FILTERED-DYNAMIC-INVERSION CONTROL FOR UNKNOWN MINIMUM-PHASE SYSTEMS WITH UNKNOWN RELATIVE DEGREE

We present filtered-dynamic-inversion (FDI) control for unknown linear time-invariant systems that are multi-input multi-output and minimum phase with unknown-but-bounded relative degree. This FDI controller requires limited model information, specifically, knowledge of an upper bound on the relative degree and knowledge of the first nonzero Markov parameter. The FDI controller is a single-parameter high-parameter-stabilizing controller that is robust to uncertainty in the relative degree. We characterize the stability of the closed-loop system. We present numerical examples, where the FDI controller is implemented in feedback with mathematical and physical systems. The numerical examples demonstrate that the FDI controller for unknown relative degree is effective for stabilization, command following, and disturbance rejection. We demonstrate that for a sufficiently large parameter, the average power of the closed-loop performance is arbitrarily small

A Thematic Analysis of Canine-Assisted Interventions in Educational Settings in Finland

The aim of the present study was to support further research into canine-assisted interventions (CAIs) by providing small theories about the effectiveness of CAIs in various educational settings. The main research question of this paper was How and Why CAIs produce change in learning, in the opinions of practitioners in the field? This research question was addressed through a number of smaller research questions, linked to the elements of a small theory. In order to answer the research questions, an interview guide was developed based on previous research literature and an instrument applied in previous research. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with practitioners in the field of CAI across different educational contexts and analyzed with the help of thematic analysis. As a result of the study, three small theories, explaining the effectiveness of CAIs, were developed. According to the small theories, CAIs have a possibility to serve the needs of struggling learners, aiming to improve reading and oral skills and provide them with a more positive learning environment. CAIs influence educational goals indirectly, through improving aspects of the learners’ motivation, self-perception and self-regulation. Moreover, CAIs provide emotional social support and coping assistance. As a result, the clients’ attitude towards learning situations improves, their mood and happiness levels rise, which is seen as a valuable outcome of CAIs across contexts. The practitioners do not directly measure the outcomes of CAIs, but use observation and feedback to evaluate their effectiveness. The small theories can be used in future research as a starting point for new investigations

Targeting of noncanonical nucleic acid structures for therapeutic intervention and biological investigation

G-quadruplex (G4) structures fall among the most extensively studied noncanonical DNA/RNA conformations, with the current knowledge suggesting that they might play an integral part in many biological processes, including transcriptional regulation, telomeric maintenance, malignant transformation, and cancer development. In the last decade, mounting attention has been also focused on i-motif (iM) structures. Even though the structural aspects of iM formation, the factors leading to its stabilization, and its putative biological roles have been recently reviewed and discussed by the scientific community, there is still much to know about such noncanonical nucleic acid conformation. This PhD project aimed, on the one hand, at providing a more in-depth knowledge about the i-motif structures and, on the other hand, at identifying and developing new molecular tools able to target alternative nucleic acid secondary structures for either therapeutic intervention or biological investigation. Particularly, the thesis has been subdivided as follow: Chapter 1 provides a general description of nucleic acids and noncanonical DNA/RNA conformations, stressing on their structural features and biological roles. Chapter 2 offers an overview of the main methodologies employed in the herein presented studies. Chapter 3 includes two detailed investigations on iM structures. The first one is a systematic study to simultaneously analyze the effect of pH, cation type, and cation concentration (and their possible interactions) on the formation of an i-motif structure in vitro. The second one uses multivariate data analysis to bring out valuable structural information on i-motif DNA from circular dichroism and thermal difference spectra. Chapter 4 describes new G4-targeting compounds that we identified or rationally designed and synthesized as potential anti-cancer agents. In Chapter 5, new molecules are reported that might be used as tools to clarify the biological roles of G4 and iM structures and their intriguing relationship. The last section of this PhD thesis collects the general conclusions. Finally, the Appendix reports the published scientific articles as cited throughout the thesis. Paper IV is not included since the Manuscript is still in preparation and has not been submitted at the present time

Implementation Strategy of 9-Year Compulsory Basic Education Policy In Serang Banten

The article was to find out the strategy in 9-year compulsory basic education policy implementation in Serang. The achievement of compulsory education programs supported the achievement of the vision and mission of national education. All Indonesian citizens have the opportunity to receive basic education. The study focused on planning, development of policy stabilization patterns, socialization, and monitoring. This study used a qualitative descriptive method. The process of collecting data used observation, documents and interviews. Data analysis techniques were data reduction, data presentation, discussion and conclusions. The results show that the process of the nine-year compulsory basic education program has been carried out sequentially in accordance with the activities specified to achieve the program's objectives. Thus, the results of this study recommend that the government in Serang used the appropriate strategy as local tradition and culture. Keywords: Basic 9-Years Compulsory Education, Education Policy, Management Educatio

Large-scale educational telecommunications systems for the US: An analysis of educational needs and technological opportunities

The needs to be served, the subsectors in which the system might be used, the technology employed, and the prospects for future utilization of an educational telecommunications delivery system are described and analyzed. Educational subsectors are analyzed with emphasis on the current status and trends within each subsector. Issues which affect future development, and prospects for future use of media, technology, and large-scale electronic delivery within each subsector are included. Information on technology utilization is presented. Educational telecommunications services are identified and grouped into categories: public television and radio, instructional television, computer aided instruction, computer resource sharing, and information resource sharing. Technology based services, their current utilization, and factors which affect future development are stressed. The role of communications satellites in providing these services is discussed. Efforts to analyze and estimate future utilization of large-scale educational telecommunications are summarized. Factors which affect future utilization are identified. Conclusions are presented

Deep Learning based Recommender System: A Survey and New Perspectives

With the ever-growing volume of online information, recommender systems have been an effective strategy to overcome such information overload. The utility of recommender systems cannot be overstated, given its widespread adoption in many web applications, along with its potential impact to ameliorate many problems related to over-choice. In recent years, deep learning has garnered considerable interest in many research fields such as computer vision and natural language processing, owing not only to stellar performance but also the attractive property of learning feature representations from scratch. The influence of deep learning is also pervasive, recently demonstrating its effectiveness when applied to information retrieval and recommender systems research. Evidently, the field of deep learning in recommender system is flourishing. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent research efforts on deep learning based recommender systems. More concretely, we provide and devise a taxonomy of deep learning based recommendation models, along with providing a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art. Finally, we expand on current trends and provide new perspectives pertaining to this new exciting development of the field.Comment: The paper has been accepted by ACM Computing Surveys. https://doi.acm.org/10.1145/328502

High-Frequency Analysis of Foreign Exchange Interventions: What do we learn?

The high-frequency analysis of foreign exchange dynamics is helpful in order to better identify the impact of central bank interventions. Evidence robustly shows that interventions do indeed move the exchange rate level in the desired direction. Interventions increase volatility in the short run as they are regarded as information; but they can reduce volatility overall. Ways of transmission may reach beyond the signaling channel and also include theportfolio balance and a damping channel. Finally, interventions are more successful if they obey certain conditions, such as being coordinated among central banks and going with the market and fundamentals.foreign exchange, central bank intervention, high-frequency data, transmission channel