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Theory Of Effectiveness Measurement, Richard K. Bullock Sep 2006

Theory Of Effectiveness Measurement, Richard K. Bullock

Theses and Dissertations

Effectiveness measures provide decision makers feedback on the impact of deliberate actions and affect critical issues such as allocation of scarce resources, as well as whether to maintain or change existing strategy. Currently, however, there is no formal foundation for formulating effectiveness measures. This research presents a new framework for effectiveness measurement from both a theoretical and practical view. First, accepted effects-based principles, as well as fundamental measurement concepts are combined into a general, domain independent, effectiveness measurement methodology. This is accomplished by defining effectiveness measurement as the difference, or conceptual distance from a given system state to some reference …


Statistical Approach To Background Subtraction For Production Of High-Quality Silhouettes For Human Gait Recognition, Jennifer J. Samler Sep 2006

Statistical Approach To Background Subtraction For Production Of High-Quality Silhouettes For Human Gait Recognition, Jennifer J. Samler

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses a background subtraction to produce high-quality silhouettes for use in human identification by human gait recognition, an identification method which does not require contact with an individual and which can be done from a distance. A statistical method which reduces the noise level is employed resulting in cleaner silhouettes which facilitate identification. The thesis starts with gathering video data of individuals walking normally across a background scene. From there the video is converted into a sequence of images that are stored as joint photographic experts group (jpeg) files. The background is subtracted from each image using a …


Small Sample Confidence Intervals In Log Space Back-Transformed From Normal Space, Jason E. Tisdel Jun 2006

Small Sample Confidence Intervals In Log Space Back-Transformed From Normal Space, Jason E. Tisdel

Theses and Dissertations

The logarithmic transformation is commonly applied to a lognormal data set to improve symmetry, homoscedasticity, and linearity. Simple to implement and easy to understand, the logarithm function transforms the original data to closely resemble a normal distribution. Analysis in the normal space provides point estimates and confidence intervals, but transformation back to the original space using the naive approach yields confidence intervals of impractical width. The naive approach offers results that are often inadequate for practical purpose. We present an alternative approach that provides improved results in the form of decreased interval width, increased confidence level, or both. Our alternative …


The Longitudinal Effect Of Self-Monitoring And Locus Of Control On Social Network Position In Friendship Networks, Gary J. Moore Mar 2006

The Longitudinal Effect Of Self-Monitoring And Locus Of Control On Social Network Position In Friendship Networks, Gary J. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify how enduring personality characteristics predict a person's location in a network, locations which in turn affect outcomes such as performance. Specifically, this thesis examines how self-monitoring and locus of control influence an individual's location in a friendship social network over time. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to analyze 28 groups of students and instructors at a military training course over six and one half weeks. Self-monitoring predicted betweenness centrality in five of six time periods while locus of control predicted betweenness centrality in three of six time periods. The moderation of …


Optimization Of A Multi-Echelon Repair System Via Generalized Pattern Search With Ranking And Selection: A Computational Study, Derek D. Tharaldson Mar 2006

Optimization Of A Multi-Echelon Repair System Via Generalized Pattern Search With Ranking And Selection: A Computational Study, Derek D. Tharaldson

Theses and Dissertations

With increasing developments in computer technology and available software, simulation is becoming a widely used tool to model, analyze, and improve a real world system or process. However, simulation in itself is not an optimization approach. Common optimization procedures require either an explicit mathematical formulation or numerous function evaluations at improving iterative points. Mathematical formulation is generally impossible for problems where simulation is relevant, which are characteristically the types of problems that arise in practical applications. Further complicating matters is the variability in the simulation response which can cause problems in iterative techniques using the simulation model as a function …