We present a methodology for designing reference tracking controllers for constrained, discrete-time piecewise affine systems. The approach follows the idea of reference governor techniques where the desired set-point is filtered by a system called the “reference governor”. Based on the system current state, set-point, and prescribed constraints, the reference governor computes a new set-point ...

Numerous studies have demonstrated that preferences among options in riskless choice are often influenced by reference points. That is, an existing reference level or status quo can bias preferences toward new alternatives. Reference-dependent effects have typically been attributed to loss aversion (Tversky & Kahneman, 1991). The key idea is that when an option is being considered, an individua...

In multiobjective optimisation, one of the most common ways of describing the decision makerÕs preferences is to assign targeted values (goals) to con ̄icting objectives as well as relative weights and priority levels for attaining the goals. In linear and convex decision situations, traditional goal programming provides a pragmatic and ̄exible manner to cater for the above preferences. In certa...

We study a model in which consumers are reference-dependent, modeled using prospect-theory, and their reference point is the average behavior of the society in that period. We show that in any of the equilibria of the economy after a finite number of periods the wealth distribution will become, and remain, either of perfect equality, or admit a missing class, a particular form of polarization b...

The Consortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale (COPHES) was launched to collect population-representative data on environmental exposures for the European Union (EU) as a whole. In this issue of EHP, investigators describe results from DEMOCOPHES, the demonstration project that proved the feasibility of a harmonized approach across 17 EU nations. “We have shown that working t...

When learning to program, students often mistakenly refer to an element that is structurally related to the element that they intend to reference. For example, they may indicate the attribute of an object when their intention is to reference the whole object. This paper examines these reference-point errors through the context of metonymy. Metonymy is a rhetorical device where the speaker state...

Recent interest in reducing budget deficits raises questions regarding the impact on legislative bargaining of cuts versus increases in government spending. Using an experimental design where the outcomes are theoretically isomorphic results in significant differences in bargaining outcomes: There are longer delays in reaching agreement with cuts than with increases, along with which legislativ...

The tri-reference point (TRP) theory takes into account minimum requirements (MR), the status quo (SQ), and goals (G) in decision making under risk. The 3 reference points demarcate risky outcomes and risk perception into 4 functional regions: success (expected value of x ≥ G), gain (SQ < × < G), loss (MR ≤ x < SQ), and failure (x < MR). The psychological impact of achieving or failing to achie...

height is amongst the most delicate subjects of geodesy. thanks to the global navigation satellite systems (gnss) like gps or glonass, 3d point positioning of points, by geometrical positioning, since years ago has become a common practice. the height derived from these ways has a geometrical concept. in civil projects the physical concept of the height is more demanded. orthometric height, , i...