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The purpose of this paper is to design a model‐based robust controller for autonomous hovering of a small‐scale helicopter.

The model is developed using prediction error minimization (PEM) system identification method implemented to flight data. Based on the extracted linear model, an H_∞ controller is synthesized for robustness against parametric uncertainties and disturbances.

The proposed techniques for modelling provide a linear state‐space model which correlates well with the recorded flight data. The synthesized H_∞ controller demonstrates an effective performance which rejects both sinusoidal and step input disturbances. The controller enables the attitude angle follow the reference target while keeping the attitude rate constant about zero for hover flight condition.

The synthesized controller is effective for hovering and low‐speed flight condition.

This work provides an efficient hovering/low‐speed autonomous helicopter flight control required in many civilian UAV applications such as aerial surveillance and photography.

The paper addresses the challenges of controlling a small‐scale helicopter during hover with inherent modelling uncertainties and disturbances.

The purpose of this study is to examine whether controllers are willing to and/or general managers are expecting them to act as business partners and, hence, to analyze the related consequences from a manager’s point of view.

This study is based on a dyadic data set gathered from 112 German head controllers and corresponding general managers in the period of March to May 2009. Drawing on the theory of reasoned action (Fishbein and Ajzen, 1975), the authors examine controllers’ attitude, subjective norm and behavior regarding their participation in managerial decision-making. Further, the authors analyze general managers’ assessment of related outcomes, such as internal efficiency and process improvements and use covariance-based structural equation modeling to test for the theoretical relationships.

Results show that controllers’ behavior is strongly influenced by management’s expectations. Moreover, the results support the notion that business partnering is associated with organizational improvements regarding internal processes, decisions and efficiency, thereby increasing the contribution of the controllers’ department to the competiveness of an organization.

Our study focuses on a limited set of variables and does not incorporate different hierarchy levels, which could be avenues for further research. Still, our findings highlight the importance of management’s expectations as triggers for business-oriented behavior of controllers.

Theory and empirical evidence in the research area of controllers’ business orientation are still underdeveloped and, therefore, knowledge about the micro-processes and determinants on an individual level for becoming a business partner, as well as on the related outcomes of such a behavior is still limited. The results contribute to literature by highlighting the importance of general managers’ expectations as triggers for business orientation of controllers and its related benefits for the organization.

This study aims to investigate the dynamic motion of an ultrasonic machining system comprising two Duffing oscillators, each with a single degree of freedom. After derivation of the differential equations of the system using the Lagrange equations and dimensionless time, numerical analysis was used to observe changes in the system caused by differences in excitation frequency.

To suppress this effect and improve performance, proportional differential (PD) control was used. The integral absolute error was used as the fitness function, and particle swarm optimization was used to find the best value for the gain constant of the PD controller.

The results showed that with specific changes of excitation frequency, the dynamic motion of the system became nonlinear and chaotic behavior resulted. This made the system unstable and affected performance.

A range of methods, including fuzzy control, was used to analyze the results, and exhaustive laboratory work was carried out. Means of control were found that were effective in suppressing the chaotic behavior, and differences in response to control were investigated and verified. The findings of this study can be used as a basis for system parameter settings or control circuit design.

External examining imparts one of the pivotal means for ensuring the monitoring of the guidelines and standards within private autonomous universities and institutes. External examiners are considered independent individuals who can provide unbiased, objective evaluation, and informed comment on the student’s quality of the project as compared to the standards. Hence, the role of the external examiner is vital and has a strong influence on institutional quality assurance. The qualitative research has primarily aimed to study the external examining practices involving a private university in India. Interviews were conducted mainly with the external appointed examiners; however, the internal faculty guides or supervisors were also made to participate in separate interviews. The results were coded following the content analysis framework. The research unraveled Pandora’s box of the system bottlenecks and challenges concerning the expected and actual practices. Limitations, recommendations, and future research implications were discussed.

Continued quest for business improvement in terms of enhanced productivity and cost cuts is the most valued strategic function in an organization. Towards this endeavor, there have been evolutions of many problem-solving techniques like Lean, quality control (QC) tools, Six Sigma, total productive maintenance (TPM), etc. This paper introduces a different problem-solving methodology for quality improvement – prepare, measure, define, establish, control and stabilize (PMDECS) approach of Red Bin Analysis (RBA) – and presents empirical evidence of its effectiveness in eliminating the defectives at source (parts per million [PPM]) and improving the process capability (Cp).

An attempt has been made to compare RBA with the Six Sigma methodology in terms of number of defects, defectives, process capabilities, project duration, etc. Data validation with more than 2000 data points was conducted based on empirical data collected over multiple problem-solving projects conducted in six manufacturing industries of India to compare the effectiveness of both the methods. Finally, fuzzy AHP (analytical hierarchy process) model was proposed to identify the Quality Improvement Index for both the methods to address the manager’s dilemma in selecting an appropriate problem-solving method.

The paper provides empirical insights in establishing that the PMDECS approach of RBA is at par and sometimes better for problem-solving if the problem is not chronic and is at the initial stages, it requires less duration than Six Sigma projects and except casting process and it can yield better results in case of PPM rejection or Cp/Cpk improvement in other processes.

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. This research has been specifically conducted in automotive manufacturing industries. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

The paper includes implications for the usage of alternative problem-solving methods, like PMDECS approach of RBA.

This paper intends to compare how the results of six sigma projects in manufacturing industries are effective against a different methodology, PMDECS approach of RBA.

The authors develop a methodology to select appropriate sustainable supply chain indicators (SSCIs) to measure Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the global supply chain.

SSCIs are identified by reviewing the extant literature and topic modeling. Further, they are evaluated based on existing SDGs and ranked using the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. Notably, the evaluation of indicators is a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process within a fuzzy environment. The methodology has been explained using a case study from the automobile industry.

The case study identifies appropriate SSCIs and differentiates them among peer suppliers for gaining a competitive advantage. The results reveal that top-ranked sustainability indicators include the management of natural resources, energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and social investment.

The study outcome will enable suppliers, specialists and decision makers to understand the criteria that improve supply chain sustainability in the automobile industry. The analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the competitive package of indicators for gaining strategic advantage. This proactive sustainability indicator selection promotes and enhances sustainability reporting while fulfilling regulatory requirements and increasing collaboration potential with trustworthy downstream partners. This study sets the stage for further research in SSCIs’ competitive strategy in the automobile industry along with its supply chains.

This study is unique as it provides a framework for determining relevant SSCIs, which can be distinguished from peer suppliers, while also matching economic, environmental and social metrics to achieve a competitive advantage.

Nowadays, the use of forged e-passport is increasing, which is threatening national security. It is important to improve the national security against international crime or terrorism. There is a weak verification process caused by lack of identification processes such as a physical check, biometric check and electronic check. The e-passport can prevent the passport cloning or forging resulting from the illegal immigration. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

This paper focuses on face recognition to improve the biometric authentication for an e-passport, and it also introduces facial permanent mark detection from the makeup or cosmetic-applied faces, twins and similar faces. An algorithm is proposed to detect the cosmetic-applied facial permanent marks such as mole, freckle, birthmark and pockmark. Active Shape Model into Active Appearance Model using Principal Component Analysis is applied to detect the facial landmarks. Facial permanent marks are detected by applying the Canny edge detector and Gradient Field Histogram of Oriented Gradient.

This paper demonstrated an algorithm and proposed facial marks detection from cosmetic or makeup-applied faces for a secure biometric passport in the field of personal identification for national security. It also presented to detect and identify identical twins and similar faces. This paper presented facial marks detection from the cosmetic-applied face, which can be mixed with traditional methods. However, the use of the proposed technique faced some challenges due to the use of cosmetic. The combinations of the algorithm for facial mark recognition matching with classical methods were able to attain lower errors in this proposed experiment.

The proposed method will enhance the national security and it will improve the biometric authentication for the e-passport. The proposed algorithm is capable of identifying facial marks from cosmetic-applied faces accurately, with less false positives. The proposed technique shows the best results.

Discusses the tasks facing educational management in India resulting from demographic change, social demand for education and economic need for trained manpower. Attempts to develop a social paradigm for the year 2000 and beyond that reflects concerns about the strength of India′s democracy and secularization, as well as more immediate practical challenges.

The purpose of this report is to outline selected presentations of the national seminar based on the theme “open access movement – initiatives, promotion and impact” organized by department of Library and Information Science, University of Kashmir held during 23‐25 October 2008 at Srinagar and narrates scenic beauty of Kashmir.

Conference report.

Many case studies and presentations were made about applications of OA software and the OA publishing model to overcome barriers and promote scholarly communication with special reference to Asia. These are included in this report.

Based on discussion during the seminar and personal interaction the author had with the participants, this report is a useful summary of open access related activities which is a topic of interest to managers of organizations, teachers and educators, librarians, open access protagonists and members of information provider communities. Some new ideas/study reports that have not been placed the traditional literature are introduced in the discussion.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the available literature on engagement of faculty members teaching in higher education institutions and present forth a strong foundation for researchers of the same area to gain insight into the available literature and prospects of faculty engagement.

Exploratory study has been conducted using different keywords to draw a list of relevant research papers on Google Scholar and several online databases like Emerald Management, EBSCO Host, Elseiver, etc.

Various definitions of the major constructs have been captured from which dimensions have been explored. Identification of dimensions and factors has been done by performing extensive literature review. Studies so conducted on the major construct have been tabulated to present a comprehensive picture. Universities across the world have been studied to find out differences with respect to India in terms of their higher education system and practices related to faculty.

The paper is original and holds significance as not much literature is available on faculty engagement in published domain and higher education has become an area of keen interest in present times. This paper will give a strong foundation of literature to future researchers who want to pursue their studies in this area.