A decision support methodology for process in the loop optimisation

Experimental optimisation with hardware-in-the-loop is a common procedure in engineering, particularly in cases where accurate modelling is not possible. A common methodology to support experimental search is to use one of the many gradient descent methods. However, even sophisticated and proven methodologies such as Simulated Annealing (SA) can be significantly challenged in the presence of significant noise. This paper introduces a decision support methodology based upon Response Surfaces (RS), which supplements experimental management based on variable neighbourhood search, and is shown to be highly effective in directing experiments in the presence of significant signal to noise (S-N) ratio and complex combinatorial functions. The methodology is developed on a 3-dimensional surface with multiple local-minima and large basin of attraction, and high S-N ratio. Finally, the method is applied to a real-life automotive experimental application

Take a Deep Breath

Email sent by Fr. Ed Stewart on his departure from SHU: Early on in the pandemic, Father Tony asked Campus Ministry and Volunteer Programs staff to come up with a way of reaching out to the wider SHU community during our dispersal. With that, the daily Take A Deep Breath reflections were born

Ecotourism and Economic Growth in the Galapagos: An Island Economy-wide Analysis

This paper raises questions about the compatibility of "ecotourism and conservation in the unique environment of the Galapagos Islands. It updates a 1999 economy-wide analysis that predicted that increases in tourism would result in rapid economic as well as demographic growth on the islands. The following six years witnessed sharp growth in tourism; a restructuring of tourism around larger cruise ships and new, larger hotels; and rapid population growth. Our findings indicate that total income (that is, the gross domestic product) of the Galapagos increased by an estimated 78% between 1999 and 2005, placing Galapagos among the fastest growing economies in the world. Tourism continues to be far and away the major driver of economic growth; however, new injections of all sorts of spending, including by government, commercial fishing, and conservation agencies, have had a multiplier effect on income in the Galapagos economy, and as a result, on population growth, via uncontrolled immigration that is theoretically prohibited by the Special Law of the Galapagos to prevent ecological harm to the islands. Further, immigration has diminished the effect of economic growth on household income, creating political pressure to find even more economic development options for Galapagos residents, including commercial fishing. The linkage between economic growth, led by tourism or any other sector, and environmental protection of the Galapagos should be taken seriously when designing and implementing economic development and conservation programs.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The origin of spring flights of Heliothis Punctigera Wallengren in South Australia

Thesis (M.Ag.Sci.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Entomology, 198

Contests of Andreia in Procopius' Gothic Wars

Much of the recent work on gender constructions in the writings of the sixth-century Byzantine writer Procopius have focused on his Secret History. Yet, the crucial role that gender constructions play in his other writings has garnered far less notice. This essay concentrates on one theatre of war, Italy, and examines how in the Gothic Wars Procopius used the field of battle as a means to comment on the role that courage and manliness played in determining the outcome of the war. The conflict, in Procopius’ telling, offered the Byzantines the opportunity not only to regain Italy, but also to test their military and manly virtues against a worthy enemy, the Goths.

Fine-scale determinants of female grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pupping site and habitat preferences at North Rona, Scotland.

The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere and throughout its range hauls out to breed terrestrially on a variety of substrates. A major breeding site in the eastern North Atlantic is the remote island of North Rona, Scotland, which is characterised by undulating grassy terrain, with limited access to the sea, punctuated by irregularly spaced fresh to brackish water pools of variable size. Previous long term research at North Rona has suggested that the distribution of breeding females is influenced by key habitat features including proximity to pools of water and to access from the sea. Using distributional information available for the North Rona colony in conjunction with a set of ecologically relevant environmental predictors within an extensive GIS database, the ecological niche of the grey seal at North Rona was modelled using Ecological Niche Factor Analysis. This was used to determine the distribution of suitable habitat at the North Rona colony and to elucidate the environmental determinants of female pupping site, and subsequent habitat, preferences over multiple years spanning 1998-2010. The environmental predictors utilised were chosen based on the conclusions of previous research. Following the delineation of basic environmental preferences, the influence of social interactions was considered within this modelling approach to further help explain the distribution of pups of various stages. Adult female grey seals show a preference for both pupping sites and subsequent habitat near to pools of water of low salinity at intermediate distances to access points to the sea, though appear to exhibit stronger preferences regarding the characteristics of their habitat than pupping site. It is concluded that these preferences are a result of a requirement for proximity to pools for thermoregulation and for drinking water to avoid a negative water balance. However, females do not typically choose sites directly next to or within pools, this is a result of a trade-off between proximity to pools and proximity to their pup, which is at greater risk when separated from its mother, or close to pools in areas of high adult density. It also appears likely that females choose sites at intermediate proximity to access points as sites directly next to access points experience greater disturbance from other seals arriving to, or leaving, the colony. The widespread availability of apparently suitable habitat suggests that the North Rona colony is not restricted in size by limited availability of suitable pupping sites; other potential drivers of the decline of the North Rona colony are therefore discussed, with recommendations for future research. A parallel analysis investigating pup habitat use showed that weaned pups, unlike neonates, appear to avoid locations near to adult female grey seals. It is concluded that this is a result of social interactions driving weaned pups into areas abandoned, or not yet colonised, by adult females, which are aggressive towards conspecifics during lactation. Overall, the ENFA has provided an excellent means to assess the terrestrial pupping site and subsequent habitat preferences of the grey seal, though alternative approaches are suggested for also assessing social influences on space use

Henri Temianka Correspondence; (white)

This collection contains material pertaining to the life, career, and activities of Henri Temianka, violin virtuoso, conductor, music teacher, and author. Materials include correspondence, concert programs and flyers, music scores, photographs, and books.https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/temianka_correspondence/3030/thumbnail.jp