Stochastic Satbility and Performance Robustness of Linear Multivariable Systems

Stochastic robustness, a simple technique used to estimate the robustness of linear, time invariant systems, is applied to a single-link robot arm control system. Concepts behind stochastic stability robustness are extended to systems with estimators and to stochastic performance robustness. Stochastic performance robustness measures based on classical design specifications are introduced, and the relationship between stochastic robustness measures and control system design parameters are discussed. The application of stochastic performance robustness, and the relationship between performance objectives and design parameters are demonstrated by means of example. The results prove stochastic robustness to be a good overall robustness analysis method that can relate robustness characteristics to control system design parameters

Screening for childhood adversity: the what and when of identifying individuals at risk for lifespan health disparities.

Existing research on childhood adversity and health risk across the lifespan lacks specificity regarding which types of exposures to assess and when. The purpose of this study was to contribute to an empirically-supported framework to guide practitioners interested in identifying youth who may be at greatest risk for a lifelong trajectory of health disparities. We also sought to identify the point in childhood at which screening for adversity exposure would capture the largest group of at risk individuals for triage to prevention and intervention services. Participants (n = 4036) collected as part of the Midlife in the United States study reported their medical status and history including physical (cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cancer) and mental health (depression, substance use problems, sleep problems). Participants indicated whether they were exposed to 7 adversities at any point in childhood and their age of exposure to 19 additional lifetime adversities before the age of 18. Parent drug abuse, dropping out or failing out of school, being fired from a job, and sexual assault during childhood exhibited the largest effect sizes on health in adulthood, which were comparable to the effects of childhood maltreatment. Childhood adversity screening in early adolescence may identify the largest proportion of youth at risk for negative health trajectories. The results of this descriptive analysis provide an empirical framework to guide screening for childhood adversity in pediatric populations. We discuss the implications of these observations in the context of prevention science and practice

Electric fences on dairy farms

During the last four or five years, a number of electric fences have been brought into use in the higher rainfall areas. These are playing a very important role in increasing production and almost without exception, improvement in output has been reported following their introduction. During 1954, ten sets were used for demonstration purposes throughout the dairying districts under the terms of the Commonwealth Dairy Extension Grant. These demonstrations have all been successful and leave little doubt as to the effectiveness of this type of grazing management

High stocking rate on kikuyu dairy pasture : progress report on grazing trials on kikuyu-sub. clover pasture at Denmark Research Station

KIKUYU is one of the most valuable pasture plants on dairy farms in the South-West of Western Australia. It combines well with subterranean clover and ryegrass if heavily stocked, and pastures managed in this way can be cut for legume-grass hay in the spring. However, relatively little is known of its carrying capacity or potential for production under grazing

Kikuyu (Pennisetum Clandestinum)

Many dairy farms in the South-West of this State have a small patch of kikuyu grass. It grows in the vicinity of the milking shed and is used to prevent erosion due to the heavy trampling of stock. Under these conditions, it forms a firm, close sod providing a green bite, but not very much bulk

Broom millet

Revised from Leaflet No. 799 by H. G. Elliott The straws in the straw-broom found in the average Western Australian household are the seed stalks of the broom millet plant. Supplies of broom for the manufacture of household brooms and brushes are purchased from growers in the Eastern States of Australia, particularly from Victoria, but from time to time supplies are scarce. The value of this crop is dependent on the price of broom and in periods of scarcity high prices are paid. It can be grown on summer moist soils in Western Australia and with high prices, can provide remunerative returns per acre

Oats and vetches demonstrations.

Cropping of oats is a common practice in the higher rainfall areas of the Southwest and is frequently used during the process of ploughing up run-out pastures prior to reseeding. Combinations of vetches with the oats for this purpose have received more attention in recent years and this practice has been widely demonstrated during the last five or six years with excellent results

Seed and pasture rates for new dairy pastures

THE success or failure of pasture establishment on new land often depends on the interaction of rate of seeding and rate of superphosphate application. Every year large areas of virgin land are cleared and sown to pasture in the higher rainfall areas, and all-too often the new pasture is not as successful as it should be because too little super is applied, and, in some cases, too little seed

Healthy pastures

IN sweeping away forests to make room for pastures we have taken on the responsibility of maintaining these areas in a condition suitable for the growth of pasture plants. This is done by a choice of suitable species, fertilising, cultivating, drainage, control of grazing and by weed and insect control

Good results with red clover at Denmark Research Station

Most dairyfarmers are familiar with red clover under the name of Giant Colonial cow-grass, but only a few know that many strains of this valuable pasture and hay legume occur. One of the most promising of these strains is Montgomery red clover which is recognised as a grazing strain in England and New Zealand