Digital Commons Network^™

Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs: An Assessment Of Public Participation As A Means Of Fostering Environmental Stewardship, Christopher Damon

Marine Affairs Theses and Major Papers

Volunteer water quality monitoring organizations from across the country were surveyed (n=516) to determine the relationship between public involvement and the generation of stewardship within the community. Program coordinators were asked first to rate the level of stewardship values within the community, and then respond to questions covering four broad areas of public involvement: pre-existing conditions, public education, volunteer behavior, and communal involvement. For each question, organizations were aggregated by response, and a frequency analysis was performed to discover the most common responses in each of the four public involvement categories. the mean of perceived stewardship values was graphed as …

Automatic Pcb Inspection Algorithms: A Survey, Madhav Moganti, Fikret Ercal, Cihan H. Dagli, Shou Tsunekawa

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

The importance of the inspection process has been magnified by the requirements of the modern manufacturing environment. In electronics mass-production manufacturing facilities, an attempt is often made to achieve 100% quality assurance of all parts, subassemblies, and finished goods. A variety of approaches for automated visual inspection of printed circuits have been reported over the past two decades. In this survey, algorithms and techniques for the automated inspection of printed circuit boards are examined. A classification tree for these algorithms is presented and the algorithms are grouped according to this classification. This survey concentrates mainly on image analysis and fault …

Towards A Model For Software Project Estimating, Stuart Hope

Theses : Honours

The use and development of software is an integral and critical part of modern industrial society. The outcomes of many software development and maintenance projects have been less than satisfactory with significant numbers being over schedule, lacking in functionality and over budget. These problems are the result of poor management of both the process and the product. One of the major problems to overcome in the management of software development projects is the ability to predict the outcomes early in the project when there are a large number of unknowns. The ability to reliably predict the outcomes in a repeatable …

Arbitrary Views Of High-Dimensional Space And Data, Andrew Ellerton

Theses : Honours

Computer generated images of three dimensional scenes objects are the result of parallel/perspective projections of the objects onto a two dimensional plane. The computational techniques may be extended to project n-dimensional hyperobjects onto (n-1) dimensions, for n > 3. Projection to one less dimension may be applied recursively for data of any high dimension until that data is two-dimensional, when it may be directed to a computer screen or to some other two-dimensional output device. Arbitrary specification of eye location, target location, field-of-view angles and other parameters provide flexibility, so that data may be viewed-and hence perceived-in previously unavailable ways. However, …

Tau Hadronic Branching Ratios, D. Buskulic, M. Thulasidas

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

From 64492 selected τ-pair events, produced at the Z0 resonance, the measurement of the tau decays into hadrons from a global analysis using 1991, 1992 and 1993 ALEPH data is presented. Special emphasis is given to the reconstruction of photons and π0s, and the removal of fake photons. A detailed study of the systematics entering the π0 reconstruction is also given. A complete and consistent set of tau hadronic branching ratios is presented for 18 exclusive modes. Most measurements are more precise than the present world average. The new level of precision reached allows a stringent test τ-μ, universality in …

A Policy-Independent Secure X Server, Kirk Joseph Bittler

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis demonstrates that a secure X system can be designed and implemented to be independent of a particular security policy. The advantages and costs of a separation of security policy and enforcement are examined by developing a large scale application, the DX windowing system, on a DTOS platform. DTOS is a high assurance operating system that isolates policy decisions in a Security Server. A security conscious process, such as DX, eliminates policy considerations from the code. The process instead consults the Security Server and enforces the decisions that server derives from the policy. The DX architecture is described and …

Application Of Autoregressive Moving Average Linear Prediction Filters To The Characterization Of Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Coupling, Carter N. Borst

Theses and Dissertations

Linear prediction filtering techniques have been used in studying the coupling processes between the solar wind and magnetosphere. The magnetosphere is a complex, dynamic system with at least two independent coupling methods for energy input, driven and unloading. Linear models were built and tested on the Bargatze data set, consisting of over 70 days of geomagnetic indices and solar wind data ordered in 34 intervals of increasing geomagnetic activity. Linear filtering techniques employing single-and multiple-input, autoregressive models predicted values of the magnetic index AL from solar wind data. The impulse response curves of the AL-coupling function groups showed amplitude peaks …

Embedded Particle Computation In Evolved Cellular Automata, Wim Hordijk, James P. Crutchfield, Melanie Mitchell

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

In our work we are studying how genetic algorithms (GAs) can evolve cellular automata (CAs) to perform computations that require global coordination. The evolving cellular automata" framework is an idealized means for studying how evolution (natural or computational) can create systems that perform emergent computation, in which the actions of simple components with local information and communication give rise to coordinated global information processing [3].

In previous work [4, 5], we analyzed the process by which a genetic algorithm designed CAs to perform particular tasks. In this paper we focus on how these CAs implement the emergent computational strategies for …

Simulation Modeling Within Workflow Technology, John A. Miller, Amit P. Sheth, Krzysztof J. Kochut, Xuzhong Wang, Arun Murugan

Kno.e.sis Publications

This paper presents an approach for integrating simulation modeling and analysis capabilities within the workflow management system (WFMS) being developed in the Large Scale Distributed Information Systems (LSDIS) Lab at the University of Georgia. Simulation modeling can be used for studying the efficiency of workflow designs as well as studying the general performance and reliability of WFMSs. We also discuss the importance of using sophisticated monitoring and animation capabilities, and the use of workflow management technology to advance simulation technology itself. Finally, we demonstrate a sample simulation where tasks and task managers are simulated.

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 11, Number 10, December 1995, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A twelve page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Secure Trapdoor Hash Functions Based On Public-Key Cryptosystems, Gary R. Greenfield, Sarah Agnes Spence

Department of Math & Statistics Technical Report Series

In this paper we systematically consider examples representative of the various families of public-key cryptosystems to see if it would be possible to incorporate them into trapdoor hash functions, and we attempt to evaluate the resulting strengths and weaknesses of the functions we are able to construct. We are motivated by the following question:

Question 1.2 How likely is it that the discoverer of a heretofore unknown public-key cryptosystem could subvert it for use in a plausible secure trapdoor hash algorithm?

In subsequent sections, our investigations will lead to a variety of constructions and bring to light the non-adaptability of …

The Application Of Hybridized Genetic Algorithms To The Protein Folding Problem, Robert L. Gaulke

Theses and Dissertations

The protein folding problem consists of attempting to determine the native conformation of a protein given its primary structure. This study examines various methods of hybridizing a genetic algorithm implementation in order to minimize an energy function and predict the conformation (structure) of Met-enkephalin. Genetic Algorithms are semi-optimal algorithms designed to explore and exploit a search space. The genetic algorithm uses selection, recombination, and mutation operators on populations of strings which represent possible solutions to the given problem. One step in solving the protein folding problem is the design of efficient energy minimization techniques. A conjugate gradient minimization technique is …

The Effects Of Conceptual And Logical Interfaces On Visual Query Performance Of End Users, Keng Siau, H. Chan, K. Wei

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

To the end users, the interface is the system. A better interface not only facilitates end user interaction with the database, it also enables them to formulate queries more efficiently and effectively. Two of the most important user-database interfaces are the conceptual and logical interfaces. With the conceptual interface, the user communicates with tile database system in terms ofentities, objects and relationships. On the other hand, the current user-database interaction is mainly based on the logical interface where the user expresses the queries in terms of relations and join operations. Because the concepts at the logical iliterface are abstract and …

Semantic Interpretation Of An Artificial Neural Network, Stanley D. Kinderknecht

Theses and Dissertations

Recent advances in machine learning theory have opened the door for applications to many difficult problem domains. One area that has achieved great success for stock market analysis/prediction is artificial neural networks. However, knowledge embedded in the neural network is not easily translated into symbolic form. Recent research, exploring the viability of merging artificial neural networks with traditional rule-based expert systems, has achieved limited success. In particular, extracting production (IF.. THEN) rules from a trained neural net based on connection weights provides a valid set of rules only when neuron outputs are close to 0 or 1 (e.g. the output …

Deriving Optimal Solutions From Incomplete Knowledge Bases, Shawn A. Northrop

Theses and Dissertations

Many real world domains cannot be represented using Bayesian Networks due to the need for complete probability tables and acyclic knowledge. However, Bayesian Knowledge Bases (BKBs) are a viable method for representing these incomplete domains, but very little research has been performed on inferencing with them. This paper presents three inference engines for extracting optimal solutions from three distinct BKB subclasses: singly- connected, multiply-connected with mutually exclusive cycles, and cyclic. The singly-connected inference engine has a worst case polynomial run time. Performance improvement techniques for increasing inference engine speed are discussed, in addition to a new tool for measuring incompleteness …

Neural Network Analysis Of Chemical Compounds In Nonrebreathing Fisher-344 Rat Breath, Robert E. Sackett Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This research applies statistical and artificial neural network analysis to data obtained from measurement of organic compounds in the breath of a Fisher-344 rat. The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) developed a breath collection system for use with rats in order to collect and determine volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exhaled. The RTI study tested the hypothesis that VOCs, including endogenous compounds, in breath can serve as markers to exposure to various chemical compounds such as drugs, pesticides, or carcinogens normally foreign to living organisms. From a comparative analysis of chromatograms, it was concluded that the administration of carbon tetrachloride dramatically altered …

Temporal Influence On Awareness, Don E. Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Grossberg's Motion Oriented Contrast Filter (MOC) was extensively analyzed (7). The output from the filter's "global motion" neuronal layer was compared to a noncausal post-processing filter developed by AFIT. Both filters were shown to incorporate a weighted, noncausal temporal range of input data in processed output. The global motion framework was then implemented using a physiologically motivated pulsed neural model - the Pulse Coupled Neural Network (PCNN). By incorporating both spatial and temporal data, the PCNN was shown to exhibit a common visual illusion, apparent motion. The existence of a physiological temporal processing range was further investigated through implementation of …

Dynamic Transfer Of Control Between Manned And Unmanned Simulation Actors, Neal W. Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis continues the ongoing research at the Air Force Institute of Technology's Virtual Environments Laboratory in the area of distributed simulation. As the relevance and interest of interactive simulation as a training medium continues to grow, there is a pressing need to provide more realistic and numerous intelligent autonomous agents for simulations. As those autonomous agents mature and become more realistic, the need exists to be able to handle individual agents by taking control of them and operating them as manned agents at certain points within the simulation. The author started with a protocol proposed in a working draft …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 11, Number 9, November 1995, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A twelve page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

Intelligent Multimedia Tutoring For Manufacturing Education, Erika Rogers, Yolanda Kennedy, T. Walton, P. Nelms, I. Sherry

Computer Science and Software Engineering

This paper describes current work on the design and implementation of intelligent multimedia tutoring modules which are intended to supplement short training courses in Nondestructive Inspection for the Boeing Defense and Space group.

Multimedia In Manufacturing Education Mime, Chris Thompson, Laurie Hodges, Wayne Daley, Erika Rogers

Computer Science and Software Engineering

This paper describes a project funded by the Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP) under the manufacturing education component (MET) to design, build, and evaluate interactive multimedia courseware for manufacturing education. Interactive multimedia is defined as the combination of computer based text, sound, graphics, animation, video, and simulation, commercial and defense industries along with a professional society are collaborating on the project in an effort to address important dual-use issues. Advanced media technologies are being exploited to create virtual, time shifted, and/or remote visits to real world manufacturing systems. The foundations for our efforts and the experiences in the first year of …

On The Impact Of Forgetting On Learning Machines, Rūsiņš Freivalds, Efim Kinber, Carl H. Smith

School of Computer Science & Engineering Faculty Publications

People tend not to have perfect memories when it comes to learning, or to anything else for that matter. Most formal studies of learning, however, assume a perfect memory. Some approaches have restricted the number of items that could be retained. We introduce a complexity theoretic accounting of memory utilization by learning machines. In our new model, memory is measured in bits as a function of the size of the input. There is a hierarchy of learnability based on increasing memory allotment. The lower bound results are proved using an unusual combination of pumping and mutual recursion theorem arguments. For …

Measurement Of The Bs0 Lifetime And Production Rate With Ds- ℓ+ Combinations In Z Decays, D. Buskulic, M. Thulasidas

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

A precise determination of the effective Bs0→K+K− lifetime can be used to constrain contributions from physics beyond the Standard Model in the Bs0 meson system. Conventional approaches select B meson decay products that are significantly displaced from the B meson production vertex. As a consequence, B mesons with low decay times are suppressed, introducing a bias to the decay time spectrum which must be corrected. This analysis uses a technique that explicitly avoids a lifetime bias by using a neural network based trigger and event selection. Using 1.0fb−1 of data recorded by the LHCb experiment, the effective Bs0→K+K− lifetime is …

Intelligent Control Of Vehicles: Preliminary Results On The Application Of Learning Automata Techniques To Automated Highway System, Cem Unsal, John S. Bay, Pushkin Kachroo

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Research

We suggest an intelligent controller for an automated vehicle to plan its own trajectory based on sensor and communication data received. Our intelligent controller is based on an artificial intelligence technique called learning stochastic automata. The automaton can learn the best possible action to avoid collisions using the data received from on-board sensors. The system has the advantage of being able to work in unmodeled stochastic environments. Simulations for the lateral control of a vehicle using this AI method provides encouraging results.

Quality Of Service Specification For Multimedia Presentations, Richard Staehli, Jonathan Walpole, David Maier

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The bandwidth limitations of multimedia systems force tradeoffs between presentation data fidelity and real-time performance. For example, digital video is commonly encoded with lossy compression to reduce bandwidth and frames may be skipped during playback to maintain synchronization. These tradeoffs depend on device performance and physical data representations that are hidden by a database system. If a multimedia database is to support digital video and other continuous media data types, we argue that the database should provide a Quality of Service (QOS) interface to allow application control of presentation timing and information loss tradeoffs.

This paper proposes a data model …

Automatic Visual Recognition Using Parallel Machines, Yui-Liang Chen

Dissertations

Invariant features and quick matching algorithms are two major concerns in the area of automatic visual recognition. The former reduces the size of an established model database, and the latter shortens the computation time. This dissertation, will discussed both line invariants under perspective projection and parallel implementation of a dynamic programming technique for shape recognition. The feasibility of using parallel machines can be demonstrated through the dramatically reduced time complexity.

In this dissertation, our algorithms are implemented on the AP1000 MIMD parallel machines. For processing an object with a features, the time complexity of the proposed parallel algorithm is O(n) …

Automatic Office Document Classification And Information Extraction, Xiaolong Hao

Dissertations

TEXPR.OS (TEXt PROcessing System) is a document processing system (DPS) to support and assist office workers in their daily work in dealing with information and document management. In this thesis, document classification and information extraction, which are two of the major functional capabilities in TEXPROS, are investigated.

Based on the nature of its content, a document is divided into structured and unstructured (i.e., of free text) parts. The conceptual and content structures are introduced to capture the semantics of the structured and unstructured part of the document respectively. The document is classified and information is extracted based on the analyses …

Estimating Time Available For Sensor Fusion Exception Handling, Robin R. Murphy, Erika Rogers

Computer Science and Software Engineering

In previous work, we have developed a generate, test, and debug methodology for detecting, classifying, and responding to sensing failures in autonomous and semi-autonomous mobile robots. An important issue has arisen from these efforts: how much time is there available to classify the cause of the failure and determine an alternative sensing strategy before the robot mission must be terminated?

In this paper, we consider the impact of time for teleoperation applications where a remote robot attempts to autonomously maintain sensing in the presence of failures yet has the option to contact the local for further assistance. Time limits are …

Wright State University College Of Engineering And Computer Science Bits And Pcs Newsletter, Volume 11, Number 8, October 1995, College Of Engineering And Computer Science, Wright State University

BITs and PCs Newsletter

A ten page newsletter created by the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science that addresses the current affairs of the college.

An Evaluation Of Transmitting Compressed Images In A Wide Area Network, Melliyal Annamalai, Bharat Bhargava

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.