Digital Commons Network^™

Land Surface Temperature And Emissivity Retrieval From Thermal Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging, Marvin Boonmee

Theses

A new algorithm, optimized land surface temperature and emissivity retrieval (OLSTER), is presented to compensate for atmospheric effects and retrieve land surface temperature (LST) and emissivity from airborne thermal infrared hyperspectral data. The OLSTER algorithm is designed to retrieve properties of both natural and man-made materials. Multi-directional or multi-temporal observations are not required, and the scenes do not have to be dominated by blackbody features. The OLSTER algorithm consists of a preprocessing step, an iterative search for nearblackbody pixels, and an iterative constrained optimization loop. The preprocessing step provides initial estimates of LST per pixel and the atmospheric parameters of …

Emphasizing The User In The Usability Study: Investigating Activity Theory And Website Navigation, Heidi Trost

Theses

The effects of organizational schemes in website design have been studied using measures of speed, number of mouse-clicks, accuracy, and user recollection of website content information. This study investigates self-reported user confidence and satisfaction of websites using two different organizational schemes. Users were randomly assigned to one of the two sites and asked to perform a series of information-retrieval tasks. Time taken to complete the tasks was recorded and participants completed a survey measuring their confidence and satisfaction using a website. No significant differences were found between the two websites in respect to user self-reported confidence and satisfaction. The results …

Economic And Environmental Impacts Of Collecting Waste Cooking Oil For Use As Biodiesel Under A Localized Strategy, Christopher R. Wood

Theses

Some of the vital aspects in the diffusion of renewable energies are the cost of producing the energy, as well as the environmental impacts associated with its lifecycle. As petroleum based energy becomes increasingly costly, alternatives will be relied upon to meet the ever increasing energy demand. Biofuels, and biodiesel in particular, could be a near term solution for providing a transitional fuel to meet the energy demand of the transportation sector. However, the costs of biodiesel, as well as perceptions of a negative energy balance are hindering its widespread adoption. Using waste cooking oil (WCO) can reduce the cost …

A Link-Quality-Aware Graph Model For Cognitive Radio Network Routing Topology Management, Andrew Michael James

Theses

Wireless communications is one of the fastest growing fields in the world; however this creates a problem since all wireless signals are fighting for the same limited amount spectrum in any given space. The underutilization of licensed spectrum has created a need for a new way to use it. Cognitive Radio Networks and Dynamic Spectrum Access are a solution to this problem. By opportunistically using spectrum, devices can gain access to more wireless bandwidth while not violating FCC regulations. The concepts of Cognitive Radio Networks and Dynamic Spectrum Access are very new topics and have yet to be fully explored. …

Character Design And Marketing – Designer Toys, Yen-Fu Chen

Theses

Designing a series of my characters and one story for those characters is the first step in this project. Those characters will be presented on my design products from 2D to 3D and from t-shirt to cell phone downloads. There are four categories for my design works. The first part is 2D print media. I will put those characters on posters, stickers and post cards. Also, the customers can have my character designs on their t-shirts. The second is that I will have real toy models for my characters. The customers can have my real design works, and they can …

Willingness To Pay For A Clear Night Sky: Use Of The Contingent Valuation Method, Stephanie N. Simpson

Theses

A clear night sky is a public good, and as a public good government intervention to regulate it is justifiable. Light pollution decreases the ability to view a clear, unobstructed night sky and can have biological, human health, energy related, and scientific consequences. In order for governments to intervene more effectively, an economic analysis of light pollution with regards to costs and benefits needs to be performed. This thesis demonstrates the use of the contingent valuation method to place an economic value on light pollution. Students in the RIT community were surveyed regarding their willingness to pay for a clear …

High Resolution Source Localization In Near Field Sensor Arrays By Mvdr Technique, Joseph J. Handfield

Theses

Research over the last decade has led to technological advances in high frequency active and passive detection technology and signal processing. An emerging application area is the standoff detection of concealed objects such as weapons and explosives using penetrating electromagnetic radiation such as terahertz waves (THz). Here sensor arrays are employed in the near field to image the concealed objects. A new approach is investigated to improve upon methods such as Fourier inversion and sum and delay beamforming. A method based on the Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR) filter technique is developed to localize source points in the electric field …

Development Of A Cyber Attack Simulator For Network Modeling And Cyber Security Analysis, Kevin Costantini

Theses

Computer networks are now relied on more than ever before for gathering information and performing essential business functions. In addition, cyber crime is frequently used as a means of exploiting these networks to obtain useful and private information. Although intrusion detection tools are available to assist in detecting malicious activity within a network, these tools often lack the ability to clearly identify cyber attacks. This limitation makes the development of effective tools an imperative task to assist in both detecting and taking action against cyber attacks as they occur. In developing such tools, reliable test data must be provided that …

Awen: Flowing Spirit, Matt Costanza

Theses

None provided.

Uncovering Local History: 16mm Tv News Film Remaining In U.S. Television Stations, Rob Jason Fain

Theses

Beginning in the 1940s, the U.S. television news industry used 16 millimeter film to gather daily local field footage. By 1980 videotape pushed news film aside. Though historians and others would later find value in the film, many TV stations had by then disposed of their film. Reported here are results of a survey that determines which U.S. TV stations still have their news film and its current physical condition. A six-page survey was mailed to chief engineers and operations managers at more than 600 commercial TV stations that went on the air prior to January 1, 1977. The response …

Identification Of New Mrna Targets Of Puf3 Protein-Mediated Decay And Analysis Of Their Condition-Specific Decay Regulation In Yeast, Melanie A. Miller

Theses

Eukaryotic Puf proteins function to regulate gene expression by altering mRNA stability. Specifically, Puf proteins bind the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA targets to stimulate their turnover. Yeast Puf3p was originally found to mediate rapid turnover of COX17 mRNA, which encodes a mitochondrial copper shuttle. More recently, microarray and computational analyses revealed that Puf3p physically associates with >100 nuclear-transcribed mRNAs that encode mitochondrial proteins. Moreover, it was predicted that the steady-state expression levels of these mRNAs are altered by different growth conditions. In this work, I have experimentally validated several new mRNAs that are targeted for turnover by Puf3p, …

Imaginary Spaces, Daniel J. Weisbard

Theses

Current three dimensional computer graphics technology has given artists and computer generated images. Imaginary Spaces is a series of images which visually depict two unique and imaginative digitally produced environments. By utilizing modern computer graphics technology, these have been brought to life in stunning realism and detail. Imaginary Spaces consists of seven total images which showcase each environment from alternating vantage designers a new set of tools for producing amazingly life-like com artificial spaces points in virtual space.

Intersections Of Qanalysis And Computing: Developing Taxonomy And Scenario Tools For Computer Aided Policy Analysis, Nathan Claes

Theses

The advent of computer aided modeling has provided excellent opportunities for expanding the scope and accuracy of policy analysis. In order to take advantage of new technology however, traditional analytic tools must be made to function alongside computer modeling environments. Through the course of this thesis I discuss two primary foci. The first describes the development and implementation of a policy taxonomy specifically designed for use in computer aided policy analysis environments. Policy taxonomies acceptable for use in traditional theoretical environments may not be adequate and so must be modified for use in the new information technology environment that modern …

Gardenscapes: A Harmonious Approach To 3d Art, Charmie Tate

Theses

None provided.

Route Recovery Schemes For Link And Node Failure And Link Congestion, Ibrahim Takouna

Theses

Link/Node failure occurs frequently causing service disruption in computer networks. Hardware techniques have been developed to protect the network from Link/Node failure. These techniques work in physical layer, therefore their convergence time is very small. On the other hand, many schemes have been proposed to mitigate the failure influence on the network. These schemes work in upper layers such as the network layer. However, hardware solutions faster than other schemes, but they are expensive. Link/Node failure causes all flows which were using the failed link/node are temporarily interrupted till a new path reestablished.

Three recovery algorithms have been proposed that …

The Link Between Emotional Recognition And Executive Functioning Ability, Alexandra Popa

Theses

This study investigated the link between executive functioning (e.g., planning, shifting, inhibiting) and emotional recognition ability based on facial expressions. In addition, differences in emotional recognition and executive functioning among college majors and year in school was assessed. Gender differences were studied as well. A sample of 53 volunteer undergraduate students were administered an abbreviated version of Ekman's Pictures of Facial Affect (AEFER) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test: Computer Version 4 (WCST:CV$). Findings indicate a moderate association between emotional recognition and executive functioning. Participants' performance varied on emotional recognition tasks based on year and major. Also, differences in executive …

Theoretical Framework For Predicting Joint Reaction And Ground Reaction Forces In A Dynamic Pendulum Tree Model Of Human Motion, Peyman Rajai

Theses

Lagrangian dynamics and the method of superfluous coordinates are applied to find ground and joint reaction forces on the human body modeled as a general branched 2-D pendulum tree system with arbitrary segments and arbitrarily distributed point masses. A theoretical framework is established for predicting these constraint forces during human motion and consequently their effects on dynamics, dynamic stability, energy efficiency and the potential of these forces to produce joint injury and/or pain. Applications to human walking are initiated. During idealized phases where there is only single point contact of the stance leg with the ground such as just after …

A Caza De Dientes (Hunting For Teeth), Erick Rohn

Theses

A descriptive narration of a project to create a 3-D computer animated film based on Francisco Goya's series of etchings "Los Caprichos." Includes proposal, storyboards, shot comparisons, shading network, and grant proposal.

Using Lidar To Geometrically-Constrain Signature Spaces For Physics-Based Target Detection, Michael S. Foster

Theses

A fundamental task when performing target detection on spectral imagery is ensuring that a target signature is in the same metric domain as the measured spectral data set. Remotely sensed data are typically collected in digital counts and calibrated to radiance. That is, calibrated data have units of spectral radiance, while target signatures in the visible regime are commonly characterized in units of re°ectance. A necessary precursor to running a target detection algorithm is converting the measured scene data and target signature to the same domain. Atmospheric inversion or compensation is a well-known method for transforming mea- sured scene radiance …

Improvement Of Retrieved Reflectance In The Presence Of Clouds, Brent Bartlett

Theses

Many algorithms exist to invert airborne imagery from units of either radiance or sensor specific digital counts to units of reflectance. These compensation algorithms remove unwanted atmospheric variability allowing objects on the ground to be analyzed. Low error levels in homogenous atmospheric conditions have been demonstrated. In many cases however, clouds are present in the atmosphere which introduce error into the inversion at unacceptable levels. For example, the relationship that is defined between sensor reaching radiance and ground reflectance in direct sunlight will not be the same as in a cloud shadow. A novel method has been developed which utilizes …

Migration During The Dust Bowl, Devin Kerr

Theses

None provided.

Manifestations Of Nature, Bethany Krull

Theses

I feel that humans in today’s society are distanced so much from their origins that we need to be reminded that our roots are deeply and firmly planted in the natural world. I feel that it is our society’s current disconnection and alienation from nature that is a key reason we have let the destruction of the environment go on for so long. This thesis consists of two parts. The first being a written investigation of the root causes of our society’s current alienation from nature and the second being a written account of the exhibition of a body of …

Breaking Barriers Of Regeneration: Examining The Effectiveness Of Bird Perches In Facilitating Seed Dispersal In A Tropical Dry Forest, Muldrow Milton

Theses

This project examined the use of bird perches in facilitating seed dispersal to address the lack of seed dispersal and seed rain in degraded tropical forests. The goal of this project was to learn more about this practice in order to derive more realistic expectations of its effectiveness. After four months, significantly more seeds were dispersed into plots containing introduced perches as compared to subplots that lacked perches. Seed rain was dominated by Ficus citrifolia, a mid-level successional species, indicating that introduced artificial perches may influence the regeneration of more mature forests. Seeds recovered from seed traps represented species with …

Modeling Wildland Fire Radiance In Synthetic Remote Sensing Scenes, Zhen Wang

Theses

This thesis develops a framework for implementing radiometric modeling and visualization of wildland fire. The ability to accurately model physical and op- tical properties of wildfire and burn area in an infrared remote sensing system will assist efforts in phenomenology studies, algorithm development, and sensor evaluation. Synthetic scenes are also needed for a Wildland Fire Dynamic Data Driven Applications Systems (DDDAS) for model feedback and update. A fast approach is presented to predict 3D flame geometry based on real time measured heat flux, fuel loading, and wind speed. 3D flame geometry could realize more realistic radiometry simulation. A Coupled Atmosphere-Fire …

Investigating The Effects Of An On-Chip Pre-Classifier On Wireless Ecg Monitoring, Alexandru Samachisa

Theses

In past years, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in most developed countries. Timely detection of a heart condition is necessary in order to prevent life threatening situations. Even when the problem is not a heart condition, the activity of the heart can supply vital information, which makes its monitoring extremely important. A new approach to patient monitoring was taken recently by introducing wireless sensor networks into medical care. The capability of monitoring multiple patients at once makes such a system ideal for pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency care. The main problems associated with wireless sensor networks are …

Bifurcation Scenarios In Semiconductor Lasers Subject To Optical Injection, Rachel Marilley

Theses

In the thesis we examine the dynamics of semiconductor lasers subject to optical injection. We study typical bifurcation scenarios, namely the saddle- node and Hopf bifurcations associated with this system. First, the system is investigated analytically, then numerical simulations verify our analytical conclusions.

Urban Middle School Students’ Perceptions Of Math And Science Teachers’ Caring Behaviors And Student’S Self Reports Of Academic Competence, Brenda Rhyne

Theses

This research examines urban middle school students' perceptions of their math and science teachers' behaviors. Specific caring behaviors (challenging questions, encouragement and praise, non-verbal support, understanding and friendly, and controlling -- which refer to teacher's expectations for classroom behavior) were evaluated by 101 students (72 girls and 29 boys) in grades 7, 8, and 9 by means of a survey instrument. Research findings support earlier investigations confirming that boys and girls interpret teacher friendliness differently. However, both male and female students reported similar perceptions of their teachers' behaviors with respect to praise, non-verbal support, and controlling. In addition, a strong …

Dishsoap For Clean Water: How The Design Of Everyday Objects Can Promote Happiness, Xanthe Matychak

Theses

This project began with the question: What keeps us from achieving sustainable happiness, happiness for ourselves and future generations? I have chosen to focus on the citizen/consumer conflict which occurs when our consumer choices are incongruous with our moral obligations to society. This conflict is a consequence of the market systems that are in place and consumers’ lack of a critical understanding of these systems. Thus, with this project, I am attempting to make these systems more transparent. Looking at economic approaches like price adjustment and awareness-raising strategies I have focused on the latter. Drawing from the history of semiotics …

An Alternative To The "Screen Baby Sitter" For Preschoolers, Soo Min Seo

Theses

The goal of this thesis is to isolate the problems in [avoidable situations in which television is used as a babysitter] and to determine a design-based solution. The mission of the final product is to change the target user's attitude or life pattern in an unforced manner. Ideally, parents will develop a new, more positive attitude toward parenting and children will prefer playtime to television watching, thus becoming more available to their parents.

Automatic Image Segmentation By Dynamic Region Growth And Multiresolution Merging, Luis Enrique Garcia Ugarriza

Theses

Image segmentation is a fundamental task in many computer vision applications. We present a novel unsupervised color image segmentation algorithm named GSEG, which exploits the information obtained from detecting edges in color images. By using a color gradient detection technique, pixels without edges are clustered and labeled individually to identify the image content. Elements that contain higher gradient density are included by a dynamic generation of clusters as the segmentation progresses. By quantizing the colors in the image and extracting texture information from the neighborhood entropy of each pixel, the proposed method obtains accurate models of texture that are highly …