Digital Commons Network^™

Performance Comparison Of Hyperspectral Target Detection Algorithms, Adam Cisz

Theses

This thesis performs a performance comparison on existing hyperspectral target detection algorithms. The algorithms chosen for this analysis include multiple adaptive matched filters and the physics based modeling invariant technique. The adaptive matched filter algorithms can be divided into either structured (geometrical) or unstructured (statistical) algorithms. The difference between these two categories is in the manner in which the background is characterized. The target detection procedure includes multiple pre-processing steps that are examined here as well. The effects of atmospheric compensation, dimensionality reduction, background characterization, and target subspace creation are all analyzed in terms of target detection performance. At each …

Search Optimization Techniques In The Creation Of An Online Store Website, Anna Y. Boriskina

Theses

Business organizations involved in e-commerce recognize the importance of how commerce searches are conducted by individual customers. In 2005, 80% of all Website visits began with Internet searching. Altering a Website so that it ranks higher for particular terms used in Web searches is called 'search engine optimization.' The present study investigates how search engine marketing activities may result in higher rankings by such search engines as Google, Yahoo, MSN and Ask. One method of search engine marketing is illustrated by optimizing a new Website, www.thelightingdivision.com. The results may interest online marketers and search engine optimizers wishing to increase the …

Near-Surface Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Christina L. Bray

Theses

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are well established techniques. Both require samples to be placed inside spatially-homogeneous static magnetic and radio frequency magnetic fields. This research focuses on applying the principles of NMR spectroscopy and imaging to design a system that can produce images of the NMR signal from a sample placed adjacent to it. The long term goal is to image at distances of meters from the device. The specific application of interest is locating buried utilities in fully-hydrated soils by identifying non-signal bearing features in an NMR signal rich background. This thesis asserts …

Patterns Of Habitat Use By Primates In Eastern Ecuador, Seema Nayan Sheth

Theses

Lowland tropical rain forests of western Amazonia are characterized by the most speciose primate communities in the Neotropics, immediately leading to the question of to what extent does niche partitioning by primate species serve as a mechanism to promote species co-existence. Because the primate assemblages that we observe today reflect a combination of ecological and evolutionary processes, this study examines habitat occupancy and its relationship to phylogeny and space in a diverse diurnal primate community in an undisturbed lowland rain forest of Amazonian Ecuador. Specifically, the following null hypotheses are explored as potential factors that shape community structure: (1) mean …

Deaf Japanese-Americans During World War Ii, Mikhael Rosenberg

Theses

Many teachers are using primary source documents in their social studies classrooms to compliment the standard issued textbooks. Primary sources include, but are not limited to: govenunent documents, pictures, posters, documentaries, and personal interviews. Research shows when teachers use primary sources in their instructions, their students become more engaged with the course. Research shows when teachers use primary sources in their instructions, their students become more engaged with the course. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between student engagement in the course and student achievement in the class. When historical primary sources related to deaf individuals are used to supplement …

Environmental Policy In Jordan : Analysis, Gap Identification, And Strategies For Improvement, Diana Saed

Theses

Jordan is a country with a tremendously fragile environment. It faces substantial environmental challenges due to its delicate environmental resources and its limited financial assets. These challenges are aggravated by the scarcity of available water, deterioration of the water resources, land contamination, desertification, mismanagement of land use, and air pollution. Attempting to describe the “State of the Environment” and to provide an informed analysis of the threats to the nation’s environment is a Herculean task. This analysis examines the efforts made by Jordan in regard to protection and management of the environment. This thesis provides a snapshot of the major …

An Investigation Into The Factors Affecting The Retention And Achievement Of Computing Students Attending Institutes Of Technology In Ireland, (Volumes 1), Carol O Shea

Theses

This research is a longitudinal case study of a cohort of five hundred and seventy-eight students attending computing courses at seven Institutes of Technology in Ireland. The investigation charts the progress of this cohort of students throughout the four-year duration of their programme from the time they commenced their course in 2001 to their graduation in 2005. The central aim of this research is to investigate the factors contributing to the achievement and retention of these students as they progress through their course. Relationships and patterns of association between attainment on the course and students’ prior educational, socio-economic and demographic …

Catholics, Curses, And Cousins In A Cracker Box, Kathryn Wallace Iffrig

Theses

In a small sitting room of a mortuary in a rural Missouri town, the author considers the life of her recently departed cousin. Having shared a family home early in their childhood, and despite similar upbringing, their lives had ultimately diverged, with him choosing a path that many would consider self-destructive and bound to lead to an early death.

Contemplating the circumstances of her cousin's death, the author falls into ruminations on their childhood, family, and common experiences they shared during those early years. Considering the disparate paths their lives ultimately took, the author questions the influence of nature versus …

The Effects Of Focused Deterrence On Gang Homicide: An Evaluation Of Rochester's Ceasefire Program, Christopher Delaney

Theses

In the late 1990’s, a problem-oriented policing initiative in Boston, “Operation: Ceasefire”, achieved significant reductions in youth homicide by focusing on gang behavior. The program was driven by a concept known as “Focused Deterrence”. Gang members are typically frequent offenders for whom general deterrence mechanisms have little effect. Additionally, the social norms of gangs often encourage offending behavior, making typical attempts to deter futile. Focused deterrence attempts to modify individual behavior and group norms with a credible and severe threat of collective punishment for an individual offending behavior. In “Operation Ceasefire”, when a gang member committed a homicide, his gang …

A Grounded Theory: Realising Family Potential Through Choice Of Schooling, Angela Mccarthy

Theses

This study was designed to develop a substantive theory that would explain the process through which a family makes educational choices in Western Australia. The grounded theory method was chosen for this research. The participants in the study were mainly parents of children in Catholic schools who were invited to assist in the research through purposive sampling. Further theoretical sampling extended the parental informant group to include parents of children in the government sector as well as in non-government schools other than Catholic schools. The data were primarily obtained through formal interviews. The analysis of the data was conducted through …

Successful Digital Asset Management And Variable Data Printing - An Approach Based On Mindsets And Skill Sets, Henrik Holm Christensen

Theses

The implementation and operation of services based on digital asset management (DAM) and variable data printing (VDP) technologies in the graphic communication industry call for new skill sets among the employees. This study examines how successful providers of DAM and VDP are obtaining their employee skills and clarifies the importance of these skill sets in relation to business success.

The research data was hypothesized and analyzed out from two major groups of respondents. One group consists of 33 companies that have hired employees within their IT administration, DAM, and/or VDP functional areas within the past two years, the "hired" group. …

Soho Design In The Near Future, Soojung Lee

Theses

Not Included

Drama In Education: Instructional Strategies For Teachers Of Deaf Students, Julie Stewart

Theses

Teaching tools continue to be discovered in the education field, including Deaf education. Teaching Deaf students can be challenging for teachers who want to be sure deaf students are learning. World Knowledge, applications, and developing appreciation for life long learning are several goals most teachers have for their deaf students. This thesis will focus on an innovative approach to teaching deaf students that incorporates "Drama In Education" in the classroom teaching. A workshop will be developed to prepare teachers of deaf students about Drama in Education, how to put it into practice and how to assess the students' learning from …

The Social Studies Classroom: Attitudes And Perspective From The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students Through Literature, Amanda Sievers

Theses

Millions of children attend elementary, middle and high schools throughout the country to be instructed by teachers within six major subjects. Out of six main subjects taught in academic schools, social studies has been proven as one of the most difficult yet complex subjects among students especially the deaf and hard of hearing students. It has been noted where social studies, elaborate and diverse as it may be, have created an environment where most students have the tendency to associate this subject with negative attitudes and experiences. Critical factors contribute to the overall decline interest in socials studies such as …

Guidelines For Parents On Homeschooling Deaf Children, Kalpana Varia

Theses

Many families have turned their family room into classrooms. In 1993, homeschooling became legal in all 50 states, when the number of students staying at home for schooling tripled. This trend continues today because parents want to retain control over the education and socialization of their children. Homeschooling refers to education of school-age children with their parents' guiding, directing, and monitoring them. It replaces full-time attendance at a traditional school. Parents express various reasons for educating their children at home; individualization, family time, strong academic, moral, and religious foundations. The problem with homeschooling, for parents of deaf children, is the …

Product Development Knowledge-Processing System, Jiefei Qiu

Theses

This thesis develops a methodology that integrates Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) and Design Structure Matrix (DSM) to address the problem of analyzing, interpreting, and transforming the knowledge data flow during the product development process.

A product development process is the sequence of steps an enterprise takes to conceive, design, and commercialize a product. The general process includes: Planning, Concept Development, System-Level Design, Detail Design, Testing and Refinement, and Production Ramp-Up. One way to think about the development process is as a knowledge-processing system.

Prior to this study, there are few articles integrating TRIZ and …

The Role Of University Participation In Integrated Coastal Zone Management : A Case Study Of The Ria De Aviero, Amie Barbosa Figueiredo

Theses

The purpose of this investigation is to examine the efforts of the Universidade de Aveiro to create a public participation process and provide information for the management of the Ria de Aveiro, a lagoon system, in Portugal. This thesis examines whether universities are effective as coordinators and facilitators of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The Universidade de Aveiro, through the European Union-ICZM Demonstration Programme, spearheaded two projects, MARIA and ESGIRA-Maria, in efforts towards moving forward with ICZM in the area. A framework was created and then applied through a series of pilot-projects. Examination of the results of these pilot projects …

Impact Of Instant Connectivity On Business Productivity: A Study Using The Community Embodiment Model (Cem), Humayun Zafar

Theses

The last decade has seen a significant growth in mobile technologies. Predominantly this technology has been relegated to the realm of personal use, but as this work will suggest, cost related effects of such technologies also need to be considered.

For most organizations maximizing operational efficiency is the main reason why new technologies are acquired. However, apart from basic costs, such as total cost of ownership of mobile technologies, other costs (business process reengineering, and employee morale) need to be measured in order to ascertain if an organization can withstand a change to a next-generation system.

This study attempts to …

Simulating The Oil Spill In The Arabian Gulf Marine Environment: A Risk Assessment In Association With Uae Coastal Desalination Plants, Abubaker Awad El-Hakeem

Theses

The current study is directed towards the development of oil spill hazard contour maps for the prediction of oil spill travel times and critical wind directions in association with major strategic desalination plants in United Arab Emirates. Five desalination plants in are selected along the UAE coastline to be the potential destination points of oil spill hazards. These plants are AI-Shuwayhat, AI-Mirfa, Umm AINar & Taweelah, Jebel Ali and AI-Layah.

In order to reach the set target, a coastal hydraulics simulation model is employed to adopt the real sea-state dynamic conditions. The hydrodynamic simulated results are tuned and tested against …

Reforming Higher Education In Saudi Arabia: The Use Of Telecommunications Technology, Abdullah Altowjry

Theses

Internet technology has become a powerful tool since its advent. Online learning is a byproduct of Internet usage and is instrumental in higher education. In the United States, the use of online learning, also known as distance learning, is widespread. It is used in almost all educational institutions. Even third world countries, which are traditionally lagging behind in any educational or sociological enterprise, are now attempting to catch up with distance learning education. Some educational institutions in the Middle East, for example, have been using distance learning in place of traditional classroom instruction. In Saudi Arabia, there is a great …

Memory Fix, Christopher James Jordan

Theses

This thesis serves as the written accompaniment to the visual work comprising the exhibit: Memory Fix, examining notions of personal geography set within more generalized conceptions of place, memory and identity formation. Further, it explores the ambiguity between ways in which place is remotely documented versus intimately experienced. We live in a culture of displacement, where technologies paradoxically render far-away places more accessible, but also contribute to the distancing of the immediate and authentic. This displacement also extends to the world of image and depiction. Place-representations are emptied of original meanings and connotations through overexposure and mass circulation. Against …

The Rise And Fall Of Open Market Emissions Trading In New Jersey, Devin Peter Demarco

Theses

On August 2, 1996, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) promulgated rules governing its Open Market Emissions Trading (OMET) program. With a goal to provide industry with a greater degree of flexibility in meeting federal air compliance directives and simultaneously move the state towards the attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), this program is now slated for termination following scrutiny from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental groups and a new NJDEP administration.

This thesis discusses the basis for this scrutiny and other program flaws discovered through interviews with, and public comments from, NJDEP and …

Cultus: The Church, The Family, And The Art-Saint, Rebekah Carmichael

Theses

None provided.

Improving Student Learning Through Theme Based Curriculum Design And Team Teaching: An Action Research Study, Brenda Dermody

Theses

This study is concerned with improving the design and delivery of the curriculum on a four year BA in Design Visual Communication programme in the Technologicl University Dublin. The study examines how aspects of curriculum design and delivery affect some of the key stakeholders - the students and academic staff – involved in the programme. It looks at how the design and delivery of the curriculum can be improved with a view to achieving two main aims. The first aim is to promote a deep approach to learning among visual communication students. The second aim is to promote a deep …

Sam Patch Strategy, Kelley Coady

Theses

Not provided.

Clarifying Meal Planning Information, John D. Tran

Theses

Not Included

Geological Assessment Of The Intertidal Environment In Some Areas Along The Arabian Gulf And Gulf Of Oman Coastal Region, Uae: A Comparative Study., Mouza Rashid Mohamed Airashidi

Theses

The present study aims at assessing the geological environment of some selected areas along the coastal zones of the Arabian Gulf (northern coast) and the Gulf of Oman (eastern coast). Eight stations were selected for this study; these include three stations from the Gulf of Oman (Khor Fakkan, Kalba and Fujairah) and five stations from the Arabian Gulf (Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwen and Ras A1-Khaimah). 25 sediment samples were collected and subjected to grain-size analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, microfacies and petrographic study and chemical analysis. Shell samples were collected from the same sites using 50x50x10 cm box. These shells …

Into The Park, Joel Lederer

Theses

Not Included

Ancient Promises, Mohamad Rozi Mohd Nor

Theses

The story is about a girl who achieves her mythological destiny through her metamorphosis from a human form to that of a sea turtle which symbolizes universal love, fertility and desire. During preproduction the original concept (see Thesis Proposal in Appendix A) took a dramatic shift, becoming less of a traditional narrative work and evolving more into a visual lyrical form. Ancient Promises begins with the female lead character appearing restless during her strangely frantic investigations on a beach. She hears voices which surprise and intrigue her. Her discovery of a turtle and the loss of her ring increases the …

International Students' Travel Decision Making Process, Tung-Wei Lee

Theses

Not Included