Implementation of the New Control Methods in Simplification of a Multidimensional Control and Optimization of a Control System Parameters.

The main purpose of this text is to present application of the Largest Lyapunov Exponent (LLE) as a criterion for optimization of the new type of simple controller parameters. Investigated controller is the part of numerically simulated control system. The calculation of LLE was done with a new method [2]. Introduction contains reference to previous publications on inverted pendulum control and Lyapunov stability. Application of the new simple formula for LLE estimation in control systems is discussed. In the next part simulated dynamical system is described and new type of simple controller allowing to control multidimensional system is introduced. In the last part results of the simulation are shown along with conclusions to whole dynamics analysis. Comparison of the proposed regulator with the linearquadratic regulator (LQR) was verified and its better effectiveness with respect to LQR was proved

The Sexual Identity Development of Gay Men in China

Limited research describes the impact of ethnic groups and mores, especially those of Asian ethnicities, on the development of a global queering theory of sexual-identity development. The purpose of this grounded-theory study was to investigate the sexual-identity development of homosexuals in a non-Western collectivist culture and the extent of influence Western gay expatriates have on Chinese gay males\u27 sexual-identity development. Five identity-development models served as the theoretical foundations of this study: Cass, Troiden, McCarn and Fassinger, D\u27Augelli, Gock, and the conceptual theory of global queering. NVivo aided in data organization, while coding and analysis were applied to the data. Individual, Skype interviews were held with 22 Chinese gay men. Participants explained how Western influence changed and was adapted to cultural norms even when no similarities emerged in the combining cultures. This research increases understanding of collectivist cultures and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities embedded in them. Understanding can create positive social change affecting the coming-out process, cultural diffusion, and same-sex couples in collectivist cultures. This study may spur a call for additional research into LGBT communities globally on sexual-identity development, particularly in relation to race and culture

MULTI AGENT-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL LANDSCAPE (MABEL) - AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SIMULATION MODEL: SOME EARLY ASSESSMENTS

The Multi Agent-Based Environmental Landscape model (MABEL) introduces a Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI) systemic methodology, to simulate land use and transformation changes over time and space. Computational agents represent abstract relations among geographic, environmental, human and socio-economic variables, with respect to land transformation pattern changes. A multi-agent environment is developed providing task-nonspecific problem-solving abilities, flexibility on achieving goals and representing existing relations observed in real-world scenarios, and goal-based efficiency. Intelligent MABEL agents acquire spatial expressions and perform specific tasks demonstrating autonomy, environmental interactions, communication and cooperation, reactivity and proactivity, reasoning and learning capabilities. Their decisions maximize both task-specific marginal utility for their actions and joint, weighted marginal utility for their time-stepping. Agent behavior is achieved by personalizing a dynamic utility-based knowledge base through sequential GIS filtering, probability-distributed weighting, joint probability Bayesian correlational weighting, and goal-based distributional properties, applied to socio-economic and behavioral criteria. First-order logics, heuristics and appropriation of time-step sequences employed, provide a simulation-able environment, capable of re-generating space-time evolution of the agents.Environmental Economics and Policy,

Relative Age in Kindergarten: From the Perspective of Teachers

Relative age effects are the outcomes that are manifested when older and younger students are compared in an environment such as a classroom. Research has shown that older students have higher student achievement than younger students (Datar, 2006; Lin et al., 2009; Oshima & Domaleski, 2006; Yesil-Dagli, 2006). This case study grouped students by their birthdays to form kindergarten classes where the average range of ages were within a four month span. Focus groups were used to determine the effects of this practice from the teachers’ perspectives. Some teachers thought that grouping kindergarteners by birthday improved teacher-student relationships, allowed for better student instruction and reduced negative student behaviors. However, other teachers felt burdened by groups of the youngest students and lamented not having older students to teach and model for their younger peers. The teachers in this study thought that the youngest students in a cohort were less prepared for school and required more of their time and instruction than the oldest students

Localized spontaneous fluctuations of electric potential in shoots of differentplants

Sharp short-lasting voltage nuctuation is one of the components of plant electric activity. Common appearance of such fast signals (FS) in the stems of severa) species has been found. Obscrved spatial distribution of its amplitude excludes the possibilit} of an artefact. deriving from the electrode surface --- plant tissue interaction. The hypothesis that FS are due to action potentia) of a single cell or a small group of cells observed in a volume conductor is considered

Coupling Scientific and Humanistic Approaches to Address Wicked Environmental Problems of the Twenty-first Century: Collaborating in an Acoustic Community Nexus

Addressing serious environmental challenges, or wicked problems, locally and globally, we argue here that working collaboratively as scientist and humanist we are in a strategic position to help address biodiversity crises. We outline synergies that combine the strengths, tools, and fresh perspectives of soundscape ecology and sound studies in ethnomusicology. Our unique collaboration places sound at the core of our process but utilizes a community acoustics lens to bring both the sounds of nature and those of people together to couple our epistemologies, methodologies, and deep commitment to addressing the ecological needs today.Pour aborder les graves défis, ou sévères problèmes, environnementaux, aux niveaux local et global, nous avançons ici qu’en travaillant en collaboration en tant que scientifique et humaniste, nous nous plaçons en position stratégique pour contribuer à répondre aux crises de la biodiversité. Nous soulignons les synergies qui associent les forces, les outils et les nouvelles perspectives sur l’écologie des paysages sonores et les études sur le son en ethnomusicologie. Notre collaboration unique place le son au coeur du processus, mais a recours au prisme de la communauté acoustique pour rassembler tant les sons de la nature que ceux produits par les gens ensemble pour apparier nos épistémologies, nos méthodologies et notre profond engagement pour répondre aux besoins écologiques d’aujourd’hui

An oscillatory component of propagated fluctuation electric potential in lupine shoot

Application of a drop of auxin solution to a cut surface on the petiole in lupine shoot elicits a travelling pulse of electric potentia) decrease. This pulse was simulta­neously recorded by means of a DC amplifier and band-pass amplifier 0.1-100 Hz, both connccted to the same exploring AgCI electrode driven into the stem. The DC record shows a pulse 20-80 mV in height of about 30 s duration at its height with smooth slopes. The band-pass amplifier shows one to a few pairs of spikes (negative and positive) whose amplitude is at least of an order lower than that of the DC pulse. Thcse spikcs are interpretcd as the action potentia) of certain excitable cclls rccorded in a --volume conductor"·. The pulse is interpreted as a wave of cooperative depolarization of excitable and a mass of inexcitable cells

Soundscape Conservation in U.S. National Parks: Implications for Adjacent Land Use Planning

Humans have altered the Earth’s ecosystems and biodiversity significantly. With the conversion of land and the loss of biodiversity, the world loses its natural sounds. The loss of natural sounds is compounded by the growing intrusions of motorized noise. Noise pollution is a ubiquitous problem in cities around the world, but the issue is spreading to more remote areas due to expanding transportation networks, motorized recreation and urban sprawl. The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) recognizes park soundscapes, or entire acoustic environment of a given area, as resources just as air and water are resources. However, national park resources are only provided protection within a legally defined boundary separating it from surrounding land uses. To better understand the acoustic resources and noise issues in parks, the U.S. NPS Natural Sounds Program sent a survey to each of the park units (n=391) in 2009. There were 149 respondents representing 141 different park units. We analyzed the data using qualitative theme identification and quantitative analyses. The primary noise impacts for parks were from motorized noise sources (n=97), and specifically road noise was reported by 36 respondents. Adjacent land uses were identified as causing specific impacts by 15 respondents. We demonstrate how Geographic Information Systems can be used to quantify the noise impacts from surrounding development mentioned by park respondents. We buffered urban land use of responding park units using ArcGIS. The total urban area of each park unit was compared to survey results to determine if urban area correlated to parks conducting noise mitigation measures. Respondents (n=14) mentioned adjacent land use planning as a measure that they were using to mitigate noise impacts. The research findings from this study will help guide future soundscape conservation efforts by NPS