A mathematical explanation via "intelligent" PID controllers of the strange ubiquity of PIDs

The ubiquity of PID controllers in the industry has remained mysterious until now. We provide here a mathematical explanation of this strange phenomenon by comparing their sampling with the the one of "intelligent" PID controllers, which were recently introduced. Some computer simulations nevertheless confirm the superiority of the new intelligent feedback design

Aftermath Of The Nothing

This article consists in two parts that are complementary and autonomous at the same time. In the first one, we develop some surprising consequences of the introduction of a new constant called Lambda in order to represent the object ``nothing" or ``void" into a standard set theory. On a conceptual level, it allows to see sets in a new light and to give a legitimacy to the empty set. On a technical level, it leads to a relative resolution of the anomaly of the intersection of a family free of sets. In the second part, we show the interest of introducing an operator of potentiality into a standard set theory. Among other results, this operator allows to prove the existence of a hierarchy of empty sets and to propose a solution to the puzzle of "ubiquity" of the empty set. Both theories are presented with equi-consistency results (model and interpretation). Here is a declaration of intent : in each case, the starting point is a conceptual questionning; the technical tools come in a second time\\[0.4cm] \textbf{Keywords:} nothing, void, empty set, null-class, zero-order logic with quantifiers, potential, effective, empty set, ubiquity, hierarchy, equality, equality by the bottom, identity, identification

Techno-mathematical literacies in the workplace: a critical skills gap

There has been a radical shift in the mathematical skills required in modern workplaces. With the ubiquity of IT, employees now require Techno-mathematical Literacies, the mastery of new kinds of mathematical knowledge shaped by the systems that govern their work. The education system does not fully recognise these skills, employees often lack them, and companies struggle to improve them. This project has developed prototype learning resources to train a variety of employees in the mathematical awareness and knowledge that today’s employment require

Exploring sensor data management

The increasing availability of cheap, small, low-power sensor hardware and the ubiquity of wired and wireless networks has led to the prediction that `smart evironments' will emerge in the near future. The sensors in these environments collect detailed information about the situation people are in, which is used to enhance information-processing applications that are present on their mobile and `ambient' devices.\ud \ud Bridging the gap between sensor data and application information poses new requirements to data management. This report discusses what these requirements are and documents ongoing research that explores ways of thinking about data management suited to these new requirements: a more sophisticated control flow model, data models that incorporate time, and ways to deal with the uncertainty in sensor data

Panpsychism’s Combination Problem Is a Problem for Everyone

The most pressing worry for panpsychism is arguably the combination problem, the problem of intelligibly explaining how the experiences of microphysical entities combine to form the experiences of macrophysical entities such as ourselves. This chapter argues that the combination problem is similar in kind to other problems of mental combination that are problems for everyone: the problem of phenomenal unity, the problem of mental structure, and the problem of new quality spaces. The ubiquity of combination problems suggests the ignorance hypothesis, the hypothesis that we are ignorant of certain key facts about mental combination, which allows the panpsychist to avoid certain objections based on the combination problem

Anisotropically Inflating Universes

We show that in theories of gravity that add quadratic curvature invariants to the Einstein-Hilbert action there exist expanding vacuum cosmologies with positive cosmological constant which do not approach the de Sitter universe. Exact solutions are found which inflate anisotropically. This behaviour is driven by the Ricci curvature invariant and has no counterpart in the general relativistic limit. These examples show that the cosmic no-hair theorem does not hold in these higher-order extensions of general relativity and raises new questions about the ubiquity of inflation in the very early universe and the thermodynamics of gravitational fields.Comment: 5 pages, further discussion and references adde

Location-based variability for mobile information systems

Advances in size, power, and ubiquity of computing technology, sensors, and communication technology made possible the development of so-called mobile or nomadic information systems. A mobile information system has the potential to autonomously change its behaviour according to different location settings. Variability of location and system behaviour is a central feature of such new generation of information systems. This paper stresses the importance of modeling and analyzing variability of location as a basis for variability of software. We describe graphical and formal techniques to model location information, show their usage in conjunction with the goal-oriented framework i*/Tropos, and propose three analysis techniques on location-based goal models

Emotive computing may have a role in telecare

This brief paper sets out arguments for the introduction of new technologies into telecare and lifestyle monitoring that can detect and monitor the emotive state of patients. The significantly increased use of computers by older people will enable the elements of emotive computing to be integrated with features such as keyboards and webcams, to provide additional information on emotional state. When this is combined with other data, there will be significant opportunities for system enhancement and the identification of changes in user status, and hence of need. The ubiquity of home computing makes the keyboard a very attractive, economic and non-intrusive means of data collection and analysis

Situating the transient user: overcoming challenges in the design of e-government systems

e-Government systems present new challenges for user involvement in the design process. Existing user-centred and participatory design methodologies were mainly developed for situations where a user is in the workplace. In e-government applications the user population is heterogeneous and numerous; the increasing ubiquity of e-government systems also questions the concept of “the interface”. This paper presents the results of a study of discourses of e-government users in two cases studies of interaction with new information systems in transport, which illuminate usability problems arising from a failure to prioritise users’ needs at all stages. An approach is proposed which accounts for the values as well as the goals of users, appropriating stakeholder analysis and ideas from Soft Systems Methodology while recognising that the routine actions of users in the real world are situated and contingent