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The purpose of this paper is to present the lessons learned and alternative methods used in teaching library and internet searching skills to adult learners, especially senior…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the lessons learned and alternative methods used in teaching library and internet searching skills to adult learners, especially senior citizens, in a non‐credit course offered by the Michigan State University Evening College.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper sets out the specific considerations taken in designing and executing an information literacy course for adult learners, along with observations and reflections, are described in detail and supported with evidence from research on adult learning theory and pedagogy. Preliminary sections describe the background and initial planning of the course, while additional sections describe each lesson learned in detail, including alternative teaching methods used and evaluation and assessment techniques.
Findings
The paper provides essential tips and suggestions to consider when teaching library and internet‐searching skills to adult learners, such as “keeping it simple”, establishing a slower‐paced learning environment, and providing unique and engaging class exercises. Also reports on successful alternative and unique approaches used when teaching adult learners.
Research limitations/implications
Most of the evidence provided is from general observations by the librarian/instructor over three years. More formalized testing needs to be applied to better assess student learning, along with comparison of results over several more years.
Practical implications
The paper is a highly useful source of practical information for librarians looking to teach unique user groups (adult learners, non‐traditional students, or senior citizens) information literacy skills, in a university setting and using new and engaging teaching techniques.
Originality/value
This paper offers innovative ideas and practical techniques using Breakfast at Tiffany's to use when teaching adult learners, especially senior citizens, information literacy skills.
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Kara J. Gust and Clifford H. Haka
To provide a description of renovation and promotional efforts applied by the Michigan State University Libraries during the 1990s in an attempt to bring users back into the…
Abstract
Purpose
To provide a description of renovation and promotional efforts applied by the Michigan State University Libraries during the 1990s in an attempt to bring users back into the physical library.
Design/methodology/approach
A number of specific steps taken by the Michigan State University Libraries to reorient and refurbish the first floor of its main library are described in detail and supported with evidence from other studies and library renovation projects. Each section focuses on a different aspect of the renovation: relocating reference, adding a café, adding new carpeting and furnishings, expanding library hours, providing alternatives for coming to the library, and greatly increasing computer technology.
Findings
Provides information about each step taken in the renovation project, along with considerations for taking each action. Recognizes that these actions may not ultimately alone result in increased patron usage of the library's physical location, but have increased patron activity and numbers in the MSU main library and have made it a more welcoming environment.
Practical implications
Provides very useful information for university library administrators who may be facing the challenges of declining library usage and looking for ways to encourage users back into the library through renovation or promotional means.
Originality/value
This paper fulfills a need for practical solutions to administrators of large university libraries looking to make building improvements to increase both the usage and aesthetics of their library's physical space.
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Jessica Da Costa Siqueira, Mario G. Perhinschi and Ghassan Al-Sinbol
The purpose of this paper is to develop a simplified atmospheric model including constant wind, turbulence, gusts, and wind shear to provide simulation tools for unmanned aerial…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a simplified atmospheric model including constant wind, turbulence, gusts, and wind shear to provide simulation tools for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) design, testing, and evaluation within the West Virginia University (WVU) UAV simulation environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Analytical methods and experimental data are used to develop the simplified model for air mass motion as a superposition of four major components. Spatial gradients of relative air velocity vector projections are considered for modeling wind shear effects. The total contribution to relative air velocity from the four components in vehicle body axes is used within the WVU UAV simulation environment to calculate aerodynamic forces and moments. The simplified wind model is also interfaced with aircraft sub-system upset conditions models and different autonomous flight scenarios.
Findings
The simplified wind model developed provides simulation of different upset environment flight conditions with desirable levels of realism. It allows the testing, comparison, and evaluation of different trajectory tracking solutions for autonomous flight.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed simplified wind model facilitates the investigation of the effects of different atmospheric scenarios on the performance of trajectory generation algorithms and trajectory tracking control laws.
Practical implications
The proposed simplified wind model has been proved to be a high flexibility tool for simulation of UAVs under normal and abnormal flight conditions. It is expected to provide valuable support for the design and analysis of autonomous flight control laws.
Originality/value
This research effort provides a new capability for the advanced simulation of UAV autonomous flight with practically no additional computational cost. It adds an unprecedented level of detail and versatility to the UAV simulation toolkit within a very user-friendly framework aimed at supporting UAV design and analysis for optimal performance and safety under normal and abnormal flight conditions.
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ALTHOUGH the two prototypes of the Blohm und Voss Ha 139 were first flown in 1937, the machine has never received much attention and, in view of its present topicality, it seems…
Abstract
ALTHOUGH the two prototypes of the Blohm und Voss Ha 139 were first flown in 1937, the machine has never received much attention and, in view of its present topicality, it seems an opportune moment to describe it. Ostensibly the Ha 139 was designed and built, like the Dornier Do 26, for the experimental German air mail services across the North and South Atlantic. In view of the present situation, although it has long been realized that these experiments were actually of a military nature, further point is lent to their venue, as the operators of the service must have gained considerable knowledge of the prevailing weather conditions, not only over the British convoy routes, but also on the routes to America generally.
This study explores how human actions affect existing supply chain management (SCM) practice.
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores how human actions affect existing supply chain management (SCM) practice.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a narrative approach, this qualitative in-depth case study looks at micro-human activities in SCM practices in the Russian Arctic. Data from personal observations, 13 semi-structured interviews and archival materials are interpreted through the concepts of institutional work and institutional logics.
Findings
The study reveals how human actions and institutions affect each other and change existing SCM practice constrained by institutional order and logics. The findings identify two forms of institutional work, initiated by the presence of conflicts of interest between practitioners engaged in different organisational routines, that become an essential driver for logic change. Social action, often invisible in practice, is indicated by finding compromises and informal arrangements that shape interactive activity among practitioners. The findings show that changes enacted by human actions in SCM practice have envisioned new forms of collaboration among supply chain members, thereby making supply chains in the Russian Arctic more integrated than before.
Research limitations/implications
This study involves a limited number of supply chain practitioners, making it imperative to study larger samples, specifically from various empirical contexts.
Originality/value
This study suggests an alternative approach focusing on SCM practice as consistent patterns of human actions, to reflect on supply chain integration problems. It provides an understanding of how practitioners are influenced by and active in producing institutional change. An issue of practitioners' responsibility and morality regarding the consequences of their decisions when exerting change in existing SCM practice is further emphasised.
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Turgul Oktay, Mehmet Konar, Murat Onay, Murat Aydin and Mohamed Abdallah Mohamed
The purpose of this paper is to increase flight performance of small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using simultaneous UAV and autopilot system design.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to increase flight performance of small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using simultaneous UAV and autopilot system design.
Design/methodology/approach
A small UAV is manufactured in Erciyes University, College of Aviation, Model Aircraft Laboratory. Its wing and tail is able to move forward and backward in the nose-to-tail direction in prescribed interval. Autopilot parameters and assembly position of wing and tail to fuselage are simultaneously designed to maximize flight performance using a stochastic optimization method. Results are obtained are used for simulations.
Findings
Using simultaneous UAV and autopilot system design idea, flight performance is maximized.
Research limitations/implications
Permission of Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Turkey is required for testing UAVs in long range.
Practical implications
Simultaneous design idea is very beneficial for improving UAV flight performance.
Originality/value
Creating a novel method to improve flight performance of UAV and developing an algorithm performing simultaneous design idea.
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Ryan Gerald McLaughlin and Mario G. Perhinschi
An artificial immune system (AIS) for the detection and identification of abnormal operational conditions affecting an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) is developed using the partition…
Abstract
Purpose
An artificial immune system (AIS) for the detection and identification of abnormal operational conditions affecting an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) is developed using the partition of the universe approach. The performance of the proposed methodology is assessed through simulation within the West Virginia University (WVU) unmanned aerial system (UAS) simulation environment.
Design/methodology/approach
An AIS is designed and generated for a fixed wing UAV using data from the WVU UAS simulator. A novel partition of the universe approach augmented with the hierarchical multiself strategy is used to define the self, within the AIS paradigm. Several 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional commanded trajectories are simulated under normal and abnormal conditions affecting actuators and sensors. Data recorded are used to build the AIS and develop an abnormal condition detection and identification scheme for the two categories of subsystems. The performance of the methodology is evaluated in terms of detection and identification rates, false alarms and decision times.
Findings
The proposed methodology for UAV abnormal condition detection and identification has the potential to support a comprehensive and integrated solution to the problem of aircraft subsystem health management. The novel partition of the universe approach has been proven to be a promising alternative to the previously investigated clustering methods by providing similar or better performance for the cases investigated.
Research limitations/implications
The promising results obtained within this research effort motivate further investigation and extension of the proposed methodology toward a complete system health management process, including abnormal condition evaluation and accommodation.
Practical implications
The use of the partition of the universe approach for AIS generation may potentially represent a valuable alternative to current clustering methods within the AIS paradigm. It can facilitate a simpler and faster implementation of abnormal condition detection and identification schemes.
Originality/value
In this paper, a novel method for AIS generation, the partition of the universe approach, is formulated and applied for the first time for the development of abnormal condition detection and identification schemes for UAVs. This approach is computationally less expensive and mitigates some of the issues related to the typical clustering approaches. The implementation of the proposed approach can potentially enhance the robustness of UAS for safety purposes.
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Bento Silva de Mattos, Paulo Jiniche Komatsu and Jesuíno Takachi Tomita
The present work aims to analyze the feasibility of wingtip device incorporation into transport airplane configurations considering many aspects such as performance, cost and…
Abstract
Purpose
The present work aims to analyze the feasibility of wingtip device incorporation into transport airplane configurations considering many aspects such as performance, cost and environmental impact. A design framework encompassing optimization for wing-body configurations with and without winglets is described and application examples are presented and discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
modeFrontier, an object-oriented optimization design framework, was used to perform optimization tasks of configurations with wingtip devices. A full potential code with viscous effects correction was used to calculate the aerodynamic characteristics of the fuselage–wing–winglet configuration. MATLAB® was also used to perform some computations and was easily integrated into the modeFrontier frameworks. CFD analyses of transport airplanes configurations were also performed with Fluent and CFD++ codes.
Findings
Winglet provides considerable aerodynamic benefits regarding similar wings without winglets. Drag coefficient reduction in the order of 15 drag counts was achieved in the cruise condition. Winglet also provides a small boost in the clean-wing maximum lift coefficient. In addition, less fuel burn means fewer emissions and contributes toward preserving the environment.
Practical implications
More efficient transport airplanes, presenting considerable lower fuel burn.
Social implications
Among other contributions, wingtip devices reduce fuel burn, engine emissions and contribute to a longer engine lifespan, reducing direct operating costs. This way, they are in tune with a greener world.
Originality/value
The paper provides valuable wind-tunnel data of several winglet configurations, an impact of the incorporation of winglets on airplane design diagram and a direct comparison of two optimizations, one performed with winglets in the configuration and the other without winglets. These simulations showed that their Pareto fronts are clearly apart from each other, with the one from the configuration with winglets placed well above the other without winglets. The present simulations indicate that there are always aerodynamic benefits present regardless the skeptical statements of some engineers. that a well-designed wing does not need any winglet.