Design and Simulation of a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) for a Seismic Uniaxial Shake Table

Shake table is one of the apparatus that aids in researches to generate techniques, structural developments, and strategies to prevent, prepare, and minimize an earthquake’s devastating effects. One important factor that should be considered in a shake table is the system dynamics due to control-structural interactions, which could either be linear or non-linear. To accurately model both has always been the challenge but becomes more plausible with the availability of faster hardware and computers and the continuous decrease in latency. Model Predictive Controller (MPC) is a type of controller extensively used in the industry that can be used on linear and non-linear systems. This study presents the design and simulation of an MPC for a uniaxial shake table intending to analyze the system’s behavior and accuracy. MATLAB Simulink was utilized to handle the simulation analysis of the controller. Different MPC parameters such as sample time, prediction horizon, control horizon, and closed-loop performance were manipulated and adjusted to observe their effects on the output of the system. A signal that mimics the actual earthquake data was inputted into the controller, and the system's behavior and outputs were measured and presented through graphical representations. To determine the accuracy of the system’s output, its relationship with the reference signal was compared. From the simulation produced, the system demonstrated high accuracy levels and could be adjusted depending on the set performance aggressiveness of the system

Science Teachers’ Instructional Experiences in Learning Flexibility Modality

This study aimed explore the lived experiences of science teachers’ instructions in the learning flexible modality in preparing instructions, teaching, and assessing students' learning in science. A descriptive phenomenological research design was employed with thirteen secondary science teachers who met the inclusion criteria using a purposive sampling technique. Colaizzi’s seven-step method was utilized to extract the codes, categories, and themes from the semi-structured interviews. Findings revealed three major themes: The Enthusiasm for Science Instructions, Teaching with the Spirit of Invictus, and Changeability and Rigorousness of Assessments. Science teachers face challenges in the learning flexible modality; however, their dedication and resourcefulness in teaching are the main reasons for staying on track in education. They have learned to promote inter-collegial intellectual discussions, allowing them to fill in their teaching gaps and seek improvement areas. In this study, science teachers passionately teach to support the needs of the students and cleverly update themselves with their science instructions in the flexible teaching modality. Although science teachers were able to adapt to the present changes, it is highly suggested that an avenue be provided for them to voice their concerns and make them feel that support is there from the educational sector.</p

Filipinosenior high school teachers’ continuing professional development attitudes: Exploring the roles of perceived demand amid a national education reform

The professional development of teachers is an important component of quality standards for any educational system, as teachers’ engagement in continuing professional development (CPD) activities are related with aspects of professional commitment and satisfaction. In this study, we explore how perceived demands of a national educational reform in the Philippines are associatedwithdifferent indicators of senior high school teachers’ professional development.A survey of 289teachers recruited to teach senior high school for the first time in the Philippines indicated that perceived demand was not associated with CPD participation intentions,but thatperceived demand related to job requirement and to career planning had different associations with attitudes towards CPD. These different associations can be viewed as adaptive responding to the uncertainties in their changing work environment. The implications for conceptualizing the context of teachers’ professional development, and the external factors that strengthen or weaken teachers’ positive attitudes towards CPD are discussed

Travel and Tour Preferences of Millenials

The study was conducted to determine the travel and tour preferences of millennials in Batangas State University Malvar Campus. Specifically, the study described the profile of the respondents in terms of sex, age, educational attainment, and occupation; determined the millennials’ travel and tour preferences in terms of service, accommodation, and promotion; and tested if there was a significant relationship on the travel and tour preferences when the respondents were grouped according to their profile through descriptive research method. The respondents were millennials, employees and students at Batangas State University Malvar Campus. The results reveal that majority of the respondent millennials are in age of 18-23 years old; majority are females, majority are high school graduates; and most of them are students. With regard the assessment of respondents’ service, accommodation, and promotion, the study also reveals that the millennial respondents are psychocentric type of travelers. The information material guide as output can be used by the travel and tour agencies, in a form of brochure, leaflet, and flyers that covers the millennial travelers’ preferences

Sociolinguistic Competence of Filipino Hotelier and Restaurateur Interns

Concern over the pressing problem on communication skill is evident among the Filipino Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) students and graduates as revealed in observations and several studies. The condition posed challenges to both teachers and students as it was commonly observed by the language teachers and the researchers themselves. Hence, the importance of this qualitative research, which, by using a semi-structured interview, was conducted with the primary objective of determining the level of sociolinguistic competence of HRM interns relative to register and dialect, cultural reference, and metaphorical language. Twenty-five participants were purposively chosen based on the following considerations: the availability and flexibility of schedule; ability to communicate in English; had undergone on-the-job training for the last two semesters. The researchers considered the respondents’ work experience, work assignment and type of establishment as baseline data of the study. In determining the participants’ sociolinguistic competence, the researchers used the semi-constructed interview questions which were validated by language experts. The frequency and percentage were used to determine the respondents’ profile and standard rubrics for their responses. Cohen’s Kappa Interpretation was also used to determine the level of sociolinguistic competence. The study revealed that majority of the respondents worked as a housekeeper, assigned at the back of the house, and worked in the hotels. It also disclosed that trainees were found to be in Beginning Level with regard to their level of sociolinguistic competence. Interpersonal communication intervention may be proposed to Hotel and Restaurant Management department for implementation to improve students’ sociolinguistic competence

Design Optimization of DR3AM Vapor Polishing Device for ABS 3D-Printed Parts

3D printing is an additive manufacturing method that turns digital design into an actual product. A 3D-printed part sometimes requires post-processing to enhance its physical and mechanical properties. Acetone vapor polishing is one of those techniques which is highly beneficial in smoothing ABS 3D-printed parts. Previously, an acetone vapor polishing device has been developed which uses a mist maker. However, for a more efficient polishing method, an optimized vapor polishing device using heat has been fabricated in this study. To assess the efficiency of this device, the researchers test the dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, tensile strength, and impact strength of polished and unpolished ABS 3D-printed specimens. The findings showed that the surface smoothness of the polished cube specimens did not significantly alter its physical geometry. The tensile test reveals that the overall elasticity of the polished tensile specimen has increased significantly while the impact test also shows that the polished specimens have the capacity to sustain a resistive impact from a swinging pendulum. Thus, all testing procedures indicated that post-processing using the optimized vapor polishing device has improved the overall physical and mechanical properties of the polished specimens

First narrow-band search for continuous gravitational waves from known pulsars in advanced detector data

Spinning neutron stars asymmetric with respect to their rotation axis are potential sources of continuous gravitational waves for ground-based interferometric detectors. In the case of known pulsars a fully coherent search, based on matched filtering, which uses the position and rotational parameters obtained from electromagnetic observations, can be carried out. Matched filtering maximizes the signalto- noise (SNR) ratio, but a large sensitivity loss is expected in case of even a very small mismatch between the assumed and the true signal parameters. For this reason, narrow-band analysis methods have been developed, allowing a fully coherent search for gravitational waves from known pulsars over a fraction of a hertz and several spin-down values. In this paper we describe a narrow-band search of 11 pulsars using data from Advanced LIGO’s first observing run. Although we have found several initial outliers, further studies show no significant evidence for the presence of a gravitational wave signal. Finally, we have placed upper limits on the signal strain amplitude lower than the spin-down limit for 5 of the 11 targets over the bands searched; in the case of J1813-1749 the spin-down limit has been beaten for the first time. For an additional 3 targets, the median upper limit across the search bands is below the spin-down limit. This is the most sensitive narrow-band search for continuous gravitational waves carried out so far