Digital Commons Network^™

The Design And Implementation Of A Toolkit For The Creation Of Virtual Environments, Jesse Kinross-Smith

Theses : Honours

Virtual Reality is a field that is steadily increasing in popularity and interest. New developments in both hardware and software have empowered developers with new devices allowing faster and better quality interaction with virtual environments. However, the emphasis of research in virtual environments has been more concerned with development of new display and input devices, as opposed to the investigation of different methods of interaction that a three-dimensional environment offers. This project designs and implements a three-dimensional, interactive, virtual environment development system upon an existing three-dimensional rendering engine. The aim of the project is to allow users to generate virtual …

Captive Environmental Influences On Behavior In Zoo Drills And Mandrills (Mandrillus), A Threatened Genus Of Primate, Erik Terdal

Dissertations and Theses

Drills (Mandrillus leucophaeus) are an endangered species of African monkey (Cercopithecidae), and their sole congener the mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) is vulnerable to extinction. Both species are threatened in the wild by deforestation and hunting.

Drills have a poor record of captive reproduction. Many individuals appear to have behavioral deficiencies which interfere with reproduction. Thus, the zoo population of drills does not serve as a “hedge” against the species’ total extinction: drills are endangered in captivity as well as in the wild. Mandrills, by contrast, reproduce well in captivity. Information on the behavior of mandrills in captivity may help zoo managers …

People As Part Of Ecosystems, William E. Riebsame, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center

Books, Reports, and Studies

30 p. : ill. ; 28 cm

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 …

A Neural Network Approach To The Prediction And Confidence Assignation Of Nonlinear Time Series Classifications, Erin S. Heim

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses multiple layer perceptrons (MLP) neural networks and Kohonen clustering networks to predict and assign confidence to nonlinear time series classifications. The nonlinear time series used for analysis is the Standard and Poor's 100 (S&P 100) index. The target prediction is classification of the daily index change. Financial indicators were evaluated to determine the most useful combination of features for input into the networks. After evaluation it was determined that net changes in the index over time and three short-term indicators result in better accuracy. A back-propagation trained MLP neural network was then trained with these features to …

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.

Assessing The Health Of The Body Politic: Are The Cures Worse Than The Disease?, Margaret A. Shannon

Challenging Federal Ownership and Management: Public Lands and Public Benefits (October 11-13)

7 pages.

Contains footnotes.

Agenda: Challenging Federal Ownership And Management: Public Lands And Public Benefits, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center

Challenging Federal Ownership and Management: Public Lands and Public Benefits (October 11-13)

Conference organizers, speakers and/or moderators included University of Colorado School of Law professors David H. Getches, Michael A. Gheleta, Teresa Rice, Elizabeth Ann (Betsy) Rieke and Charles F. Wilkinson.

In the face of numerous proposals for privatizing, marketing, and changing the management of public lands, the Natural Resources Law Center will hold its third annual fall public lands conference October 11-13, at the CU School of Law in Boulder.

A panel of public land users and neighbors, including timber, grazing, mining, recreation, and environmental interests, will address current discontent with public land policy and management. There will also be discussion …

Attitudes Of Students To Independent Learning, S. Kenneth Houston

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 37 Number 4, Fall 1995, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

8 - OF QUARKS, OBJECT IDENTIFICATION, AND PORPHYRIN MOLECULES SCU undergraduates get a taste of scientific research. By Miriam Schulman

14 - WHAT'S YOUR BOTTOM LINE? By investing in mutual funds that reflect their values, an increasing number of shareholders hope to put their money where their morals are. But can socially responsible investing really change the world? By Jeff Brazil ' 85

22 - A BIG ENOUGH UMBRELLA Tens of thousands of women from around the world gather for a unifying-albeit rainy- conference in China. Photographs By Kim Johnson ' 87

26 - THE ART OF MATHEMATICS For every …

Student Fact Book, Fall 1995, Wright State University, Office Of Student Information Systems, Wright State University

Wright State University Student Fact Books

The student fact book has general demographic information on all students enrolled at Wright State University for Fall Quarter, 1995.

A Provably Convergent Dynamic Training Method For Multi-Layer Perceptron Networks, Timothy L. Andersen, Tony R. Martinez

Faculty Publications

This paper presents a new method for training multi-layer perceptron networks called DMP1 (Dynamic Multilayer Perceptron 1). The method is based upon a divide and conquer approach which builds networks in the form of binary trees, dynamically allocating nodes and layers as needed. The individual nodes of the network are trained using a genetic algorithm. The method is capable of handling real-valued inputs and a proof is given concerning its convergence properties of the basic model. Simulation results show that DMP1 performs favorably in comparison with other learning algorithms.

Vrware Beware: Vr At Siggraph, P.D. Quick

SWITCH

The article uses the author’s experiences from the event of Siggraph ‘95 to comment on upcoming products using virtual or augmented reality. The article includes further discussion on the products’ effects on the psychology and physiology of consumers. Some examples include the “i-Glasses” from Virtual I/O, the “Smart Model” from Multigen, as well as the nanomanipulator created by University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Department of Computer Science, and the Phobia Project developed by the Georgia Tech Graphics Visualization and Usability Center. The article also covers not only the products of this event, but also the courses, panels, papers, and …

The Implementation Of Federal Government Policy In The Reuse Planning Of Military Installations: A Case Study Of Gentile Air Force Station, John L. Hoover

Theses and Dissertations

Local communities affected by a base closure are uncertain as to their future and look to the federal government for guidance and economic assistance in rebuilding their local economy. The local communities want to close the base with as little federal government interference as possible and convert the base to civilian use with as much federal financial assistance as possible. During 1993-1994 two Air Force Institute of Technology research teams began longitudinal case studies of the base closure and rescue process at Gentile Air Force Station, Ohio to determine the effectiveness of the federal government's current approach. These research teams …

Experiments On Chemical Control Of Behavior In Brown Tree Snakes, David Chiszar, Gordon H. Rodda, Hobart M. Smith

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

The brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis), accidentally introduced on Guam shortly after World War 11, is the target of extensive efforts aimed at reducing populations and preventing their spread to other Pacific islands. Chemical attractants and repellents have been investigated, and this paper presents an overview of current knowledge. In particular, chemical cues that have strong effects in laboratory tests have had only modest (though significant) effects in field tests on Guam. Reasons for the different outcomes of laboratory and field studies are discussed along with recommendations for the redesign of laboratory experiments.

Contributors

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Contributors

Norway Rats' Communication About Foods And Feeding Sites, Bennett G. Galef Jr.

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

After interacting with a recently fed "demonstrator" rat (Rattus norvegicus), a naive "observer" rat exhibits substantial enhancement of its preference for whatever food its demonstrator ate. Such social effects on food preference in rats are surprisingly robust and able to reverse both congenital flavor preferences and poison-induced, learned flavor aversions. Analysis of the pheromonal signals emitted by demonstrator rats that alter the food preferences of their observers indicates that experience of CS₂ (a substance present in rat breath) together with the odor of a food is sufficient to enhance an observer rat's subsequent preference for the food. …

Repellents: Integrating Sensory Modalities, Michael L. Avery

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Recommendations for managing wildlife damage situations often involve application of multiple methods or techniques. The basis for such recommendations is unclear as there is little evidence that such combinations of methods work more effectively than the individual methods alone. In order to improve beyond hit or miss repellent applications, we should adopt principles exhibited in nature and develop repellent treatments based on the design of signals used in animal communications. In particular, characteristics that increase detectability, discriminability, and memorability should be identified and incorporated into repellent design. To do so, the sensory capabilities of the target species need to be …

Repellency Of Plant, Natural Products, And Predator Odors To Woodchucks, N. Jay Bean, Wyatt L. Korff, J. Russell Mason

National Wildlife Research Center Repellents Conference 1995

Woodchuck (Marmota monax) damage to lawns, gardens, orchards, and other agricultural areas is of concern to homeowners and fanners throughout the northeastern region of the United States. Currently, the only effective control methods are live-trapping and relocation, shooting, or lethal trapping. Each of these techniques, though effective, has drawbacks that limit its use in residential areas. Using odors to repel the animals could provide a nonlethal option to help mitigate the vegetation and property damage caused by these animals. For this reason, we studied the repellency of several commonly available odorants to repel woodchucks. Nine different burrow sites …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Effect Of Expert Decision Analyses And Explanations Support On Consensus And Decision Accuracy In Small Groups, Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah, I. Benbasat

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

An Expert Support System (ESS) provides expert advice to complement the knowledge of the decision maker, and is intended to support , rather than replace, the decision maker. The ESS technology provides two fundamental functions: (1) the ability to perform analyses and draw conclusions by providing users with expert opinions, judgments, evaluations and advice; (2) the ability to explain its reasoning and conclusions. The usefulness of expert support technology has been evaluated in a number of empirical studies. However these studies either examined the organizational impact of the technology [e.g., 1] or the use of the technology by single individuals …

Comparison Of System Identification Techniques For The Dexterous Orbital Servicing System (Doss), Allan Terrence Morris

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The major contribution of system identification is the development of analytical models of a system. Many identification techniques can adequately describe the input and output map. One of the challenges of these techniques is to correctly infer from the measured data the characteristics of the individual, contributing components producing a more accurate system model.

In this thesis linear, dynamic, multivariable state-space models for three joints of the Dexterous Orbital Servicing System (DOSS) are identified. DOSS is a representative space station manipulator at the NASA Langley Research Center. The dynamic models of the manipulator will first be estimated by applying nonparametric …

Sustainable Use Of The Denver Basin, Charles B. White

Sustainable Use of the West's Water (Summer Conference, June 12-14)

20 pages.

Contains footnotes.

Table Of Contents Volume Six, Number Three, Summer 1995, Risk Editorial Board

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Table of contents for the journal RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (ISSN: 1073-8673)

Decision Analysis And Fda Drug Review: A Proposal For Shadow Advisory Committees, John M. Mendeloff

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

The FDA seems to acknowledge that sometimes different standards of proof for assessing drug efficacy should be used. Dr. Mendeloff thus proposes a methodology that might illuminate the FDA's decision-making and help better to assess its decisions.

Examination Of Knowledge And Attitudes About Human Sexuality As Predictors Of Adolescent Sexual Behavior, Diane Waymire

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study investigated the variables influencing adolescent sexual behavior. Using cognitive learning theory, social learning theory, and social development as an organizing framework, factors influencing adolescent sexual behavior and the respondent's personal demographics were examined for their contribution to explaining adolescent decision-making about sexual activity.

A convenience sample of high school students from a Riverside county school district provided data for the study. Data was gathered by using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 55 students from two of the three school sites within the district participated in the study during the winter quarter of 1995.

The findings of the …

Present Risk, Future Risk Or No Risk - Measuring And Predicting Perceptions Of Health Risks Of A Hazardous Waste Landfill, William K. Hallman, Abraham H. Wandersman

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Given that perceived risk is multidimensional, the authors seek better understanding by focusing on health risks and, more particularly, on their temporality. In this way, they attempt to measure more meaningfully psychological influences on risk perceptions.

Ranking Risks, Baruch Fischhoff

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Dr. Fischhoff considers the role of government in helping citizens manage risks. He then offers a general procedure for risk ranking and concludes by discussing what can be done with a list of risks.

The Role Of The Unconscious In The Perception Of Risks, Andrew F. Fritzsche

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Dr. Fritzsche argues that our world is too "rational" and that the psychology of the unconscious, as developed by Jung, can be key to understanding responses to hazards and to resolving conflicts that arise in the political management of risks.

Neural And Neuro-Fuzzy Approaches To Support ``Intelligent'' Scientific Problem Solving, Anupam Joshi, Sanjiva Weerawarana, Narendran Ramakrishnan, Elias N. Houstis, John R. Rice

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Epidemiological Study Of Road Traffic Accidents, Casualties And Fatalities In The United Arab Emirates, Ahmed Saif Al-Falasi

Theses

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with its rapid expansion of road construction and increase in the number of vehicle, road traffic accidents are becoming a serious public health problem. It was aimed to study road traffic accidents (RTA) in view of the fact that cause a substantial waste of national resources which could be used fruitfully for the improvement of health schemes and other aspects of life in UAE. It was observed that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of registered vehicles during this period. During the ten years period 1983 to 1992, the population of …