Showing papers by "Penn State College of Communications published in 2010"
TL;DR: The contribution of professional journalism to democratic citizenship is well-established, but the proliferation of online user-generated news begs the question of whether citizen journalism plays a role in this process as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The contribution of professional journalism to democratic citizenship is well-established, but the proliferation of online user-generated news begs the question of whether citizen journalism plays ...
182 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a delay-dependent robust stability problem for a neutral system with mixed time-varying delays is studied, where the uncertainties under consideration are nonlinear time-variant parameter perturbations and norm-bounded uncertainties, respectively.
Abstract: This paper studies delay-dependent robust stability problem for neutral system with mixed time-varying delays. The uncertainties under consideration are nonlinear time-varying parameter perturbations and norm-bounded uncertainties, respectively. Based on Lyapunov functional approach and linear matrix inequality technology, some improved delay-dependent stability conditions are derived by introducing free-weighting matrices. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and less conservativeness of the proposed methods.
115 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provided an example of a crisis case in which the media was embraced as a partner in the crisis response, and assessed the relationship between the media and the government during the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
Abstract: Prominent crisis communication researchers have suggested that practitioners should work with the media as partners when managing a crisis (Ulmer, Sellnow, & Seeger, 2007). This study provides an example of a crisis case in which the media was embraced as a partner in the crisis response. Specifically, the partnership established with the media as part of the crisis response following the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City is assessed. Conclusions further the literature on interorganizational partnerships while encouraging research and discussion concerning working with the media as a partner instead of an adversary in public relations, generally, and crisis communication, specifically.
65 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a novel electrochemical methanol sensor based on a catalytic electrode of palladium-nickel/silicon nanowires (Pd-Ni/SiNWs) is presented.
55 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the NiO/SiNW nanocomposites were fabricated by annealing at different temperatures in an oxygen atmosphere, and the electrochemical behavior of these electrodes was investigated with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
50 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a novel anode structure based on the three-dimensional silicon microchannel plates (Si-MCP) is proposed for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs).
42 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the absolute stability problem for a Lurie control system with nonlinearity located in an infinite sector and finite one was studied, and some delay dependent stability criteria were derived to guarantee the stability of the system.
Abstract: This paper studies the absolute stability problem for a Lurie control system with nonlinearity located in an infinite sector and finite one. By dividing the discrete delay interval into multiple segments and choosing proper Lyapunov functionals, some delay dependent stability criteria are derived to guarantee the stability of the Lurie control system. It is established theoretically that the criteria are less conservative than the previous ones. Numerical examples demonstrate the validity of the proposed criteria.
32 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a delay-dependent robust stability problem for neutral systems with mixed delays and nonlinear perturbations is studied, based on a special Lyapunov functional approach and linear matrix inequality technology.
26 citations
TL;DR: The geometrical structure and frequencies of normal vibrations of both compounds were calculated using density functional method with the PBE exchange-correlation functional and IR spectra of the studied molecules were interpreted for the first time.
25 citations
01 Jan 2010
22 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that trust had the strongest ability to predict intent to continue volunteering and that trust could be enhanced by including teenagers in work groups throughout the organization, seeking their input on organizational decisions, and ensuring they receive formal and informal organizational communications.
Abstract: Facing a decline in the number of hours donated to nonprofit organizations, volunteer coordinators must strive to determine the most effective strategies for retaining volunteers. Relationship management theory provides a framework to gauge the well-being of an organization's relationship with its stakeholders. Through surveys administered to 317 teenage volunteers at three library systems, this study found that of four factors—trust, commitment, satisfaction, and control mutuality—trust had the strongest ability to predict intent to continue volunteering. Further analysis revealed that trust could be enhanced by including teenagers in work groups throughout the organization, seeking their input on organizational decisions, and ensuring they receive formal and informal organizational communications.
TL;DR: A major shift in information behavior (IB) research occurred in the 1980s, while the early use studies focused on a particular system or service and its users, the new generation of studies placed the information seeker/user in the center and did not presume the use of a particular resource or set of resources.
Abstract: I nvestigations of those who seek and use information have been an important aspect of information science since its beginnings. Some reviewers of the literature point to studies as early as 1916, or even 1902, as the start of this genre. Whatever is the case, it is clear that the explosion of scientific and technical literature during and immediately after World War II created a situation in which attention to information seeking was inevitable. Even the rapid development of computing devices (starting in 1939) and their subsequent application to the storage and manipulation of text were not enough to fully solve the problems of dissemination in the area of scientific and technical information. Hence it was that the first blossoming of information seeking and use studies tended to focus on the behaviors of scientists and engineers. Reviews of studies of this population and their information-related practices appeared almost yearly during the 1960s and continued well into the 1970s. It was not until the mid-1960s (and even then, haltingly) that we began to see attention focused on others who worked with information and knowledge: social scientists, physicians, managers and humanities scholars. Even with an expansion of focus, these investigations tended to be descriptive in nature and oriented toward traditional channels such as libraries, journals and conferences and toward practical improvements in dissemination. A major shift in information behavior (IB) research occurred in the 1980s. While the early use studies focused on a particular system or service and its users, the new generation of studies placed the information seeker/user in the center and did not presume the use of a particular resource or set of resources. Some early studies had hinted at this shift in focus. For example, in 1968 Robert Taylor discussed psychological levels of information needs: visceral, conscious, formalized and compromised needs [1], and in 1973 Patrick Wilson defined the concept of situational relevance, that is, the relationship between an information object and an individual's personal situation and worldview [2]. Brenda Dervin [3] urged librarians to turn away from measuring \" library activities \" and \" user demographics, \" and instead work on understanding the situations that led people to seek information; Nicholas Belkin, Robert Oddy and H.M. Brooks [4] proposed an anomalous state of knowledge as motivating people's information seeking. Each of these scholars, in his or her own way, was pushing the field to take the perspective of …
TL;DR: The problem of transformation of a Mealy finite-state machine (FSM) into an equivalent Moore FSM is considered and the proposed approach uses the operation of splitting of internal states of an FSM and represents the machine as a list of transitions.
Abstract: The problem of transformation of a Mealy finite-state machine (FSM) into an equivalent Moore FSM is considered. This problem often arises in the practice of engineering design, when one needs to avoid direct dependence of the output values on variations in the input values. The proposed approach uses the operation of splitting of internal states of an FSM and represents the machine as a list of transitions. Experiment results have shown that transformation of Mealy FSM into Moore FSM increases the number of internal states, on the average, by a factor of 1.96 and increases the number of transitions by a factor of 2.05; the cost of realization of Moore FSM using an industrial software package is approximately twice as great as the corresponding cost for a Mealy machine. The up-to-date tendencies of development of minimization methods and Moore FSM synthesis are described.
TL;DR: In this paper, an assessment of the extent of public involvement in the FCC's media ownership hearings in 2006-07 was conducted through an analysis of the hearings' structure, the 732 public comments made in them, and the ensuing Report & Order (R&O).
Abstract: An assessment of the extent of public involvement in the FCC's media ownership hearings in 2006–07 was conducted through an analysis of the hearings' structure, the 732 public comments made in them, and the FCC's ensuing Report & Order (R&O). In light of the rising call for pluralism, direct democracy and public involvement in policy deliberations, the results reveal that the FCC consistently hindered public participation in the hearing process it initiated and managed through limited advance notice, inconvenient timing, a hearing structure that subordinated the public to experts and stakeholders, and scarce mention of public comment in the final report.
TL;DR: In this paper, a process of the selective leaching of nickel from low-sulfur Ni-Cu matte at atmospheric pressure was described, and the mineralogical characteristics of the matte in the process were analyzed by X-ray diffractometry, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the roles and characterizations of indigenous people in 67 television commercials from across the Guatemalan political spectrum and found that indigenous people are most often seen as "crowd members" and are never given important roles, such as "candidate endorser" or "undecided voter".
Abstract: This study investigates the current status of indigenous peoples within Guatemalan society, as articulatedin one of the most relevant forms of modern communication, political advertising,anddefinedbyoneofthemostrelevantformsofself-expressiontotheindigenous peoples of Guatemala, the traje. Using ethnographic content analysis, the study examines the roles and characterizations of indigenous people in 67 television commercials from across the Guatemalan political spectrum. Results indicate that indigenous people are most often seen as ‘‘crowd members,’’ and are never given important roles, such as ‘‘candidate endorser’’ or ‘‘undecided voter.’’ Overall, wearing traje is associated with helplessness and
TL;DR: For instance, this article examined the attitudes and beliefs of sports journalists in relation to their sense of mission, ethics and professionalism, and found that sports journalists are guided by a variety of tools, including codes of ethics and their own moral reasoning.
Abstract: Sports journalism has historically been described as a "toy department" vocation with little-to-no critical distance between reporters and the sports figures they cover, especially on the professional-sports beat.1 Yet, ethicists argue that journalists who cover sports, as part of the journalistic establishment, should shed this reputation.2 Thus, scholars suggest that sports journalists must also be accountable to the professional norms that advance the entire profession's credibility.3Research has demonstrated conflicting commitment to these norms by sports editors, who are the gatekeepers for mediated content in newspapers and on Web sites.4 Sports reporters, however, also make ethical decisions in the course of their work. These journalists have not received the same attention in regard to ethical decision-making as have editors and news reporters.5This research updates research examining the practices, beliefs and attitudes of sports journalists in relation to their sense of mission, ethics and professionalism. 6 Unlike earlier studies, it focuses on sports reporters and considers beat assignments in assessing their attitudes and values. Demands, opportunities and cultures for reporters can vary widely depending on the beat, such as one that focuses on amateur-high school, college or professional sports. Reporters covering professional sports have been most often criticized as engaging in journalistic conflicts of interest. This research explores that assumption.Ethics, Journalism and SportsProviding verified, newsworthy information professionally and ethically is described as the responsibility of journalists, who generally agree their roles are ideally to serve as a government watchdog, expose institutional wrongs and serve the public interest.7 Thus, reporters strive to maintain independence from those they cover and make their first loyalty the public.8 Journalism in the pursuit of public service has the power to cause change, to challenge corporate, individual and governmental wrongdoing and, as a result, to improve lives.9News reporters and editors make practical decisions about ethics daily.10 Journalists are guided by a variety of tools, including codes of ethics and their own moral reasoning.11 Most specific ethical guidelines-such as those found in the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) or The New York Times codes-focus on the idea of conflict of interest, described by Poynter Institute ethicist Bob Steele as "a soft spot in the underbelly of American journalism."12 Some newspapers, including The New York Times, have revised their codes to address conflict-of-interest issues such as political activism and gambling.13 The SPJ code, which has come to represent the industry's values, emphasizes independence and accountability.14 At a practical level, it offers such admonitions as "Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived" and "Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment."15 Journalists also take their cues from other sources, including the work environment and their journalism training.16 Decisions also appear to be largely based on contextual factors.17Sports JournalismThe culture in newspaper sports departments has long been criticized as different from that in the rest of the newsroom.18 Research has demonstrated, for instance, that sports editors agree with the idea that they should adhere to journalistic norms, but questions on specific issues show a gap between their endorsement and practice.19Some organizations have sought to close that gap. One such group is the Associated Press Sports Editors, which published a code of ethics in 1974 and revised it in 1991.20 The code forbids the acceptance of gifts, free travel and tickets from teams or individuals. The APSE code avoids topics such as membership in sports-related organizations-exclusive golf clubs, for instance-and gambling. Gambling, especially on games a sportswriter covers, has received little public attention from ethicists and editors, and most papers do not have a policy to address it. …
TL;DR: In this article, the preparation and humidity sensing of nickel-coated silicon microchannel plate (Ni/Si-MCP) materials are studied, and the results show that Ni/Si nanocomposites have high sensitivity and fast response time.
Abstract: The preparation and humidity sensing of nickel coated silicon microchannel plate (Ni/Si-MCP) materials are studied. The silicon MCP fabricated by electrochemical etching has ordered channels and macro-porous structures. Nickel is coated by electroless plating onto the inner wall of the silicon MCP for the detection of humidity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) are used to determine the structural and morphological properties. Our results show that the Ni/Si-MCP nanocomposites have high sensitivity and fast response time. They are compatible with current IC processes and have promising applications as integrated micro humidity sensors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of high modulus asphalt concrete on rutting is studied in view of mechanics; the cause of asphalt pavement track is closely related to pavement structure under load.
Abstract: The new ways of anti-rutting was put forward by improving modulus of asphalt concrete and the effect of HMAT(high modulus asphalt concrete) on rutting is studied in view of mechanics; The cause of asphalt pavement track is closely related to pavement structure under load. Starting from the mechanism of rutting, the mechanical property of HMAT and the effect of modulus in middle layer on the rutting were analyzed; the dynamic stability and modulus of HMAC were analyzed by text and the result show that Increase of the dynamic stability and modulus of HMAC went against rutting; The mechanism of pavement structure was analyzed by the numerical analysis show that the maximum shear stress occurred in middle layer of pavement structure according to mechanical calculation. HMAC can raise modulus of elasticity of middle layer. HMAC can also improve stress state of pavement structure, reduce shear strain and prevent asphalt pavement track.
TL;DR: This paper investigates the problem of robust exponential stability for neutral systems with time-varying delays and nonlinear perturbations with a novel Lyapunov functional approach and linear matrix inequality technique and derives a new delay-dependent stability condition.
Abstract: This paper investigates the problem of robust exponential stability for neutral systems with time-varying delays and nonlinear perturbations. Based on a novel Lyapunov functional approach and linear matrix inequality technique, a new delay-dependent stability condition is derived. Since the model transformation and bounding techniques for cross terms are avoided, the criteria proposed in this paper are less conservative than some previous approaches by using the free-weighting matrices. One numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
07 Jul 2010
TL;DR: A sliding mode controller for permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM) is investigated in this article, in which variable structure control and space vector modulation (SVM) are integrated to achieve high performance.
Abstract: A sliding mode controller for permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) is investigated in this paper, in which direct torque control (DTC) concept, variable structure control and space vector modulation (SVM) are integrated to achieve high performance. It features in very low flux and torque ripple, strong robustness and fixed switching frequency. Then, an FNN is investigated to optimize the control gain matrix of sliding mode controller. The inputs of the FNN are the switching surface and its derivative, and the output of the FNN is the estimated bound of uncertainties. The theoretical analyses for the proposed FNN sliding-mode controller are described in detail. Simulation results show that the proposed FNN sliding-mode controller provides high-performance dynamic characteristics and is robust with regard to plant parameter variations. Furthermore, comparing with the sliding-mode controller, the chattering phenomenon is much reduced by the proposed FNN sliding-mode controller.
01 Nov 2010
TL;DR: An analytical expression for the prediction of the parallel processing acquisition time based on spiral scan, which is correlated with the distribution function of satellite position, size of the uncertainty area, response time of terminals, link distance and beam divergence angle, is derived for satellite optical communication.
Abstract: An analytical expression for the prediction of the parallel processing acquisition time based on spiral scan, which is correlated with the distribution function of satellite position, size of the uncertainty area, response time of terminals, link distance and beam divergence angle, is derived for satellite optical communication in the process of acquisition. And correspondingly, the estimation of the serial processing acquisition time is also presented. These expressions allow us to optimize the performance of acquisition analytically. Then the average acquisition time is discussed as a function of link distance. The optimum acquisition mode is analyzed in term of the average acquisition time. Comparison and discussion of the two modes shows that there is an critical value of link distance, L 0 , which determines the optimum acquisition processing mode for optical communication systems. The results obtained here is useful in facilitating parametric estimation and optimization of acquisition system design.
01 Nov 2010
TL;DR: The design concept of a novel balanced ultra-wideband antenna is proposed, composed with a symmetrical dipole and balanced antipodal slot radiators and can be directly integrated with microwave differential circuits.
Abstract: Design concept of a novel balanced ultra-wideband antenna is proposed. The antenna is composed with a symmetrical dipole and balanced antipodal slot radiators and can be directly integrated with microwave differential circuits. Operation principle and performance of the antenna, such as return loss, radiation patterns and gain, are analyzed and simulated. As will be presented, the impedance bandwidth of the antenna is from 5.6GHz to 11.3GHz, which is about 2:1. Stable quasi-directional radiation patterns and flat gain performances over the operation bandwidth can be achieved. This antenna should be useful for 5.8GHz-band Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and European-standard UWB applications.
01 Nov 2010
TL;DR: A new fuzzy genetic algorithm (FGA) is developed to optimize Hilbert fractal defected ground structure (HDGS), designed bandstop filter, with large stop-band insertion loss and return loss, flat pass-band characteristics.
Abstract: A new fuzzy genetic algorithm (FGA) is developed to optimize Hilbert fractal defected ground structure (HDGS), designed bandstop filter The genetic operators (crossover and mutation) are self-adaptively adjusted by fuzzy controller of the algorithm, so convergent character and global optimization are improved Fitness function is constructed by the HDGS stopband and pass-band transmission characteristics S 21 S 21 is obtained by using PML- FDTD method To 500M-3GHz band center frequency of 24GHz, 200MHz bandwidth, the band stop filter is designed to target The simulation results show that this method than the traditional genetic algorithm, faster convergence rate, and bandstop filter designed HDGS with large stop-band insertion loss and return loss, flat pass-band characteristics
08 May 2010
TL;DR: In this paper, a broadband microstrip dipole antenna with shorted pin was experimentally presented and the bandwidth of the antenna has increased from 70MHz (3.5% bandwidth in 2GHz) to 190MHz (9.5%) by using a short-pin.
Abstract: A broadband microstrip dipole antenna loaded with shorted pin is experimentally presented in the paper. The bandwidth of the antenna has increased from 70MHz (3.5% bandwidth in 2GHz) to 190MHz (9.5% bandwidth in 2GHz) by using a shorted pin. With a vertical gain of 2.7dB and front-back gain of more than 5 dB, this broadband microstrip dipole antenna has features desirable in array application and mobile communication.
27 Mar 2010
TL;DR: A real-time IP position controller based on identified parameters is designed by neural network for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) servo system and shows that the proposed control scheme not only enhances the fast tracking performance, but also increases the robustness of the Servo system.
Abstract: In this paper, the state-space disturbance observer was successfully applied to servo motors to estimate and compensate for load variation. Furthermore, an auto-tuning procedure was developed accordingly to identify the varied parameters for state-space disturbance observer of the motor. Then, a real-time IP position controller based on identified parameters is designed by neural network for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) servo system. The neural networks configuration is simple and reasonable, and the weight has definitely physical meaning. It has rapidly adjusting character to realize the real-time control. The simulation results show that the proposed control scheme not only enhances the fast tracking performance, but also increases the robustness of the servo system.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Based on the analysis, the investment risk of Qiandong thermal power plant is analyzed by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation as discussed by the authors, which shows that the risk of the thermal power project is so low,so that it is a proper investment.
Abstract: Some risk factors effecting investment in the investment order of thermal power construction projects are analyzed.Based on the analysis,the investment risk of Qiandong thermal power plant is analyzed by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation.In order to avoid the loss of valuable information,the weighted average method is used to compute the comprehensive indices.An improved entropy weight is used to determine the weight vector of alternatives,which enhanced the flexibility of the method.The test result shows that the risk of the thermal power project is so low,so that it is a proper investment.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The results show that the learning automata-based algorithm can select channels with the best availability for cognitive users, increase the effective system throughput, and have better equity in resource allocation.
Abstract: A priority table of available channels in a network is structured by analyzing channel availability with cooperative spectrum sensing.Using this table,a channel selection learning algorithm based on the experience-weight attraction(EWA) game learning is proposed.Simulations are carried out to compare the learning automata-based algorithm with no-regret learning algorithm.The results show that,by learning historical experience,the algorithm can select channels with the best availability for cognitive users,increase the effective system throughput,and have better equity in resource allocation.
01 Nov 2010
TL;DR: Simulation results show that the proposed EWA game learning model channel selection learning algorithm can adaptively select channel with the best usability through the learning of historical experience, increase the throughput of system and have a better equity in the resource allocation.
Abstract: A priority table of available channels in network is structured with the analysis of the channel usability by cooperative spectrum sensing. With this table, we design an information exchange and access mechanism based on TDMA mode. We bring in the EWA(Experience-Weight Attraction) game learning model, and propose a channel selection learning algorithm based on the channel priority and the interference between cognitive radio users(CRUs). Simulation results compared with the learning automata based algorithm and no-regret learning algorithm show that the proposed algorithm can adaptively select channel with the best usability through the learning of historical experience, increase the throughput of system and have a better equity in the resource allocation.