A squared-variable transformation approach to nonlinear programming optimality conditions

We show that the well-known necessary and sufficient conditions for a relative maximum of a nonlinear differentiable objective function with nonnegative variables constrained by nonlinear differentiable inequalities may be derived using the classical theory of equality constrained optimization problems with unrestricted variables. To do this we transform the original inequality-constrained problem to an equivalent equality-constrained problem by means of a well-known squared-variable transformation. Our major result is to show that second order conditions must be used to obtain the Kuhn-Tucker conditions by this approach. Our nonlinear programming results are motivated by the development of some well-known linear programming results by this approach.     

Some experiments in global optimization

When applied to a problem which has more than one local optimal solution, most nonlinear programming algorithms will terminate with the first local solution found. Several methods have been suggested for extending the search to find the global optimum of such a nonlinear program. In this report we present the results of some numerical experiments designed to compare the performance of various strategies for finding the global solution.     

模拟刚性动能弹丸侵彻混凝土的FE-SPH方法

应用动力有限元与SPH相结合的方法对刚性动性弹丸高速侵彻混凝土靶进行了数值模拟分析,使用HJC本构建模型描述混凝土。计算结果与在57气体炮上所获得的实验数据基本吻合,并能再现侵彻过程中弹的运动及混凝土的飞散、应力波的传播等物理现象。计算结果说明这种新的算法及HJC本构模型用来描述混凝土的侵彻问题是可行和有效的。     

Institutions,information, and commitment: the role of democracy in conflict

This paper explores the hypothesis that both the preexisting quality of democracy in a polity at the onset of conflict and the quality of democracy expected to emerge in the aftermath influence the likelihood of civil war. An empirical investigation of the hypothesis presents a challenge due to concerns of endogeneity and selection: the post-conflict level of democracy is endogenous to the pre-conflict level. Further, for a given time period, either a number of countries have not experienced civil war; or if they did, did not resolve the conflict. We overcome this selection bias by implementing a three-step extension to the Heckman procedure using an unbalanced cross-country panel of 77 countries over the period 1971–2005. Consistent with our hypothesis, we find that a standard deviation improvement in the existing level of democracy reduces the probability of civil war by approximately 9 percentage points and a corresponding improvement in expected post-conflict democratization increases the probability of conflict by approximately 48 percentage points.     

Life in the “Gray Zone”: observations for contemporary strategists

The term “Gray Zone” is gaining in popularity as a way of describing contemporary security challenges. This article describes the “short-of-war” strategies – the fait accompli, proxy warfare, and the exploitation of ambiguous deterrence situations, i.e. “salami tactics” – that are captured by the term and offers several explanations for why state and non-state actors are drawn to these strategies. The analysis highlights why defense postures based on deterrence are especially vulnerable to the short-of-war strategies that populate the “Gray Zone.” The article concludes by suggesting how defense officials might adapt defense policies to life in the “Gray Zone.”     

Terrorism,Radicalisation and Moral Panics: Media and Academic Analysis and Reporting of 2016 and 2017 ‘Terrorism’

Radicalism or radicalisation has become a serious political and academic theme in recent years and any incident involving Muslims now almost automatically acquires the cachet, as events in 2016 and 2017 have shown. However, despite vast sums and resources expended on the subject no one can define what they mean by ‘it’. This should make us pause and question what precisely it is that causes so much alarm and is it worth the resources, time and effort employed to respond to it?     

不同采集设备时间对准研究及误差分析

在数据采集和测试领域,经常出现对不同采集设备的记录参数进行对比分析的情况.为保证对比分析的正确性,需要对来自不同采集设备的数据进行时间上的对准.针对采集设备缺少时间信息的情况,提出一种利用关键参数的关键变化节点实现不同采集设备时间对准的方法.选取记录在不同采集设备中的同一个参数设为关键参数,分别查找该参数在两采集设备中发生同一状态变化的采集时刻位置,该时刻位置作为关键时间节点.利用该关键节点和采集设备的采集频率,实现不同采集设备起始时刻的对准.最后利用数值内插,实现不同采集设备在任意时刻的时间对准.通过均值和方差工具对该方法的时间对准精度进行分析,结果表明时间对准精度取决于采集设备的采集频率,当不同采集设备采集频率差异较大时对准精度取决于较低的采集频率.     

军事装备在突发事件应急响应中的应用

军事装备应用于突发事件应急响应并非不可行或大材小用,我国在自然灾害、事故灾难和海上联合救援等领域已积累了较为丰富的应用经验,国外一些国家同样有着相关应用实例。本文认为,此类应用符合我国军队宗旨与现行规制,能够满足风险社会下的应急能力（资源）整合需要,装备的优势在响应过程中也能发挥特殊作用。但相关应用并非是指一般突发事件,而是重大或特殊的突发事件。根据我国现有规制与军事装备的优势,这类装备至少可应用于巨灾式自然灾害、重大公共卫生事件、高危害性事故灾难和规模性撤侨等突发事件中。为进一步促进军事装备的此类应用,需要完善应用的相关规制,使得应用更为规范和顺畅;同时加强响应中多主体的协调,提升应用效率;以及促进军民融合的深度发展,实现双向促进。