This thesis develops several systematic and unified approaches for analyzing dynamic systems with positive characteristics or a more general cone invariance property. Based on these analysis results, it uses linear programming tools to address static output feedback synthesis problems with a focus on optimal gain performances. Owing to their low computational complexity, the established controller design algorithms are applicable for large-scale systems. The theory and control strategies developed will not only be useful in handling large-scale positive delay systems with improved solvability and at lower cost, but also further our understanding of the system characteristics in other related areas, such as distributed coordination of networked multi-agent systems, formation control of multiple robots.

This thesis develops several systematic and unified approaches for analyzing dynamic systems with positive characteristics or a more general cone invariance property. Based on these analysis results, it uses linear programming tools to address static output feedback synthesis problems with a focus on optimal gain performances. Owing to their low computational complexity, the established controller design algorithms are applicable for large-scale systems. The theory and control strategies developed will not only be useful in handling large-scale positive delay systems with improved solvability and at lower cost, but also further our understanding of the system characteristics in other related areas, such as distributed coordination of networked multi-agent systems, formation control of multiple robots.

This compendium introduces an artificial intelligence-supported solution to realize adaptive micro learning over open education resource (OER). The advantages of cloud computing and big data are leveraged to promote the categorization and customization of OERs micro learning context. For a micro-learning service, OERs are tailored into fragmented pieces to be consumed within shorter time frames.Firstly, the current status of mobile-learning, micro-learning, and OERs are described. Then, the significances and challenges of Micro Learning as a Service (MLaaS) are discussed. A framework of a service-oriented system is provided, which adopts both online and offline computation domain to work in conjunction to improve the performance of learning resource adaptation.In addition, a comprehensive learner model and a knowledge base is prepared to semantically profile the learners and learning resource. The novel delivery and access mode of OERs suffers from the cold start problem because of the shortage of already-known learner information versus the continuously released new micro OERs. This unique volume provides an excellent feasible algorithmic solution to overcome the cold start problem.