Digital Commons Network^™

Timeless, Christopher E. Smith

Theses

Timeless, a 3D computer animated film, is about exploring the nature of time and nostalgia through the story of a clock man who resides in an old clock inside an abandoned house. I used Maya, a 3D computer animation application for the production and Adobe After Effects for the postproduction. Includes appendices for my thesis proposal containing a budget and a timeline, storyboards, and color stills from the final production.

Long-Term Unemployed Men: A Social Constructionist Exploration Of Identity Construction, Elizabeth A. Scott

Theses

Identity construction in long-term unemployed men over the age of thirty-five was explored using discursive psychological analysis (Wetherell, 2001). Forty participants in County Kerry, who had not engaged with statutory agencies providing employment rehabilitation services, were accessed over a three year period in order to identify the reasons for nonengagement. A grounded theory approach (Bryman, 2004) to data collection was utilised. This yielded six broad codes and eighteen categories of discursive resource drawn upon by the men in constructing identities. In explaining their continued absence from the workforce and lack of engagement with services, discourses identified by Levitas (2004) classifying …

Optimization Of A New Digital Image Compression Algorithm Based On Nonlinear Dynamical Systems, Anurag R. Sinha

Theses

In this paper we discuss the formulation, research and development of an optimization process for a new compression algorithm known as DYNAMAC, which has its basis in the nonlinear systems theory. We establish that by increasing the measure of randomness of the signal, the peak signal to noise ratio and in turn the quality of compression can be improved to a great extent. This measure, entropy, through exhaustive testing, will be linked to peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR, a measure of quality) and by various discussions and inferences we will establish that this measure would independently drive the compression …

Iir Modeling Of Interpositional Transfer Functions With A Genetic Algorithm Aided By An Adaptive Filter For The Purpose Of Altering Free-Field Sound Localization, Dereck Padden

Theses

The psychoacoustic process of sound localization is a system of complex analysis. Scientists have found evidence that both binaural and monaural cues are responsible for determining the angles of elevation and azimuth which represent a sound source. Engineers have successfully used these cues to build mathematical localization systems. Research has indicated that spectral cues play an important role in 3-d localization. Therefore, it seems conceivable to design a filtering system which can alter the localization of a sound source, either for correctional purposes or listener preference. Such filters, known as Interpositional Transfer Functions, can be formed from division in the …

Interactions Between Physical And Virtual Space, Carolyn Hsu

Theses

Taking an in-depth look into how graphic design is used to successfully open doors to and encourage the journey through conceptual environments can provide an enhanced understanding of visual communication and visual perception in virtual spaces. This may lead to the creation of improved strategies for navigating through virtual environments, helping to create a system that will more closely reflect wayfinding and navigation in the physical world. Aspects of the study will include the visual translation of time, space, motion, and emotion through conceptual, spatial, and color considerations. Furthermore, understanding visual coding and other navigational aspects will involve the study …

Retail Refreshed, Marta Stanuszek

Theses

This thesis explores how a `change-over-fixture', a store fixture that transforms its shape and purpose, will help retailers keep up with the various aspects of merchandising needs as well as create a competitive advantage over many years. With Big Box retailers on the rise and an abundance of other smaller businesses increasing; Independent clothing retailers need to invest in new ideas to endure. In the past and currently, remodeling remains a final option to reboot the store's image and bring customers in. It is not always a success but nonetheless an overwhelmingly popular option. The set of conditions following remodeling …

A Tale In Motion; Ascended Learning, Stacey Houghton

Theses

The education of children in their early development is an essential time for them to develop their minds both cognitively and creatively. Reading, in particular, is one of the most important factors within this developmental stage, and thus needs to be fully grasped by children. A widening gap of illiteracy in America may be lessened by a more interactive and creative approach to learning. With the advent of the computer and motion graphics software, this thesis proves that there is now a more engaging way of educating our youth. Using the characters within the words to create imagery, rather than …

Polarimetric Modeling Of Remotely Sensed Scenes In The Thermal Infrared, Michael G. Gartley

Theses

This dissertation develops a polarimetric thermal infrared (IR) framework within the Digital Image and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) software tool enabling users in the remote sensing community to conduct system level trades and phenomenology studies. To support polarized reflection and emission modeling within DIRSIG, a generalized bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) is presented. This generalized form is a 4x4 element Mueller matrix that may be configured to resemble the commonly utilized Beard-Maxwell or Priest-Germer BRDF models. A polarized emissivity model is derived that leverages a hemispherical integration of the polarized BRDF and Kirchoff's Law. A portable experimental technique for …

Acceptor Splice Site Prediction, Eric Foster

Theses

Gene finding is an important aspect of biological research. The state of gene finding is such that many approaches exist yet the problem itself is still largely unsolved. The various signals involved in gene location and modification offer a window of opportunity for the accurate prediction of genes. Many algorithms attempt to break down the problem of gene prediction into smaller portions focusing on various signals and properties. The individual study of these signals becomes warranted. This work focuses on splice site prediction, and more specifically, acceptor splice site prediction. Several current approaches, weight matrix models and Markov models, are …

Chemical Stidies On Nucleic Acids Interaction With Some Antiviral Drugs: Developing Of Some New Methods For Nucleic Aeids Determination And Their Application, Islam Kamal Ali Shams

Theses

No abstract provided.

Modified Art Curriculum For Deaf Students With Secondary Disabilities, Laural Hartman

Theses

This capstone_masters_project focuses on creating a modified art curriculum for deaf students with secondary disabilities. From personal experiences, there are art curriculums designed for special education students in general and art curriculums for deaf students, but there is no art curriculum for deaf students with disabilities. Since deaf students with disabilities at residential schools already face a limitation by not being able to hear, they shouldn't face more limitations due to another disability. This paper will present what researchers have said about teaching art to both special education students and deaf students. This paper will also include how deaf and …

Analysis Of Yeast Codon Usage Patterns Using The Movable Orf Collection, Nunut Butarbutar

Theses

The relationships between codon usage and protein expression levels have been extensively studied in various organisms. Highly expressed genes have often been shown to have stronger compositional codon bias. However, previous studies often failed to separate the effects of regulatory control from codon usage patterns. These studies have also been deficient with respect to both gene and protein coverage. In this study, we investigated the role of codon usage patterns in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the Movable Open Reading Frame (MORF) collection library. The new collection is based on the recent annotation of yeast genome and is made with high– efficiency …

Conceptual Design And Specification Of A Microsatellite Forest Fire Detection System, Domenico Luisi

Theses

The burning of our forests and other forms of biomass are increasingly harming the local, regional and global environment. As evidenced by studies of the earth's atmosphere, biomass burning is a significant global source of greenhouse gases and particulate matter that impact the chemistry of the troposphere and stratosphere. Current remote sensing methods used for monitoring forest fires and other forms of biomass burning rely on sensors primarily designed for measurement of temperatures near 300 degrees Kelvin or the average surface temperatures of the earth’s surface. Fires radiate intensely against a low-temperature background, therefore it is possible to detect fires …

Exploration Of A Hybrid Locomotion Robot, Jeffrey Webb

Theses

In this work, a hybrid locomotion robotic platform is evaluated. This system combines the benefits of both rolling and walking, with the intent on having the ability to traverse variable terrain. A quadruped leg-wheeled robot was designed, built, and tested. Experimental trials were conducted to demonstrate the overall feasibility of the design. Finally, important conclusions about the effectiveness and value of hybrid locomotion were reached. Posturecontrol is specifically identified as an effective area with great potential.

Air Monitoring Of Some Air Pollutants In Al-Ain City Using Passive Samplers, By Ismail Abdel Karim El Haty

Theses

Air pollution monitoring is highly valuable due to effects on economics and public health. Hence, concerned authorities in different countries as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) specified the permitted standard concentration of the main pollutants. Large number of countries also have built their air quality monitoring stations, and distributed them in several sites to monitor air pollutants over the whole year. Some developed countries established an awareness environmental program to educate the public and inform them of daily pollution level to take necessary precautions.

In this study, air pollution was monitored in AI-Ain City over twelve months, through …

Organizing Space-Time: A Causal Analysis Of Spatiotemporal Location, John J. Gabriel

Theses

Presentism is the view that our most unrestricted quantifiers range over only those objects temporally located at the present moment. Nothing exists outside the present moment. Eternalism is the view that our most unrestricted quantifiers range over objects in the past, present, and future. No matter how remote an object's temporal location, it still exists at the present moment. I argue the eternalist's view forces him to make a distinction the presentist needs not. The eternalist must admit that for an object to be temporally located at a time it must have a feature above and beyond mere existence at …

Fish Predation Alters Community Predictability In Small Ponds, Elizabeth Gabor Biro

Theses

Predation can have large but variable impacts on prey species diversity. Although the effects of predation are often deterministic, stochastic processes can often influence the outcome on community assembly regardless of predator presence. Top predators can alter several properties of the community, including the abundance and richness of species, as well as the traits of species that can persist with predators. These properties, in turn, may influence the pattern of community assembly and the predictability of community structure from site to site. In this study, we investigated whether the presence of fish predators influenced the site-to-site predictability (similarity in community …

Consumer Engagement Perspectives: A Tool For Ensuring Advertising’S Impact?, Maria Cummings

Theses

The twenty-first century has enabled many changes in the way consumers seek out, become interested in, and purchase goods and services. Not only are there more purchase options available, there are also more media vehicles utilized to search for and purchase goods and services. Both marketing professionals and advertising agencies recognize that consumers are now in the driver’s seat regarding choice of media channels. No longer are the traditional metrics, such as reach and frequency, enough in selecting media to target messages to create buyers, in addition to loyal, and perhaps life-long, customers. Consumer Engagement is one response advertising and …

Longitudinal Dynamic Modeling And Control Of Powered Parachute Aircraft, John Chambers

Theses

Powered parachutes (PPC) represent a very unique class of aircraft which have thus far seen limited use beyond recreational flight. Their slow flight and large payload characteristics make them a practical platform for applications such as aerial spraying and surveillance. The portability of the units when not airborne, fast transition to flight readiness, inherent stability, and simplicity of control enhance their appeal for use as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The aircraft fly using only three control inputs consisting of two steering lines and a throttle for control of climb and descent. One of the more interesting characteristics that distinguish PPC …

Simulation Analysis Of Capacity And Scheduling Methods In The Hospital Surgical Suite, Sarah Ballard

Theses

With health-care costs rising and an aging population, the health-care industry is progressively faced with the problem of growing demand and diminishing reimbursements. Hospital administration is often faced with a lack of quantifiable data regarding surgical suite capacity and the impact of adding new surgical procedures. With the inherent variation in surgery due to unique procedures and patients, accurately measuring maximum capacity in the surgical suite through mathematical models is difficult to do without making simplifying assumptions. Several hospitals calculate their operating room (OR) efficiencies by comparing total OR time available to total surgical time used. This metric fails to …

Print Productivity: A System Dynamics Approach, Jorge Uribe

Theses

The productivity of the printing industry in terms of real sales per employee has been growing at an annualized rate of 1.9% for more than a decade. The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) reports that the industry is lagging, when compared to the average productivity growth of 4% from the non-durable manufacturing industries (2004). Many possible causes and reasons for the slow improvement are presented, but the final focus is on the inefficiencies of the print production system when analyzed as a whole. The technology within the printing industry has improved dramatically; however, its implementation usually delivers localized improvements …

Shakespeare's Richard Iii: One Actor's Path, Jerry Vogel

Theses

There are a few roles in theatre that are considered a Mount Everest of acting. It's no surprise that Shakespeare created several of these steep and treacherous climbs. Richard ill, as created by Shakespeare, provides all the stage death-defying challenges an actor could ever hope for, if the ultimate goal is to push one's ability to the maximum. There is a rich history of past productions, some of them legendary, to intimidate the actor from the start. There are the obligatory deformities to contend with, sending some actors to a chiropractor's table for the remainder of their lives. There is …

Unbounded Solutions Of The Max-Type Difference Equation Xn+1 = Max {An/Xn, Bn/Xn-2},N = 0,1,2,..., Chris Kerbert

Theses

We investigate the periodic character and the boundedness nature of positive solutions of the difference equation: xn+1=max{An/xn,Bn/xn−2},n=0,1,..., where {An}∞n=0 and {Bn}∞n=0 are periodic sequences of positive real numbers.

Mathematics And Signing Using Modem Technology, Erin Bosley

Theses

The purpose of this curriculum development capstone project is to provide a sign language resource for the teachers of mathematics classes in deaf education settings. The project consists of a webpage including the clips of various mathematics signs in American Sign Language (ASL). The webpage includes 45 mathematics vocabulary words, taken from the Algebra I mathematics book by Bellman, Bragg, Charles, Hall, Handlin, and Kennedy (2007). A definition as well as visual illustrations and/or visual examples are provided for each word. After the implementation of the website, several questions were asked in order to improve the quality of the webpage. …

Solution Strategies For A Supply Chain Deterministic Model, Ming Hong

Theses

To most firms, intelligent supply chain decisions are essential to achieve competitiveness in an environment characterized with increasing globalization and relentless changes. As the supply chain concept largely evolved from traditional logistics management, practitioners and researchers have historically focused on the individual processes of a supply chain. A wide array of mathematical models have been developed to tackle such functional issues as inventory level, lead-time performance, delivery performance, customer satisfaction and so on. This research presents a model that aims to evaluate and optimize the overall performance of the supply chain. The key nodes and variables in the model are …

Rescuing System Design, Il-Chan Lee

Theses

There are many different technologies and equipment to search for objects underground today including mine ore, water, mineral or oil, but almost none of those technologies and equipment are applied to searching for people. This research will help to define what kinds of detecting methods exist, and what kind of technologies could be possibly applied for detecting human beings underground. ... The primary goal is to develop a new system for rescuing people under special circumstances such as building collapses, earthquakes, and being trapped underground (e.g., mine shaft collapses). There are many different technologies that could be applied to these …

Dossier: Truth, Jasna Bogdanovska

Theses

This thesis examines two very different themes. The first one is a historical look on the change of female roles in society shown through very well known symbols, and the second one is the search for truth in times of war. I used mythology as a bridge from our ancestors to understand historical and present roles of women in society. Through my artwork I was asking questions about female identity: How are women portrayed in society? Do we make decisions about our lives or do we live by preset traditional rules? Is anatomy defining our destiny; Or we are just …

A Reverse Engineering Process For Mechanical Engineering Systems, Tamarez-Gomez Frank

Theses

This thesis presents a literature review of current reverse engineering technologies and processes, with an emphasis on tools commonly used in Software Reverse Engineering (SRE). Using the foundation of the literature review, the thesis will then propose a standard process, referred to as "A Reverse Engineering Process for Mechanical Engineering Systems (REPMES)." The REPMES tool is intended to enable engineers to understand how current products work. Additionally, REPMES may allow engineering design teams to more effectively revise their product designs through competitive benchmarking. The REPMES is illustrated through application to case studies of a consumer flashlight and an automotive torque …

Cul De Sac, Jen Moon

Theses

This thesis examines suburbia’s relationship to nature and culture.From the beginning of my artistic career I have been interested in photographingthe landscape, striving to make a familiar view unfamiliar as a means to question how weuse space and the impact this use has on us. Prior to graduate school I sought out viewsforeign to me, but as a graduate student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Iturned inward to the familiar, the landscapes I know most intimately—suburbia.Discovering a way to both question and express my relationship with suburbia led me toexperiment with several mediums. From traditional 4x5 black-and-white photography tocolor …

Quantitative Analysis Of Infrared Contrast Enhancement Algorithms, Seth Weith-Glushko

Theses

This thesis examines a quantitative analysis of infrared contrast enhancement algorithms found in literature and developed by the author. Four algorithms were studied, three of which were found in literature and one developed by the author: tail-less plateau equalization (TPE), adaptive plateau equalization (APE), the method according to Aare Mallo (MEAM), and infrared multi-scale retinex (IMSR). Engineering code was developed for each algorithm. From this engineering code, a rate of growth analysis was conducted to determine each algorithm’s computational load. From the analysis, it was found that all algorithms with the exception of IMSR have a desirable linear nature. Once …