Knowledge Transfer Between Robots with Similar Dynamics for High-Accuracy Impromptu Trajectory Tracking

In this paper, we propose an online learning approach that enables the inverse dynamics model learned for a source robot to be transferred to a target robot (e.g., from one quadrotor to another quadrotor with different mass or aerodynamic properties). The goal is to leverage knowledge from the source robot such that the target robot achieves high-accuracy trajectory tracking on arbitrary trajectories from the first attempt with minimal data recollection and training. Most existing approaches for multi-robot knowledge transfer are based on post-analysis of datasets collected from both robots. In this work, we study the feasibility of impromptu transfer of models across robots by learning an error prediction module online. In particular, we analytically derive the form of the mapping to be learned by the online module for exact tracking, propose an approach for characterizing similarity between robots, and use these results to analyze the stability of the overall system. The proposed approach is illustrated in simulation and verified experimentally on two different quadrotors performing impromptu trajectory tracking tasks, where the quadrotors are required to accurately track arbitrary hand-drawn trajectories from the first attempt.Comment: European Control Conference (ECC) 201

Consumers' Perception of Sustainably Produced Food: The case of local and organic production technologies

This paper identifies ways to improve on the current literature regarding sustainable production technologies, in this case, organic and local products. A survey method is used to examine organic and local markets in place of a single product to gain a better understanding of consumers‟ response to these products, their reactions to price differences of these products, and how their preferences change based on changing income level and prices. The sample was drawn from a commercial database and was attempted to be made random across the U.S. population. In place of results, hypotheses are presented as data were late coming back.consumer preferences, sustainability, organic, local, willingness to value, Agribusiness, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing,

A simulation of the instrument pointing system for the Astro-1 mission

NASA has recently completed a shuttle-borne stellar ultraviolet astronomy mission known as Astro-1. A three axis instrument pointing system (IPS) was employed to accurately point the science instruments. In order to analyze the pointing control system and verify pointing performance, a simulation of the IPS was developed using the multibody dynamics software TREETOPS. The TREETOPS IPS simulation is capable of accurately modeling the multibody IPS system undergoing large angle, nonlinear motion. The simulation is documented and example cases are presented demonstrating disturbance rejection, fine pointing operations, and multiple target pointing and slewing of the IPS

ACADEMIC SELF-EFFICACY, ACADEMIC INTEGRATION, SOCIAL INTEGRATION, AND PERSISTENCE AMONG FIRST-SEMESTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER STUDENTS AT A FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the academic self-efficacy, academic integration, social integration, and persistence among community college students from a selected community college during their first semester at a four-year institution. More specifically, differences between students who participated in a first-year transfer transition program and students who did not participate in a transfer transition program were investigated. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey research design, data regarding transfer students\u27 academic self-efficacy and perceived cohesion beliefs were collected from a web-based survey. These data were analyzed along with students\u27 first semester academic performance and persistence data collected from the student records database at a four-year institution following the students\u27 first semester of enrollment. Six research questions were examined in this study using the independent samples t-test, the Mann Whitney U test and logistic regression. Logistic regression results showed that the odds of transferring all community college course credits to the four-year institution were 3.29 times higher for transfer transition program participants. Results for the other five research questions indicated that there were not significant differences in academic self-efficacy, perceived cohesion, fall semester GPR, fall semester credits earned, and fall to spring semester persistence between transfer transition program participants and nonparticipants. While this study yielded an important finding regarding how participation in the transfer transition program increased the likelihood of community college course credits transferring to the four-year institution, more research is needed on how to increase the success and persistence of transfer students at four-year institutions. Recommendations for policy and practice as well as future research regarding community college transfer students and the factors affecting their persistence at the four-year institution are also presented

Can a computer adaptive assessment system determine, better than traditional methods, whether students know mathematics skills?

Schools use commercial systems specifically for mathematics benchmarking and longitudinal assessment. However these systems are expensive and their results often fail to indicate a clear path for teachers to differentiate instruction based on students’ individual strengths and weaknesses in specific skills. ASSISTments is a web-based Intelligent Tutoring System used by educators to drive real-time, formative assessment in their classrooms. The software is used primarily by mathematics teachers to deliver homework, classwork and exams to their students. We have developed a computer adaptive test called PLACEments as an extension of ASSISTments to allow teachers to perform individual student assessment and by extension school-wide benchmarking. PLACEments uses a form of graph-based knowledge representation by which the exam results identify the specific mathematics skills that each student lacks. The system additionally provides differentiated practice determined by the students’ performance on the adaptive test. In this project, we describe the design and implementation of PLACEments as a skill assessment method and evaluate it in comparison with a fixed-item benchmark

Aligning Astronomical Telescopes via Identification of Stars

A proposed method of automated, precise alignment of a ground-based astronomical telescope would eliminate the need for initial manual alignment. The method, based on automated identification of known stars and other celestial objects in the telescope field of view, would also eliminate the need for an initial estimate of the aiming direction. The method does not require any equipment other than a digital imaging device such as a charge-coupled-device digital imaging camera and control computers of the telescope and camera, all of which are standard components in professional astronomical telescope systems and in high-end amateur astronomical telescope systems. The method could be implemented in software running in the telescope or camera control computer or in an external computer communicating with the telescope pointing mount and camera control computers

The Influence of Teaching Experience Upon School Counselors

The increased demand for more school counselors since World War II raised many questions concerning their preparation and training. One of the most controversial topics has been that of requiring teaching experience as a prerequisite for counselor certification. We find ourselves in a milieu of controversy in which some advocates are proposing that teaching experience can handicap the counselor in his effectiveness while others are saying that teaching experience is a vital prerequisite for counselor effectiveness

Baseline Knowledge Assessment of Cobb County Safe Kids Inspection Station Participants

INTRODUCTION: The leading cause of injury and death among children in the United States is motor vehicle crashes. Even though laws have been amended and public awareness campaigns and education has increased, many children are still improperly restrained or not restrained at all. When correctly used, child restraints significantly reduce risk of injury or death in a motor vehicle crash. AIM: The purpose of the questions is to exhibit the baseline knowledge of participants before receiving car seat education from certified technicians. METHODS: Over an eight week period, Safe Kids Cobb County Car Seat Technicians distributed a 16-item survey, with 10 knowledge-based questions and 6 demographic questions to Inspection Station participants. Descriptive statistics were run and t-tests were calculated to determine if participant age, ethnicity, and gender were associated with overall knowledge scores. A simple linear regression test was run to determine the association between participant education level and total car seat safety knowledge. RESULTS: One-hundred and sixty nine surveys were completed. Participant knowledge of car seat safety ranged from 0% to 90% on all ten items. No significant correlation between participant knowledge and age was found. The relationship between total knowledge and education level was found to be slightly significant. However, ethnicity and gender were found to be significantly associated with total knowledge scores. DISCUSSION: The results from this study describe baseline knowledge among a sample of participants at Safe Inspection Station activities held in Cobb County, Georgia. These results can help inform tailoring of future programming so that the impact of enhanced health education / prevention messages for intended populations can be maximized