A focus on learning : Wuality in teaching & learning : The proceedings of the Teaching & Learning Forum, Edith Cowan University, Perth, February 1995

These papers represent the proceedings of the fourth Teaching and Learning Forum conducted in Perth from February 7-9, 1995. Curtin University hosted the first two Forums and we at Edith Cowan University the third and fourth. In 1996 the honour (and the hard work) transfers to Murdoch. The Forum\u27s objectives were: • To bring together people in higher education who are interested in practical teaching issues (Lecturers, managers, administrators, students, support, general and technical staff). • To share ideas, information and practices in a variety of mutually supportive, friendly and co-operative ways. • To celebrate quality in teaching and learning and raise the status of teaching and learning in tertiary institutions. We believe that these were achieved. This set of proceedings is not organised around a set of sub themes, but rather is presented in alphabetical order with outlines of workshops and short presentations taking their place alongside research papers - as was the case at the Forum

Scientific visualization of multi-temporal remotely-sensed data for monitoring drought-related famine conditions : nutritional, socio-economic & climatic vulnerability in Sudan's Gezira

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1999.Vita.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-202).This study addresses the design and deployment constraints and potential utility of an emerging analytical concept for planning adaptive response and mitigation of the regional impact of global climate change, within the context of a complex region in Sudan, with multiple biogenic and anthropogenic vulnerabilities. The specific conceptualization is referred to herein as the Temporal Analysis, Reconnaissance, and Decision Integration System (TARDIS). TARDIS is conceived as a composite planning tool, incorporating virtual temporal analysis, virtual spatial analysis, change detection for archival remotely-sensed data, trend extrapolation, generation of alternative future what-if scenarios and integration with both quantitative and rule-based decision-support. The rationale for developing the specifications for the TARDIS proof-of-concept is the observation that decisions concerning complex phenomena, involving multiple intractable problems, deserve to be made in an information-rich environment. Moreover, it is contended that such decisions could benefit both from an historical perspective and from the luxury of a comparative visualization of possible future outcomes of past trends, current policies and putative what-if constructs. The broad parameters for multi-variable factors affecting food security and the potentially significant regional impact of global climate change on Sudan's Gezira are presented. Also described are the potential contributions of the TARDIS in supporting planners and decision-makers, whose decisions might benefit from visualization of archival satellite data and from visualization of alternative future scenarios. I am primarily concerned with a triad of issues, in the order presented, and their interaction with one another: > FOOD SECURITY, WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THE SUDAN > GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON FOOD PRODUCING REGIONS, SUCH AS SUDAN'S GEZIRA > VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR TIME-SERIES SATELLITE DATA TO SUPPORT DECISION ANALYSIS, UNDER CONDITIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLEXITY, TYPIFIED BY THE SUDAN CASE STUDY Under this broad rubric, I seek to define a discrete area of concentration, namely, the articulation of design specifications for a proof-of-concept composite prototype decision support tool, incorporating scientific visualization of remotely sensed data. Although this tool potentially has generic applicability to decision-making and planning within diverse disciplines and geographic locations, the intended application, herein, is as a tool supporting decisions regarding future food security for Sudan's Gezira agricultural area, with specific reference to food crop, dhurra, (Sorghum bicolor) and cash crop, long staple cotton, (Gossypium Barakatensis) sustainability, under anticipated hotter and more arid climate conditions. The objective of applying this tool to the Sudanese context is to facilitate long-term planning and decision-making related to food security issues in the Gezira, given the climatological threat of future increased temperature and decreased precipitation. Accordingly, the first demonstration of the TARDIS proof-of-concept will be a simulated test run (STR) of data pertinent to Sudan's Gezira. The results of this STR will be evaluated in Chapter 4, and, based upon the outcome, recommendations for regional adaptive response are offered and refinements and modifications will be suggested to improve TARDIS utility and functionality. This research seeks to establish a role for state-of-the-science visualization of remotelysensed data, as a tool for planning adaptive responses to impending climatic change and to food insecurity. Moreover, the study hypothesizes that informed decision-making and policy formulation can be facilitated, through an analysis of the archival satellite and meteorological data for Sudan's Gezira, combined with an assessment of selected current conditions (e.g. civil war, political instability and international isolation, insect infestation in the irrigated agricultural schemes, prevalence of diseases such as schistosomiasis, malaria and cholera), and with an analysis of alternative future what-if scenarios. Potential vested constituents for such technology include various bi-lateral and multi-lateral entities with trade, aid or oversight relationships with Sudan. For purposes of this study, one such agency has been selected, namely, the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS), a newly established umbrella entity within the United Nations, whose mission is "to provide policy makers, resource managers and researchers with the data they need to detect, quantify, locate and understand changes (especially reductions) in the capacity of terrestrial ecosystems to support sustainable development." Accordingly, GTOS has been identified as a potential TARDIS enduser, under the proposed auspices of the prototypical joint Food and Agricultural Organizattion (FAO)/ World Food Programme (WFP) annual Crop Survey and Nutritional Needs Assessment Mission to Sudan.by Gilbert Leonard Rochon, III.Ph.D

Research and Technology Report. Goddard Space Flight Center

This issue of Goddard Space Flight Center's annual report highlights the importance of mission operations and data systems covering mission planning and operations; TDRSS, positioning systems, and orbit determination; ground system and networks, hardware and software; data processing and analysis; and World Wide Web use. The report also includes flight projects, space sciences, Earth system science, and engineering and materials

Research & Technology Report Goddard Space Flight Center

The main theme of this edition of the annual Research and Technology Report is Mission Operations and Data Systems. Shifting from centralized to distributed mission operations, and from human interactive operations to highly automated operations is reported. The following aspects are addressed: Mission planning and operations; TDRSS, Positioning Systems, and orbit determination; hardware and software associated with Ground System and Networks; data processing and analysis; and World Wide Web. Flight projects are described along with the achievements in space sciences and earth sciences. Spacecraft subsystems, cryogenic developments, and new tools and capabilities are also discussed

OBSERVER-BASED-CONTROLLER FOR INVERTED PENDULUM MODEL

This paper presents a state space control technique for inverted pendulum system. The system is a common classical control problem that has been widely used to test multiple control algorithms because of its nonlinear and unstable behavior. Full state feedback based on pole placement and optimal control is applied to the inverted pendulum system to achieve desired design specification which are 4 seconds settling time and 5% overshoot. The simulation and optimization of the full state feedback controller based on pole placement and optimal control techniques as well as the performance comparison between these techniques is described comprehensively. The comparison is made to choose the most suitable technique for the system that have the best trade-off between settling time and overshoot. Besides that, the observer design is analyzed to see the effect of pole location and noise present in the system