Ill-Conditioning in Matlab Computation of Optimal Control with Time- Delays

A direct transcription method transforms an optimal control problem (OCP) into a nonlinear programming problem (NLP).The resulting NLP can be solved by any NLP solver, such as the Matlab's optimization toolbox, the fsqp, etc.On solving optimization problems using the Matlab's optimization toolbox does not obtain an accurate Hessian matrix at the optimal solution due to the fact that the Hessian matrix is not being evaluated directly from the optimal solution. In this paper we compute the condition numbers associated with the optimal control computation, where the classical forth-order Runge-Kutta method is used for the discretization of the state equations. The computations of optimal solutions are done for different numbers of switching points and quadrature points per a switching interval. Test examples show that the condition numbers of the active constraints, projected Hessian and the whole Lagrangian system are more likely to increase with the number of the switching intervals per a delay interval than by the number of the quadrature intervals per a switching interval. Also, the three medium scale optimization algorithm of the Matlabs optimization toolbox give almost similar condition numbers when used to solve the optimal control problem

An examination of the analytic/synthetic distinction with special reference to W.V.O. Quine

The thesis takes a fresh look at the Analytic/Synthetic distinction and tries to assess the force of the attack launched against it by Quine, While, Waismann and others. First a brief history of the distinction is given, which traces it to its origins in the writings of Leibniz and Kant. The use and scope of the distinction in contemporary analytic philosophy is explained and criticized, and the part played by Wittgenstein's Tractatus is examined, Quine's views on the distinction are stated and discussed at some length. They are given a special attention; because they are seen to pose a profound challenge to the way in which the distinction is normally drawn and employed in modern philosophy. The debate between Quine and his opponents over the distinction is stated and assessed, and the opinion put forward that Quine's main contentions are not refuted by their answer. The related topic of the admissibility of intensional concepts is introduced. The disagreement of Quine with other philosophers concerning the nature of logical truth is considered. The opinions of Quine about the respective roles of experience and convention are contrasted with those of his opponents. Quine's suggested 'canonical notation' as a replacement of intensional language is briefly stated and discussed. The debatable character of some of Quine's contentions here does not crucially affect the essential part of his thesis about the graduation of analyticity. The writer sympathizes with Quine. However, the issue is still very much an open one in spite of the fact that Quine's views are not favourably received by the majority of philosophers

An Efficient Design of 2-D Digital Filters Using Singular Value Decomposition and Genetic Algorithm with Canonical Signed Digit (CSD) Coefficients

In this thesis, the design of 2-D filters by SVD is proposed. This technique reduces the complexity of the designed 2-D digital filters by decomposing it into a set of 1-D digital filters in zl and z2 connected in cascade. The design by SVD can be improved by varying the order of 1-D digital filters in each section based on their corresponding singular values. It is shown that by assigning higher order filters to the sections with greater singular values (SVs), and lower order filters to the sections with lower SVs, a sizable reduction in the total number of required multiplications is achieved. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used to design each of the 1-D filters instead of classical optimization. Canonical signed digit system is used to represent filters\u27 coefficients. CSD helps to improve the efficiency of multiplications and thus increase the throughput rate. Examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed technique

Development And Evaluation Of Science Courseware Through Puzzle-Based Game - Funtime Learning Science

Games have become major contributor in education field. Game based learning (GBL) is a paradigm that uses the game as a medium for delivering the learning contents combination with educational content and games on computers or on line for learners in order to induce learner’s motivation enhance in continuing learning, increase performance and learning effectiveness. This research will discuss about the development of Science courseware entitled Funtime Learning Science which used game as a tool in learning Science subject. This courseware is specifically developed for a topic in Science subject in Chapter Two which is Nutrition that constitutes a compulsory for students in Form Two in one of the school in Melaka. The purpose of this research is to evaluate students’ performances between GBL approach and non GBL. Based on the questionnaires, Human Digestive System in Nutrition topic is identifying as the most difficult topic, because students need to understand and visualize the process in human digestion system. One of their problems faced when learning this topic is student disable to imagine the flow of digestion. The benefits gained from this research are where it gives advantage to the students, teachers and education industry. The development methodology of this courseware is based on ADDIE model. It consists of five phases which are analysis phase, design phase, development phase, implementation phase and evaluation phases. For the preliminary analysis, 71 students from Form Two students are involved to identify the most difficult topic in the Science subject. In order to measure students performances on the Funtime Learning Science courseware, the respondent were divided into two groups namely control group (35 respondents) and experiment group (36 respondents). Both groups were given a set of pre-test questionnaire. From the analysis of the result, both of control and experiment group showed an improvement but the student who uses Funtime Learning Science courseware get higher mark. The prototype called Funtime Learning Science is developed to support in teaching and learning of this research. Findings at this study, 92.3% from pilot study proved that students prefer game based learning method than conventional method. The use of Funtime Learning Science can engage students in learning and increase students motivation and performance as they get better result. Lastly this study has showed that the implementation of GBL can help students to remember the subject especially the human digestion system

Knowing the ropes: autonomy in the everyday life of Egyptian married women

The rationale behind this thesis has been to construct different frames of married women\u27s autonomy in Egypt. Such frames are meant to describe different patterns of behavior in the everyday life of Egyptian married women. In order to construct such frames, a research has been conducted and twenty five in-depth interviews alongside a discussion group with five participants were held with self identified Egyptian married women. The research sought answers to questions on married women\u27s definition of autonomy, how it is expressed in the various roles they play in their everyday lives, the constraints facing such autonomy in married women\u27s view, and how their sense of autonomy may affect the gender identity of their children. This thesis employs feminist post-structuralist theory, the gender difference discourse, a feminist discursive approach on the development of gender identity, the theory of cognitive dissonance, and the concept of individual agency. This thesis also draws on studies conducted on gender-role attitudes among Egyptian adolescents, women\u27s reaction to their domestication in the U.S.A, and married women\u27s levels and indicators of autonomy in Egypt. Having been founded on the premise that women\u27s situation in Egypt is greatly influenced by how they conceptualize their autonomy and their role in the family, this thesis deconstructs the notion of married women\u27s autonomy to reconstruct it into five frames that illustrate women\u27s different behaviors in the family. The five frames of autonomy coined in this thesis are: Subordination by Consent, Restrained Autonomy, Disguised Autonomy, Progressive Autonomy and Radical Autonomy. These frames constitute the contribution of this thesis to the study of women in Egypt

Dairy extension and educational programs in Kansas

Call number: LD2668 .R4 1967 B

Estimation of the Optimal Regularization Parameters in Optimal Control Problems with time delay

In this paper we use the L-curve method and the Morozov discrepancy principle for the estimation of the regularization parameter in the regularization of time-delayed optimal control computation. Zeroth order, first order and second order differential operators are considered. Two test examples show that the L-curve method and the two discrepancy principles give close estimations for the regularization parameters

The Impact of Remittances on the Import Demand Function in Jordan: An ARDL Bounds Testing Approach

The present study investigates the short- and long-run relationships between Jordan’s aggregate import demand function and its macroeconomic determinants, in addition to remittances. The study employs the autoregressive distributed lagged (ARDL) model to estimate the import function over the period 1975–2016. The preliminary statistical tests, the ADF test, confirmed that none of the variables is integrated of order 2, while the bounds testing provided evidence of the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between the included variables. Moreover, the diagnostic tests showed that the estimated model is free of the statistical problems. The long-run results indicated that remittances, inflation rate, and investment have a direct relationship with imports, whereas the import price index and FDI have a negative relationship. Based on these results, the study suggests that policymakers implement inflation reduction policies, increase the level of economic activities, and promote remittances inflows since they are mostly directed to investment