Generic two-degree-of-freedom linear and fuzzy controllers for integral processes

This paper presents a new framework for the design of generic two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF), linear and fuzzy, controllers dedicated to a class of integral processes specific to servo systems. The first part of the paper presents four 2-DOF linear PI controller structures that are designed using the Extended Symmetrical Optimum method to ensure the desired overshoot and settling time. The second part of the paper presents an original design method for 2-DOF Takagi-Sugeno PI-fuzzy controllers based on the stability analysis theorem. Experimental results for the speed control of a servo system with variable load illustrate the performance of the new generic control structures.     

Die intrinsische Motivation zu wissenschaftlicher Arbeit als Problem von Universitätsorganisation und Leistungsmessung

Dieser Beitrag hat die organisatorischen Veränderungen an Österreichs Universitäten während der letzten 40 Jahre zum Gegenstand. Der Weg von der Ordinarienuniversität zur unternehmerischen Universität wird nachgezeichnet und die Chancen und Risiken einer Vermarktlichung der Koordinationsmechanismen an der Universität werden diskutiert. Probleme werden insbesondere bei der Messung und Steuerung wissenschaftlicher Leistung geortet. Als besonderes Risiko der unternehmerischen Universität wird die Verdrängung innerer Motivation durch äußere Motivation im Handeln von WissenschafterInnen gesehen.     

Mathematics education research in Poland

A short evaluation of the current status of mathematics education research in Poland is presented. This serves as a kind of framework for the four papers from Poland (by A. Demby, J. Konior, I. Trzcieniecka-Schneider and A. Urbaska) in this issue.     

Evaluation der Erziehungswissenschaft

Auch die Erziehungswissenschaft ist gegenw?rtig mit wissenschaftspolitischen Erwartungen an Wettbewerb, Qualit?tssicherung und Evaluation konfrontiert. Der Beitrag analysiert Forschungsleistungen der Erziehungswissenschaft und nutzt dazu Daten des vom Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung (CHE) durchgeführten und in der Zeitschrift STERN ver?ffentlichten fachspezifischen Hochschulrankings. Er befasst sich zun?chst knapp mit der Kritik an diesen Hochschulrankings und reanalysiert dann die Daten im Blick auf Publikationen, Projektfinanzierung und Drittmitteleinwerbungen, auch im Vergleich zu anderen Disziplinen. Die Befunde zeigen eine relativ hohe Inklusionsbereitschaft unterschiedlicher Wissensformen, die nicht nur die evaluative, sondern auch die fachlich spezifische Definition und Bewertung von ‘Qualit?t’ erziehungswissenschaftlicher Forschung erschwert. Der Beitrag pl?diert für eine aktive und konstruktive Beteiligung der Erziehungswissenschaft an der Weiterentwicklung standardisierter, wissenschaftlich begründeter und zugleich auch wissenschaftspolitisch anschlussf?higer Indikatoren.     

Escape boxes: Bringing escape room experience into the classroom

In this paper, we present an escape box as a means to introduce the escape room concept into classrooms. Recreational escape rooms have inspired teachers all over the world to adapt the popular entertainment activity for education. Escape rooms are problem-based and time-constrained, requiring active and collaborative participants, a setting that teachers want to achieve in their classroom to promote learning. This paper explores the adaptation of the escape room concept into educational escape game boxes. These technology-enhanced escape boxes have become hybrid learning spaces, merging individual and collaborative learning, as well as physical and digital spaces. The design of the box with assignments on each side puts users face to face with each other and requires them to collaborate in the physical world, instead of being individually absorbed in a digital world. The developed box is a unique concept in the field of escape rooms; the content is adaptable. This paper describes the process leading to the design criteria, the design process, test results and evaluation, and provides recommendations for designing educational escape rooms.     

Parametrization of the solvent action on modern artists' paint systems

A solvent action parametrization scheme has been developed combining relevant parameters of the solvent action on modern artists' paints to characterize the solvation and dissolving properties of different binding media. The new system combines different concepts used in solvent chemistry. It is based on the normalized and solute-dependent dimension [hδ_H + eE_T(30)cv]^N. It comprises a polarity value E_T(30)cv as the magnitude of the enthalpy, and a combined value representing the cavitation energy δ_H as an entropy-influencing factor. Forty-eight solvents were divided into five subgroups based on their interaction and structural properties. This binary scheme permits to reliably quantify spaces of efficiency. The graphical selectivity of the scheme was applied to four binding media systems (oil, alkyd, acrylic-, and acrylic-polystyrene) by determination of the swelling capacity of 48 solvents. The graphical visualization of the systematic parametrization of solvents permits one to judge the intermolecular interaction and other effects of solvation relevant to the restoration of painted artwork.     

Economics and (Modern) Sports History

Economics is an integral part of history and economic methods can be useful to historians, in just the same way as the perspective of the historian is often vital to understanding the economics of a problem. This paper argues that while there exist tensions, economists and historians should see their work as complementary.     

Tools for assessing needs and impacts

The results of the ICCROM Forum 2013 on Conservation Science working group on Tools for assessing needs and impacts is presented. It is used as a starting point for a fundamental study of tools in general, tangible and intangible. The phenomenon of scientists and their organizations becoming defined by their tools, and unable to change when the needs of those they serve change, was noted by Kaplan in 1964. Part of the mechanism is the human tendency to solve any disagreement between new facts (like client needs) and old beliefs (such as the importance of one's toolset) by twisting the facts rather than the beliefs. Collins' proposal of three kinds of tacit knowledge, with collective tacit knowledge as the most difficult to make explicit, can explain common problems of interpretation and communication of assessments, and guide strategies for reliable tools. Kaufmann's ideas on the structuring of needs assessment by levels, and the distinction between macro outputs and mega outcomes, is combined with Maslow's five basic human needs, as well as the three pillars of sustainability, to produce an overall map of where needs assessment tools operate, and where conservation science organizations fit into this structure.     

The linguistic complexity of adult and child contextualized and decontextualized talk

The association between decontextualized talk (DT; i.e., talk extending beyond immediate context) and child language outcomes is well-attested but not well-understood. This study tested the hypothesis that DT is more linguistically complex than contextualized talk (CT). Thirty-eight Norwegian children (M_age = 5.5 years; 25 girls; 30 Norwegian-speaking monolinguals and eight multilinguals) and their teachers were videotaped during picture book reading, story card conversations and toy play (collected 2010–2011 and 2017). Results show that DT was more complex than CT among children and teachers. Both types of talk were more complex during book reading and story conversations than during play. The conversational context should be accounted for when theorizing about the role of DT in language development.