method. The linking of a design sensitivity capability for shape variables in MSC/NASTRAN with an optimizer would give designers a powerful, automated tool to carry out practical optimization design of real life, complicated structures

Comparison of Reinforcement Learning algorithms applied to the Cart Pole problem

Designing optimal controllers continues to be challenging as systems are becoming complex and are inherently nonlinear. The principal advantage of reinforcement learning (RL) is its ability to learn from the interaction with the environment and provide optimal control strategy. In this paper, RL is explored in the context of control of the benchmark cartpole dynamical system with no prior knowledge of the dynamics. RL algorithms such as temporal-difference, policy gradient actor-critic, and value function approximation are compared in this context with the standard LQR solution. Further, we propose a novel approach to integrate RL and swing-up controllers