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Controllability
Kinds of Controllability Selected AbstractsCONTROLLABILITY OF A CLASS OF SINGULAR SYSTEMSASIAN JOURNAL OF CONTROL, Issue 4 2006Guangming Xie ABSTRACT In this paper, several different concepts of controllability are investigated for a class of linear singular systems which system parameters are piecewise constant. Necessary and sufficient geometric criteria for C-controllability and R-controllability of such systems are established, respectively. These conditions can be easily transformed into algebraic form. By applying the principle of duality, C-observability is discussed as well. Furthermore, the intrinsic relationship between these results and existing results are also discussed. Then, a novel necessary, and sufficient criterion for C-controllability of linear time-invariant singular systems is derived as a byproduct. [source] The Effect of Weight Loss on Perceptions of Weight Controllability: Implications for Prejudice Against Overweight PeopleJOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002Bruce E. Blaine The influence of weight and recent weight loss on perceptions of weight controllability and prejudice against overweight people was investigated. Participants (N= 64) examined bogus health, diet, and fitness information about a female target. The target's weight (121 vs. 161 lb, or 55 vs. 73 kg) and recent weight loss (0 vs. 40 lb, or 0 vs. 18 kg) were manipulated. Perceptions of the controllability of weight, trait ratings of the target, and dislike of overweight people were measured. The results showed that weight loss increases perceptions of the controllability of weight equally in normal and overweight targets. Moreover, overweight targets were disliked more and judged more unattractive than were targets with more healthy weights, and this was particularly true for overweight targets who had recently lost weight. The implications of the results for prejudice against overweight people and the stigma of obesity are discussed. [source] Attributions of HIV Onset Controllability, Emotional Reactions, and Helping Intentions: Implicit Effects of Victim Sexual Orientation,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 7 2007Jason D. Seacat A vignette methodology was used to investigate the effects of systematically manipulating HIV onset controllability and victim sexual orientation on (a) participant attributions about a victim (i.e., perceptions of victim control, responsibility, and blame); (b) participant emotional reactions (anger and sympathy) toward a victim; and (c) participant helping intentions toward a victim. Weiner's (1980a, 1980b, 1995) attributional helping model was tested to determine whether participant anger and sympathy mediated the onset controllability/helping intentions relationship. A total of 399 undergraduate psychology students completed the survey. Statistically significant effects were found for HIV onset controllability and victim sexual orientation on participant attributions, emotional reactions, and helping intentions. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are addressed. [source] Simultaneous Controllability of PSD and MWD in Emulsion PolymerisationMACROMOLECULAR REACTION ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2008Stephen J. Sweetman Abstract A sensitivity study of particle size distribution (PSD) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) responses to perturbations in initiator, surfactant, monomer and chain transfer agent in a semi-batch emulsion polymerisation is presented. The objective is to provide a systematic study on the ability to simultaneously control both PSD and MWD, towards inferential control of end-use product properties. This would lead towards identification of the practical feasible regions of operability. All inputs appeared to have an intrinsic and simultaneous influence on end-time PSD and MWD. Trends shown in experimental results have been explained in a mechanistic sense and also compared to simulation results from a combined PSD/MWD population balance model. The preliminary comparison between experiment and simulation highlights areas to be focussed on with respect to model improvement. [source] Volume fraction based miscible and immiscible fluid animationCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 3-4 2010Kai Bao Abstract We propose a volume fraction based approach to effectively simulate the miscible and immiscible flows simultaneously. In this method, a volume fraction is introduced for each fluid component and the mutual interactions between different fluids are simulated by tracking the evolution of the volume fractions. Different techniques are employed to handle the miscible and immiscible interactions and special treatments are introduced to handle flows involving multiple fluids and different kinds of interactions at the same time. With this method, second-order accuracy is preserved in both space and time. The experiment results show that the proposed method can well handle both immiscible and miscible interactions between fluids and much richer mixing detail can be generated. Also, the method shows good controllability. Different mixing effects can be obtained by adjusting the dynamic viscosities and diffusion coefficients. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Direct-power-control-based matrix converter and its operation characteristicsELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN JAPAN, Issue 2 2010Toshihiko Noguchi Abstract This paper proposes a novel control strategy for a matrix converter, which features direct instantaneous active- and reactive-power control of the converter. The theoretical aspects of the proposed control are discussed, and computer simulation results are presented to confirm the basic controllability of the technique. In addition, several operational characteristics were examined through experimental tests, using a 1.5-kW prototype. The maximum efficiency and the total input power factor of the prototype with a 30-Hz output frequency were 95.4% and 99.9% at 1.5-kW load, respectively. The total harmonic distortion at the rated load was 5.9%. These results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed strategy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 170(2): 53,59, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20886 [source] Effect of deposition temperature on the properties of thin polymer films deposited by plasma-enhanced CVD using cyclo-hexa-hydrocarbons as monomersELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS IN JAPAN, Issue 4 2010Kazunori Moriki Abstract Plasma CVD is a candidate technology for the fabrication of optical polymer waveguides. It can deposit a film on any surface geometry and any substrate material at a temperature under 200 °C in a vacuum process. It also provides good thickness controllability and uniformity of the deposition film. In the present study, the effects of the deposition temperature on film properties, specifically the refractive index, deposition rate, and molecular structure, are discussed. The refractive index decreases as the deposition temperature rises. The logarithm of the deposition rate increases with the reciprocal of the temperature and the gradient of the deposition rate depends on the relative abundance of double bonds in the monomer source. The gradient does not change when CF4 is used instead of Ar as the gas mixed into the plasma, although the deposition rate increases by a factor of about five. We speculate that the deposition rate increases due to the increase in the abundance precursors produced by the presence of CF4 in the plasma and due to an increased abundance of dangling bonds on the surface of the deposition film caused by F radicals. We further speculate that the precursors incorporated into the polymer are selected on the substrate by the density of adsorption sites and the adsorption energy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(4): 27,35, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10171 [source] Employers' Attitudes to Employment of People with Epilepsy: Still the Same Old Story?EPILEPSIA, Issue 12 2005Ann Jacoby Summary:,Purpose: One area of life quality known to be compromised by having epilepsy is employment, and one factor contributing to the employment problems of people with epilepsy (PWE) is employer attitudes. Much research on this topic is now outdated and given the changing legal, medical, and social contexts in which PWE live, we therefore reexamined employer attitudes in the united Kingdom. Method: A mail survey of a random sample of U.K. companies selected to be representative of the 14 U.K. economic regions and proportional to the number of employees. Findings: The overall response rate was 41% (n = 204). Twenty-six percent of respondents reported having experience of employing PWE. Sixteen percent considered that there were no jobs in their company suitable for PWE; 21% thought employing PWE would be "a major issue." Employers were uniformly of the view that PWE, even when in remission, should disclose their condition to a prospective employer. Seizure severity, frequency, and controllability were all considered important features of epilepsy in the context of employment. Epilepsy created high concern to around half of employers, including the likelihood of it being linked to a work-related accident. Employers were willing to make accommodations for PWE, in particular job sharing, temporary reassignment of duties, and flexible working hours. Attitudes to employment of PWE were influenced by company size and type and previous experience of doing so. Conclusions: We conclude that it is still the same old story for employers' attitudes toward PWE, though happily for PWE, with some room for optimism. [source] Illness perceptions and quality of life amongst women with pseudotumor cerebriEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 8 2009A. Kesler Background and purpose:, Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a disorder of increased intracranial pressure without evidence of a space occupying lesion. The purpose of this study was to assess the subjective perception of PTC and its association with stress, anxiety and global quality of life (QOL). Methods:, Fifty-eight women diagnosed with PTC completed questionnaires measuring their subjective appraisal of PTC and specific perceptions of the symptoms, causes, consequences, timeline, controllability and their anxiety, perceived stress, and QOL. Results:, Appraisals of the condition were mostly of loss or threat and those were related to greater anxiety, stress and poorer QOL. Negative perceptions of PTC were related to greater anxiety, stress and poorer QOL. Most of the women attributed their condition to their weight, but adjustment for body mass index ruled out weight as accounting for the findings. Women attributed to the condition symptoms likely to be related to PTC as well as others that seem unrelated. Conclusions:, Our findings underscore the importance of assessing women's subjective perceptions of their condition as a factor related to their levels of anxiety and stress as well as to their QOL. Accurate symptom diagnosis and treatment as well as psychosocial support could assist women who are coping with the burden of this condition and possibly improve their QOL. [source] Dissociable neural activity to self- vs. externally administered thermal hyperalgesia: a parametric fMRI studyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2008C. Mohr Abstract Little is known regarding how cognitive strategies help to modulate neural responses of the human brain in ongoing pain syndromes to alleviate pain. Under pathological pain conditions, any self-elicited contact with usually non-painful stimuli may become painful. We examined whether the human brain is capable of dissociating self-controlled from externally administered thermal hyperalgesia in the experimental capsaicin model. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, 17 male subjects were investigated in a parametric design with heat stimuli at topically capsaicin-sensitized skin. In contrast to external stimulation, self-administered pain was controllable. For both conditions application trials without noticeable thermal stimulation were introduced and used as high-level baseline (HLB) to account for the capsaicin-induced ongoing pain and other covariables. Following subtraction of the HLB, the anterior insula and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) but not the somatosensory cortices maintained parametric neural responses to thermal hyperalgesia. A stronger pain-related activity increase during self-administered stimuli was observed in the posterior insula. In contrast, prefrontal cortex showed stronger increases to uncontrollable external heat stimuli. In the state of ongoing pain (capsaicin), pain-intensity-encoding regions (anterior insula, ACC) but not those with sensory discriminative functions (SI, SII) showed graded, pain-intensity-related neural responses in thermal hyperalgesia. Some areas were able to dissociate between self- and externally administered stimuli in thermal hyperalgesia, which might be related to differences in perceived controllability. Thus, neural mechanisms maintain the ability to dissociate external from self-generated states of injury in thermal hyperalgesia. This may help to understand how cognitive strategies potentially alleviate chronic pain syndromes. [source] Surface Nanometer-Scale Patterning in Realizing Large-Scale Ordered Arrays of Metallic Nanoshells with Well-Defined Structures and Controllable PropertiesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 15 2010Shikuan Yang Abstract Surface patterns of nanoshell arrays play an important role in diverse applications including surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, and optical devices. This paper describes an innovative surface nanopatterning technique for realizing large-scale ordered arrays of metallic spherical nanoshells with well-defined structures. Ag nanoshell arrays are prepared using polystyrene sphere templates by an electrophoretic process in Ag colloidal solutions. The fabricated Ag nanoshell arrays have a high controllability of the structural parameters, including the diameter, the surface roughness, and the intershell spacing, giving rise to the tunable properties of nanoshell arrays. As an example, tunable SERS and localized surface plasmon resonance of the nanoshell arrays are demonstrated by controlling the structural parameters. The surface nanopatterning technique shown in this paper is a general fabrication process in achieving not only metallic nanoshell arrays, but also nanoshell arrays of semiconductors and metallic oxides. [source] Blue Luminescence of ZnO Nanoparticles Based on Non-Equilibrium Processes: Defect Origins and Emission ControlsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2010Haibo Zeng Abstract High concentrations of defects are introduced into nanoscale ZnO through non-equilibrium processes and resultant blue emissions are comprehensively analyzed, focusing on defect origins and broad controls. Some ZnO nanoparticles exhibit very strong blue emissions, the intensity of which first increase and then decrease with annealing. These visible emissions exhibit strong and interesting excitation dependences: 1) the optimal excitation energy for blue emissions is near the bandgap energy, but the effective excitation can obviously be lower, even 420,nm (2.95,eV,<,Eg,=,3.26,eV); in contrast, green emissions can be excited only by energies larger than the bandgap energy; and, 2) there are several fixed emitting wavelengths at 415, 440, 455 and 488,nm in the blue wave band, which exhibit considerable stability in different excitation and annealing conditions. Mechanisms for blue emissions from ZnO are proposed with interstitial-zinc-related defect levels as initial states. EPR spectra reveal the predominance of interstitial zinc in as-prepared samples, and the evolutions of coexisting interstitial zinc and oxygen vacancies with annealing. Furthermore, good controllability of visible emissions is achieved, including the co-emission of blue and green emissions and peak adjustment from blue to yellow. [source] Lie Theory for Quantum ControlGAMM - MITTEILUNGEN, Issue 1 2008G. Dirr Abstract One of the main theoretical challenges in quantum computing is the design of explicit schemes that enable one to effectively factorize a given final unitary operator into a product of basic unitary operators. As this is equivalent to a constructive controllability task on a Lie group of special unitary operators, one faces interesting classes of bilinear optimal control problems for which efficient numerical solution algorithms are sought for. In this paper we give a review on recent Lie-theoretical developments in finite-dimensional quantum control that play a key role for solving such factorization problems on a compact Lie group. After a brief introduction to basic terms and concepts from quantum mechanics, we address the fundamental control theoretic issues for bilinear control systems and survey standard techniques fromLie theory relevant for quantum control. Questions of controllability, accessibility and time optimal control of spin systems are in the center of our interest. Some remarks on computational aspects are included as well. The idea is to enable the potential reader to understand the problems in clear mathematical terms, to assess the current state of the art and get an overview on recent developments in quantum control-an emerging interdisciplinary field between physics, control and computation. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Living Yeast Cells as a Controllable Biosynthesizer for Fluorescent Quantum DotsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 15 2009Ran Cui Abstract There are currently some problems in the field of chemical synthesis, such as environmental impact, energy loss, and safety, that need to be tackled urgently. An interdisciplinary approach, based on different backgrounds, may succeed in solving these problems. Organisms can be chosen as potential platforms for materials fabrication, since biosystems are natural and highly efficient. Here, an example of how to solve some of these chemical problems through biology, namely, through a novel biological strategy of coupling intracellular irrelated biochemical reactions for controllable synthesis of multicolor CdSe quantum dots (QDs) using living yeast cells as a biosynthesizer, is demonstrated. The unique fluorescence properties of CdSe QDs can be utilized to directly and visually judge the biosynthesis phase to fully demonstrate this strategy. By such a method, CdSe QDs, emitting at a variety of single fluorescence wavelengths, can be intracellularly, controllably synthesized at just 30°C instead of at 300°C with combustible, explosive, and toxic organic reagents. This green biosynthetic route is a novel strategy of coupling, with biochemical reactions taking place irrelatedly, both in time and space. It involves a remarkable decrease in reaction temperature, from around 300 °C to 30 °C and excellent color controllability of CdSe photoluminescence. It is well known that to control the size of nanocrystals is a mojor challenge in the biosynthesis of high-quality nanomaterials. The present work demonstrates clearly that biological systems can be creatively utilized to realize controllable unnatural biosynthesis that normally does not exist, offering new insights for sustainable chemistry. [source] Why health expectations and hopes are different: the development of a conceptual modelHEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 4 2009Karen K. Leung BA (Hons) Abstract Background, In the literature, ,hope' has often been thought of as an ideal expectation. However, we believe the classification of hope as a type of expectation is problematic. Although both hopes and expectations are future-oriented cognitions, expectations are distinct in that they are an individual's probability-driven assessment of the most likely outcomes, while hopes are an assessment of the most desirable , but not necessarily the most probable , outcomes. Aim, This paper presents a conceptual model of the factors that may serve as common antecedents of hopes and expectations, and a mechanism that may mediate their differentiation. Method, Ovid Healthstar and PsycINFO database searches from January 1967 to October 2008 were conducted. An integrative literature review, synthesis and conceptual model development were carried out. Outcome, Our model envisages the differentiation of hope from expectation as a dynamic, longitudinal process consisting of three phases: appraisal of possible outcomes, cognitive analysis for achieving hopes and goal pursuit. Key variables such as temporal proximity, controllability, external resources, goals, affect, agency and pathways may moderate the extent of divergence by influencing the perceived probability of achieving desired outcomes. Conclusion, Hopes and expectations are distinct, but linked, constructs. This preliminary conceptual model presents how hopes and expectations develop, become differentiated and how social-cognitive factors may moderate this relationship. A better understanding of hopes and expectations may assist health professionals in communicating illness-related expectations while maintaining the integrity of patient hopes. [source] Study on a reversible thermal panel for spacecraft (detailed design based on parametric studies and experimental verification)HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 7 2006Hosei Nagano Abstract This paper describes a new passive thermal control device,a Reversible Thermal Panel (RTP), which changes its function reversibly from a radiator to solar absorber by deploying/stowing the radiator/absorber reversible fin. Parametric studies were conducted and the RTP configuration which satisfies the thermal requirements was determined. The RTP engineering model was fabricated using highly oriented graphite sheets, honeycomb base plate, and shape memory alloy. The heat rejection performances and autonomous thermal controllability were evaluated by thermal vacuum tests. The test results show the excellent performances of heat rejection, absorption, and autonomous thermal control for the RTP. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 35(7): 464,481, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20131 [source] Epitaxial Graphene Growth by Carbon Molecular Beam Epitaxy (CMBE)ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 37 2010Jeongho Park A novel growth method (carbon molecular beam epitaxy (CMBE)) has been developed to produce high-quality and large-area epitaxial graphene. This method demonstrates significantly improved controllability of the graphene growth. CMBE with C60 produces AB stacked graphene, while growth with the graphite filament results in non-Bernal stacked graphene layers with a Dirac-like electronic structure, which is similar to graphene grown by thermal decomposition on SiC (000-1). [source] Applications of Sinusoidal Neural Network and Momentum Genetic Algorithm to Two-wheel Vehicle Regulating ProblemIEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2008Duong Chau Sam Non-member Abstract In an attempt to enhance the performance of neural network (NN), we propose a sinusoidal activation function for NN and apply a fast genetic algorithm (GA) with uses of momentum offspring (MOS) and constant-range mutation (CRM) for training the NN. The proposed methods are aimed at designing a neurocontroller (NC) for regulating a two-wheel vehicle system, known as nonholonomic system, in the viewpoint that it is necessary to improve the control process of the system even though several control methods, including applications of NN and GAs, have been developed. The learning performances of NCs are evaluated through the successful evolutionary rates of the control process based on the values of the squared errors. In order to compare the conventional methods with our proposed approaches and verify the effects of momentum GA on NC training, various numerical simulations will be carried out with different numbers of generations in GAs and different activation functions of NCs. Finally, the controllability of NC is investigated with certain sets of initial states. The simulations show that sinusoidal NC trained by momentum GA has a good performance regardless of the small values of population size and generations in GA. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Distributed parameter thermal controllability: a numerical method for solving the inverse heat conduction problemINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 7 2004Marios Alaeddine Abstract This paper addresses the inverse heat conduction problem encountered in thermal manufacturing processes. A numerical control algorithm is developed for distributed parameter conduction systems, based on Galerkin optimization of an energy index employing Green's functions. Various temperature profiles of variable complexity are studied, using the proposed technique, in order to determine the surface heat input distribution necessary to generate the desired temperature field inside a solid body. Furthermore, the effect of altering the iterative time step and duration of processing time, on the convergence of the solution generated by the aforementioned method is investigated. It is proved that despite the variations in numerical processing, the iterative technique is able to solve the problem of inverse heat conduction in the thermal processing of materials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Adaptive control of continuous time stochastic systemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 5 2002T.E. Duncan Abstract Some problems and solutions of adaptive control problems for continuous time stochastic systems are described. A solution is given to the adaptive linear quadratic Gaussian control problem under the natural assumptions of controllability and observability. The effects of sampling and numerical differentiation on a least-squares estimation algorithm are described. Adaptive control problems for non-linear stochastic systems and linear stochastic distributed parameter systems are briefly described. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Simulation and discrete event optimization for automated decisions for in-queue flightsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 5 2010D. Dimitrakiev The paper discusses simulation and optimization of in-queue flights, analyzed as discrete-event systems. Simulation is performed in a platform, based on MATLAB program functions and SIMULINK dynamic models. Regime optimization aims to maximize the controllability of the queue and minimize the fuel consumption of each aircraft (AC). Because of mutual preferential independence, a hierarchical additive value function is constructed, consisting of fuzzily estimated parameter value functions and weight coefficients and a multicriteria decision problem is solved under strict certainty. Two optimization algorithms are applied: one that finds the regime that leads to maximally preferred consequence and another that finds the regime with minimum total fuel consumption among those whose control parameters are set at their most preferred levels. A comparison between the two algorithms is proposed. A scheme describes how the optimization procedures can be used multiple times during the execution of the flight with respect to the occurrence of discrete events. Simulation results are also proposed for the discussed algorithms and procedures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Construction of switching sequences for reachability realization of switched impulsive control systemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 6 2008Zhijian Ji Abstract This paper studies the construction of switching sequences for reachability realization of switched impulsive control systems. An approach is proposed to design switching sequences so that the reachable subspace of switched impulsive control systems is expressed in terms of the reachable state sets of the designed switching sequences. For a class of switched impulsive control systems, it is proved that a single switching sequence can be designed with its reachable state set coinciding with the reachable subspace. Periodic switching sequences are also constructed in this paper for the reachability realization problem. The results present a new way to exploit the switching mechanism to achieve the reachability and controllability of switched impulsive control systems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Feedback stabilization of bifurcations in multivariable nonlinear systems,Part II: Hopf bifurcationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 4 2007Yong Wang Abstract In this paper we derive necessary and sufficient conditions of stabilizability for multi-input nonlinear systems possessing a Hopf bifurcation with the critical mode being linearly uncontrollable, under the non-degeneracy assumption that stability can be determined by the third order term in the normal form of the dynamics on the centre manifold. Stabilizability is defined as the existence of a sufficiently smooth state feedback such that the Hopf bifurcation of the closed-loop system is supercritical, which is equivalent to local asymptotic stability of the system at the bifurcation point. We prove that under the non-degeneracy conditions, stabilizability is equivalent to the existence of solutions to a third order algebraic inequality of the feedback gains. Explicit conditions for the existence of solutions to the algebraic inequality are derived, and the stabilizing feedback laws are constructed. Part of the sufficient conditions are equivalent to the rank conditions of an augmented matrix which is a generalization of the Popov,Belevitch,Hautus (PBH) rank test of controllability for linear time invariant (LTI) systems. We also apply our theory to feedback control of rotating stall in axial compression systems using bleed valve as actuators. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Effect of Weight Loss on Perceptions of Weight Controllability: Implications for Prejudice Against Overweight PeopleJOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002Bruce E. Blaine The influence of weight and recent weight loss on perceptions of weight controllability and prejudice against overweight people was investigated. Participants (N= 64) examined bogus health, diet, and fitness information about a female target. The target's weight (121 vs. 161 lb, or 55 vs. 73 kg) and recent weight loss (0 vs. 40 lb, or 0 vs. 18 kg) were manipulated. Perceptions of the controllability of weight, trait ratings of the target, and dislike of overweight people were measured. The results showed that weight loss increases perceptions of the controllability of weight equally in normal and overweight targets. Moreover, overweight targets were disliked more and judged more unattractive than were targets with more healthy weights, and this was particularly true for overweight targets who had recently lost weight. The implications of the results for prejudice against overweight people and the stigma of obesity are discussed. [source] The Impact of Service User Cognitive Level on Carer Attributions for Aggressive BehaviourJOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 3 2002Hannah Tynan Background This study was designed to test the hypothesis that carer attributions for aggressive behaviour vary according to a service user's severity of intellectual disability. Methods Forty-two residential care staff participated in an investigation examining the effects of the level of a service user's intellectual disability on causal attributions for their aggressive behaviour. Equal numbers of participants were assigned to either a ,mild disability' or a ,severe disability' condition and required to read a vignette depicting a service user with aggressive challenging behaviour. The service user's cognitive abilities were experimentally manipulated across conditions, whilst the behaviour described remained unchanged. Participants were required to make attributions along Weiner's (1980) dimensions of locus, stability and controllability, and in accordance with five prominent models of challenging behaviour (Hastings 1997b). Results The service user depicted in the mild disabilities condition was perceived to have significantly greater control over factors causing the aggressive behaviour than the service user in the severe disabilities condition. Participants in the severe disabilities condition considered the aggression to be significantly more challenging. Learned behaviour and emotional causal models of aggressive behaviour were favoured, whilst the physical environment account was seen as least appropriate. Additionally, the biomedical model was rated as significantly more applicable in the severe disability condition than in the mild disability condition. Conclusions Implications for staff and service users are discussed. In particular, the relationship between staff causal attributions for challenging behaviour, their emotional responses and willingness to engage in helping behaviour is explored. [source] Attributions of HIV Onset Controllability, Emotional Reactions, and Helping Intentions: Implicit Effects of Victim Sexual Orientation,JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 7 2007Jason D. Seacat A vignette methodology was used to investigate the effects of systematically manipulating HIV onset controllability and victim sexual orientation on (a) participant attributions about a victim (i.e., perceptions of victim control, responsibility, and blame); (b) participant emotional reactions (anger and sympathy) toward a victim; and (c) participant helping intentions toward a victim. Weiner's (1980a, 1980b, 1995) attributional helping model was tested to determine whether participant anger and sympathy mediated the onset controllability/helping intentions relationship. A total of 399 undergraduate psychology students completed the survey. Statistically significant effects were found for HIV onset controllability and victim sexual orientation on participant attributions, emotional reactions, and helping intentions. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are addressed. [source] Depressed or Just Blue?JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 12 2005The Persuasive Effects of a Self-Diagnosis Inventory A self-diagnosis inventory is both a response instrument and a tool for an individual to assess his or her risk. Three experiments show that the manner in which a depression self-diagnosis inventory is administered and constructed affects the manner in which a respondent interprets behavioral symptoms. This in turn affects (a) self-reports of whether the symptoms apply to the respondent; (b) the respondent's perceived risk of depression; (c) the perceived controllability of the behavioral symptoms; and (d) the respondent's likelihood of seeking treatment. Theoretical implications of the content and format of self-diagnosis inventories are discussed, as are implications for how to persuade people to seek assistance when they are at risk. [source] Mergers and group status: the impact of high, low and equal group status on identification and satisfaction with a company merger, experienced controllability, group identity and group cohesionJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Peter Fischer Abstract Although mergers are seen as tools to enhance business in today's global marketplace, they have had a low success rate, possibly because the focus has been on financial and legal issues rather than on the human factors involved. In this respect, focusing on the social psychological variables, social identity theory can provide an explanation for the failure of most mergers. An experiment based on this theory involving mergers between two workgroups was conducted to investigate the effects of merger-related status on participants' psychological responses to the mergers. Thirty-six small groups were assigned to three different status groups (high, low and equal status groups) using the minimal group paradigm. Most negative responses to the merger,in terms of identification with the merger group, satisfaction with the merger, common in-group identity, group cohesion and controllability,were given by the members of the low status groups. Contrary to expectations, status was not related to the performance of the groups. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Relocated Citizens' Perceptions and Attitudes Regarding Indoor Application of Toxic Agricultural PesticidesJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2000Olurominiyi O. Ibitayo This study investigates the viewpoints of relocated citizens regarding the effects of relocation, perceptions of the potential hazards of indoor application of a toxic agricultural pesticide , methyl parathion , and the efficacy of the risk information emphasizing the adverse health effects of this inappropriate use of the pesticide. The surveyed citizens were those relocated because the levels of the pesticide contaminant in their homes were high. Despite the extensive information , through the mass media and face-to-face warnings and activities such as assessment of contamination levels, decontamination of homes and relocation , the respondents, regardless of race, consistently perceived relatively low levels of risks from the indoor application of methyl parathion. The disruption of family life, loss of peace of mind and the loss of contaminated property were the most mentioned problems caused by the relocation. In contrast to past research, the disruption of social ties or networks was hardly mentioned. The results of this study suggest that the perceived personal benefits of home-use of methyl parathion, and the voluntariness and controllability of exposure may have been the overriding factors of the respondents' risk perception, more than the clarity, content, consistency, and credibility of the risk information. The fact that the relocation was temporary must have contributed to the low level of importance attached by the respondents to the disruption of social ties as one of the adverse effects of the relocation. [source] Development of a large parallel-cable manipulator for the feed-supporting system of a next-generation large radio telescopeJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 11 2001Y. X. Su A large parallel-cable manipulator for the feed-supporting system of a next-generation large radio telescope is presented in this paper. The approximate kinematics model of the system is developed to improve real-time controllability, and the rationality of this approximation is validated by a kinematics accuracy analysis. In order to guarantee the effectiveness of control, the singularity of the large parallel-cable manipulator is analyzed (including kinematics and force singularities). The control strategy of the parallel-cable feed-supporting system is also proposed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||