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A new distance learning national framework for social work continuing education: critical reflections on the first phases of implementation
Get PDFThis article utilizes a range of secondary research methodologies to explore the challenges and opportunities that have arisen from the establishment and first years of delivery of a new single and predominantly distant learning national post-qualifying framework. The continuing professional education and learning (CPEL) framework is directly commissioned by the professional regulator Social Care Wales, provided by an alliance of four universities (Bangor, Cardiff, Glyndwr and Swansea) and actively involves employers, practitioners and service users in their development. Critical reflections on the early implementation of the Experienced, Senior and Consultant Programs that contribute to the CPEL framework will help understand the key characteristics, challenges and opportunities post-qualifying education for social workers can bring. The article commences with an analysis of the moves to design a national post-qualification framework that is more accessible, flexible and responsive than the previous patchwork quilt set-up, including an examination of the increased role of distance learning and the teaching methodologies that support it. It then critically summarizes the specific context and developments of the CPEL framework. This is followed by substantive analyses of the key messages. These messages are of the value of; provider collaboration, quality of e-learning experience, employer commitment and student-perceived competence/satisfaction
Low-cost photovoltaic emulator for instructional laboratories
Get PDFThis paper discusses a simple and cheap PV emulator based on a linear power supply that does not require a source of light to conduct laboratory experiments. The emulator has been designed to underpin students' understanding the properties of PV cell V-I characteristics and the ways to maximise the output power learned from lectures, tutorial and self-studies. The emulator has been built using “on the shelf” components and tested under rated power conditions. It demonstrated a good emulation of V-I characteristics within the rated range of the sun irradiation and the temperature
A Simple Approach to Dynamic Optimisation of Flexible Optical Networks with Practical Application
Get PDFThis paper provides an initial introduction to, and definition of, the ‘Dynamically Powered Relays for a Flexible Optical Network’ (DPR-FON) problem for opto-electro-optical (OEO) regenerators used in optical networks. In such networks, optical transmission parameters can be varied dynamically as traffic patterns change. This will provide different bandwidths, but also change the regeneration limits as a result. To support this flexibility, OEOs (‘relays’) may be switched on and off as required, thus saving power. DPR-FON is shown to be NP-complete; consequently, solving such a dynamic problem in real-time requires a fast heuristic capable of delivering an acceptable approximation to the optimal configuration with low complexity. In this paper, just such an algorithm is developed, implemented, and evaluated against more computationally-demanding alternatives for two known cases. A number of real-world extensions are considered as the paper develops, combining to produce the ‘Generalised Dynamically Powered Relays for a Flexible Optical Network’ (GDPR-FON) problem. This, too, is analysed and an associated fast heuristic proposed, along with an exploration of the further research that is required
Analysis of Insulated-Metal-Substrates Structures in the Context of Heat Dissipation Enhancement
Get PDFThis paper discusses analysis of an insulated-metal-substrates structure of a printed circuit board in terms of the temperature management of p-n junction of LEDs mounted on the structure's surface. The structure material and surface area are used for the heat transfer between the junction and the ambient surroundings. The heat dissipation has been simulated for conductor layer thicknesses in the range from 50μm to 200μm and the dielectric layer thicknesses from 50μm to 150μm. The thermal simulation has been conducted for two base layer materials - aluminum and copper having the same thickness of 920μm. The results of the simulation provide optimum thickness of the structure materials and their thermal conductivity to ensure most efficient heat dissipation
Efficient Global Optimization of Actuator Based on A Surrogate Model Assisted Hybrid Algorithm
Get PDFComputationally expensive numerical techniques are often involved in the actuator design optimization process, where efficiency is a major issue. Although surrogate-based optimization is a promising solution, the challenge to the optimization efficiency is still considerable. Aiming to address this challenge, a new method, called the parallel adjoint sensitivity and Gaussian process assisted hybrid optimization technique (PAGHO), is presented. The central concept is a new optimization framework employing computationally cheap partial derivatives obtained by the adjoint sensitivity method to tackle computationally expensive infill sampling for surrogate-based optimization. A silicon microactuator and a mathematical benchmark problem with different kinds of challenges are selected as the test cases. Comparison results show that PAGHO can obtain comparable results with popular global optimization methods, while at the same time having significant advantages in efficiency compared to standard global optimization methods and state-of-the-art surrogate-based optimization methods
Proletarsky, A.V., Konstantin, A., Neusypin, K.S., Selezneva, M.S., and Grout, V. (2017) 'Development and Analysis of the Numerical Criterion for the Degree of Observability of State Variables in Nonlinear Systems'. In: Proc. 7th IEEE Int. Conference on Internet Technologies and Applications ITA-17, Wrexham, UK, 12-15 September 2017, pp. 150-154. doi: 10.1109/ITECHA.2017.8101927.
Get PDFThis paper is concerned with the problem of development and analysis of numerical criteria for the degree of observability in nonlinear systems. The disadvantages of existing criteria of observability and controllability were introduced. A numerical criterion for the degree of observability of each state variable was developed in nonlinear systems by utilizing the representation of nonlinear models in the State Dependent Coefficient form. The application of the novel criterion was demonstrated for the analysis of the degree of observability of inertial navigation system errors by the simulation with experimental data
On the Question of Decomposition of Multi-Timescale Systems Dynamic Model
Get PDFThe problem of decomposition of a multi-timescale systems dynamic model is considered in this paper. The specific feature of these systems is the simultaneous presence of processes with essentially different speeds of free components of motions. The description model is represented by a singularly perturbed system of differential equations. The conditions are examined that allow reduction of the order of the system model: the checking of these conditions causes the greatest difficulty in practice. Research results are given as an iterative procedure requiring no special knowledge of singularly perturbed systems of differential equations
Algorithmic analysis and hardware implementation of a two-wire-interface communication analyser
Get PDFThis paper discusses the development of an algorithm for the data analysis to monitor Two-Wire-Interface operation in order to improve the reliability of communication. This algorithm is designed to improve code-efficiency with regards to hardware modelling. An algorithm for the protocol used in the Standard-Mode, Fast-Mode, Fast-Mode Plus and High-Speed-Mode was developed. The proposed algorithm has been derived using the bus protocol specification and implemented in hardware via a hardware description language. The correct operation of the algorithm was proofed by applying the hardware system on a sample communication. The paper also describes the development process of embedded systems and provides information on aspects regarding hardware modelling including a mathematical description of the TWI protocol is provided
More cowbell: Measuring Beat Consistency with respect to Tempo and Metronome Variations
Get PDFThis paper investigates the relationship between a participants' ability to maintain consistent distance between taps or strikes (Inter-Onset Interval, or IOI), when provided with varying metronome conditions and tempos. This ability, alongside traditional isochronous sequence production, represents two qualities that can be measured to express a musicians' capacity to keep time accurately.
The experiments asked participants to play along with a metronome. The timings of these taps were recorded and analysed to observe consistency and establish any effect metronome and tempo have.
The results of the experiments suggest that when the metronome is continuous, its type (Cross-Rhythmic or Mono-Rhythmic) has no significant effect on IOI. This is also true of tempo. When the metronome is removed for a number of beats, however, the results suggest this does have a significant effect on IOI consistency, and that this also has a significant relationship to tempo.
The results of this study suggest that a participants' ability to maintain a consistent IOI may not be influenced as strongly by metronomic audio information as their ability to reproduce an isochronous sequence in-phase with a metronome. This suggests that consistent IOIs and traditional, in-phase timekeeping are not as closely linked as could be expected
A review of composite product data interoperability and product life-cycle management challenges in the composites industry
Get PDFA review of composite product data interoperability and product life-cycle management challenges is presented, which addresses “Product Life-cycle Management”, developments in materials. The urgent need for this is illustrated by the life-cycle management issues faced in modern military aircraft, where in-service failure of composite parts is a problem, not just in terms of engineering understanding, but also in terms of the process for managing and maintaining the fleet. A demonstration of the use of ISO 10303-235 for a range of through-life composite product data is reported. The standardization of the digital representation of data can help businesses to automate data processing. With the development of new materials, the requirements for data information models for materials properties are evolving, and standardization drives transparency, improves the efficiency of data analysis, and enhances data accuracy. Current developments in Information Technology, such as big data analytics methodologies, have the potential to be highly transformative