Taking notes is of uttermost importance in academic and commercial use and success. Different techniques for note-taking utilise different cognitive processes and strategies. This experimental study examined ways to enhance cognitive performance via different note-taking techniques. By comparing performances of traditional, linear style note-taking with alternative nonlinear technique, we aimed to examine the efficiency and importance of different ways of taking notes. Twenty-six volunteer adult learners from an information management course participated in this study. Cognitive performance scores from a traditional linear note-taking group were compared with another group by using a commercially available non-linear note-taking technique. Both groups were tested in two settings: after a classroom lecture and a panel forum discussion. Tasks included measures on story comprehension, memory, complexity of mental representations and metacognitive skills. Data analysis revealed that the non-linear note-takers were significantly better than the linear group both in terms of the quantity and the quality of the learned material. This study demonstrates the importance of using cognitively compatible note-taking techniques. It identifies the cognitive mechanisms behind effective note-taking and knowledge representation. Using such techniques enables deeper understanding and more integrated knowledge management. BackgroundNote taking is one of the first and most established cognitive technology (Dror, 2007). As such, it offloads cognitive processes and extends our 'in head' cognitive abilities (Dror & Harnad, 2008). A great controversy in academic performance is that although students rely vastly on their information acquisition and representational skills (Armbruster, 2000), their note-taking efficiency is only around 20-40% in a typical

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Hybrid control measures are optimized for collocated and multivariable attenuation of vibratory energy in a typical aircraft panel. Design techniques first optimize collocated hybrid controllers combining active and passive technology on the same footprint. These techniques are then extended to multivariable hybrid controllers containing at least two pairs of actuators and sensors in addition to passive damping. An optimization routine based on an energy-balancing cost metric selects active and passive control elements to minimize both the broadband vibratory energy of the structure and the weight, volume, and energy use of the control system. Further, optimization of inherent energy exchanges within the hybrid controller allows more aggressive, targeted, active control with minimal passive damping treatment. Optimization reveals idealized placements, sizes, and orientations of active and passive control elements. Active piezoceramic patches partner with passive constrained-layer damping treatment to extend and demonstrate the potential of optimal hybrid vibration control.

Loudspeakers tuned as optimal acoustic absorbers can significantly reduce damaging, low frequency, reverberant noise in a full-scale launch vehicle fairing. Irregular geometry, changing payloads, and the compliant nature of the fairing hinder effective implementation of a passively tuned loudspeaker. A method of tuning the loudspeaker dynamics in real time is required to meet the application requirements. Through system identification, the dynamics of the enclosure can be identified and used to tune the dynamics of the loudspeaker for reduction of targeted, high intensity, low-frequency modes that dominate the acoustic response in the fairing. A loudspeaker model with desired dynamics serves as the reference model in a control law designed to tune the dynamics of a non-ideal loudspeaker to act as an optimal tuned absorber. Experimental results indicate that a tuned loudspeaker placed in the nose cone of the fairing significantly reduces acoustic energy and verifies results calculated from the simulation.