We present differential approximation results (both positive and negative) for optimal satisfiability, optimal constraint satisfaction, and some of the most popular restrictive versions of them. As an important corollary, we exhibit an interesting structural difference between the landscapes of approximability classes in standard and differential paradigms.

A given explicit piecewise affine representation of an MPC feedback law is approximated by a single polynomial, computed using linear programming. This polynomial state feedback control law guarantees closed-loop stability and constraint satisfaction. The polynomial feedback can be implemented in real time even on very simple devices with severe limitations on memory storage.

This paper describes Mirador, a dynamic placement service implemented as part of an enterprise scale-out storage product. Mirador is able to encode multidimensional placement goals relating to the performance, failure response, and workload adaptation of the storage system. Using approaches from dynamic constraint satisfaction, Mirador migrates both data and client network connections in order ...

The task of planning in hybrid domains has recently attracted considerable attention, motivated by the potential for useful practical applications. Lately, approaches have been developed that resulted in efficient planning algorithms. In this paper, we push the investigation further and (1) develop execution monitoring and diagnostic algorithms for hybrid domains based on Constraint ASP (CASP);...

The design of a look-ahead traffic-adaptive control system is as well a science as an art. Along the way compromises have to be made to end up with a workable system that is not only able to come up with good signal timings, but also to deliver them on time. We propose a taxonomy of look-ahead traffic-adaptive control algorithms based both on their underlying principles and the compromises that...

Optimal control, prevention and investigation of accidents, and detection of discrepancies in estimated gas supply and distribution volumes are relevant problems of trunkline operation. Efficient dealing with these production tasks is based on the numerical recovery of spacetime distribution of nonisothermal transient flow parameters of transmitted gas mixtures based on fullscale measurements i...

Some economists have pointed to credit constraints as possible explanations for two phenomena. First, credit constraints could explain violations of Ricardian equivalence. Second, constraints could also provide a mechanism through which monetary policy could affect the real economy independent of effects on interest rates. Hayashi (1986) shows that some types of credit constraints do not necess...

Miniaturized surgical devices are promising for the future development of minimally invasive and endoluminal surgery. However, the dexterity and therapeutic functions of these devices are limited. In this paper, a reconfigurable modular robotic system is proposed to perform screening and interventions in the gastrointestinal tract. In the proposed system, millimeter-sized robotic modules are in...

The constraint programming community keeps on creating numerous search algorithms. It is an as desirable as difficult task to implement a variety of search algorithms in a single unifying framework. This design proposal states an object-oriented environment which supports development of generic search algorithms. GOOSE is abstract enough to house dissimilar search approaches and separates abstr...