Digital Commons Network^™

Reinforcement Learning In Intelligent Control : A Biologically-Inspired Approach To The Relearning Problem, Brendan D'Cruz

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The increasingly complex demands placed on control systems have resulted in a need for intelligent control, an approach that attempts to meet these demands by emulating the capabilities found in biological systems. The need to exploit existing knowledge is a desirable feature of any intelligent control system, and this leads to the relearning problem. The problem arises when a control system is required to effectively learn new knowledge whilst exploiting still useful knowledge from past experiences. This thesis describes the adaptive critic system using reinforcement learning, a computational framework that can effectively address many of the demands in intelligent control, …

An Investigation Into The Development Of Engineering Students' Conceptual Understanding Of Mathematics, Wendy Mary Maull

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Following widespread concern over an apparent decline in the mathematical skills of engineering students, this study employed survey and observation methods to investigate the ways in which engineering students understand mathematical concepts, and to compare these with the concepts held-by students of mathematics. It was found that the engineering students employ a different vocabulary from mathematics students in discussing mathematics, and that their understanding of mathematical concepts develops differently from mathematics students both in response to teaching (which appears to be a transitory effect) and as their experience gives meaning to the ideas in life outside study. These findings are …

A Bulloch Sampler, Smith Callaway Banks

Bulloch County Historical Society Publications

A collection of Bulloch County history materials presented by Smith Callaway Banks. This collection includes newspaper accounts of Creek Indian raids, a piece on the Hollingsworth Collection at Screven County Library, articles from the Statesboro News about the homesteads of the Denmarks and the Duggars, information about the community of Bengal and its post offices, and five newspaper articles about farming in Bulloch County. Also included are the obituaries of Sarah Lanier Jones and Keziah Cone DeLoach, a short biography of Isabel Lane Sorrier, a recipe for ginger-wine, three accounts from Confederate veterans, an article and signed photograph of Joe …

Pausing And Escape On Fixed-Interval Schedules: Effects Of Stimuli Correlated With Different Reinforcer Magnitudes And Different Reinforcement Rates., Leo A. Carlin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research has shown that both pausing and escape are controlled jointly by past and upcoming conditions of reinforcement. The present research was designed to investigate the contextual variables that influence pausing and escape on FI schedules and to assess further the functional similarities between pausing and escape. It was of particular interest that the effects of past events have been observed long after they had been removed from the environment of the organism. To shed light on the nature of control by such past events on pausing and escape, three experiments were arranged with fixed-interval schedules that manipulated stimuli correlated …

The Relationship Of The Communication Styles Of Public School Principals In West Virginia And Their Schools' Climates To Student Achievement., Linda Sue Roberts

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the relationships between and among the three variables of communication style of the public school principal in West Virginia, school climate, and student achievement. Demographic variables included sex of the principal, school level, school size, and socioeconomic status. The population of this study consisted of K–12 teachers from 350 different public schools in West Virginia who were surveyed regarding their perceptions of the communication style of their principals and the climates of their schools. Data on student achievement, sex of the principal, school level, school size, and socioeconomic status were also collected. Multiple regression and Pearson correlations …

Antioxidation And Nf Kappa B: A Practical Consideration., Meir S. Sacks

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Inhalation of silica is characterized by initial pulmonary inflammation which may lead to fibrosis. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship of the transcriptional regulatory factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) to the early inflammatory events involved with silica exposure. Male F-344 rats received an intratacheal (i.t.) instillation of silica (100mg/kg in a volume of 1mg/kg) of saline. At 1, 3, 6 and 18 hours post-installation, the rats were sacrificed and underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for functional analysis of inflammation. Beginning at 1 hour post-inslillation, the silica-instilled (Si) rats displayed significant increases in neutrophils in BAL fluid as compared …

Sign-Tracking And Behavioral Contrast: Human Investigations., Karen Leslie Mahon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The current experiments sought to extend human sign-tracking findings and to investigate behavioral contrast in a feature positive/feature negative paradigm with human participants. Twelve undergraduate students participated in one of two studies. Each participant was exposed to between nine and sixteen experimental sessions lasting between 10 and 20 minutes. A touch screen was used to detect touches to a computer monitor in either a feature positive arrangement, a feature negative arrangement, or a multiple VI10s-VI10s schedule presentation. The distinct feature presented was a filled triangle, while common features were filled squares. Reinforcement for touching the screen was not contingent on …

The Impact Of Egalitarian Children's Literature On Occupational Sex Role Stereotyping In Kindergartners And First Graders., Robin Ann Mayer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study aimed to determine if reading children books about people in nontraditional occupations would decrease occupational sex role stereotyping. The study also attempted to identify correlations between students’ occupational sex role stereotyping and the following demographic variables: age, gender, parents’ socioeconomic status, mother’s employment, and traditionality of mother’s employment. One hundred twelve kindergartners and first graders from two rural schools in West Virginia were administered a questionnaire, as a pretest, to determine the degree of which they stereotype 14 occupations according to sex. Of the 14 occupations, 5 were traditionally female sex-typed, 7 were traditionally male sex-typed, and 2 …

Identification Of Content, Priority, And Methods Of Instructional Delivery For A Women's Health Component In An Internal Medicine Residency Program: A Modified Delphi Study., Alicia Jean Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this research was to determine the general content, topics and sub-topics, priorities of the content, and methods of instructional delivery for a women's health component within the Internal Medicine residency program at West Virginia University. Panel members chosen for the study were MD's and PhD's who worked in a health-related field for at least two years and had an interest in women's health. A modified Delphi method was used for this study to determine the content. Panel members also identified their current and preferred methods of instructional delivery in a separate section of the study. The panel …

The Development Of 8-Ono-Adenosine Triplex Dna., Deepak D. Thakkar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Triplex DNA is a unique structure formed by the sequence specific interaction of triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) with DNA, via hydrogen bonds, in its major groove. For this binding to occur base triplets like G(ON)-G:C(DNA), T(ON)-A:T(DNA), C+(ON)-G:C(DNA) must form, subsequent to the interaction of the TFOs with the DNA. TFOs directed to bind to the promoter or to the internal region of the oncogene, can prevent its transcription, and ultimately abolish oncoprotein production. This study has investigated the use of a novel modified nucleoside analog OdA (8-oxo-2{dollar}\\sp\\prime{dollar}-deoxyadenosine) for targeting the G:C rich regions of DNA to form OdA-G:C triplets with …

Estradiol Responsive Neural Systems Involved In Seasonal Breeding In The Ewe., Ivan Stefanovic

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the ewe, seasonal anestrus results from a change in the hypothalamic responsiveness to estradiol (E2) negative feedback. Various studies have demonstrated a role of hypothalamic dopaminergic cell groups in this seasonally dependent E2 effect. However, these neurons do not possess α-estrogen receptors (ER), therefore suggesting existence of another neural system mediating E2 inhibition. In the first study, we attempted to identify these E2-responsive neurons, by screening hypothalamic areas known to contain ER to determine if E2 induced Fos/FRAs expression in any ER-containing neurons. Based on the results of this analysis, we next tested whether the activation of a specific …

Evaluation Of Revegetation Techniques Used On Degraded Agricultural Land In The Central Avon Catchment, Western Australia, Scott J. Bartholomew

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The agricultural region in the central Avon catchment is declining in both arable land and native vegetation. This decline has been due to the clearance of large tracts of native vegetation and its subsequent replacement by exotic crops and pasture species. The loss of vegetation has led to regional land degradation in the form of soil erosion and land salinisation. Therefore, changes in land management practices are required to make agricultural production more compatible with land conservation. Revegetation using native plants is the only management solution that integrates both land and ecological conservation with agricultural productivity. The continuation of current …

A Systematic Evaluation Of Methods To Separate X- And Y- Bearing Sperm, Jacquelyn Irving

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This project was initiated to determine if was possible to enrich either X- or Y- bearing sperm, and hence to preselect the sex of a child. Two of the possible reasons why couple might want to select the sex of a child are firstly because of a family history of an X-linked recessive genetic disorder, which usually only affect sons, and secondly families who have had several children of one sex. For this study, men with three or more children of the same sex were recruited following the publication of an article in The West Australian newspaper. The percentage of …

Performing Cooperative Work And Conferencing On An Intranet Using Java, Thaveeporn Limpanyalers

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The process of organising, preparing and conducting a meeting is a time consuming one. Additionally, geographic separation compounds the amount of effort required. Within this study, an electronic conferencing system in an Intranet environment is designed and implemented, thus enabling employees in the same organisation to meet up electronically without the dual constraints of time and space. Specifically, the study investigates incorporation of facial expressions and an ongoing polling system. The results demonstrate that a presence of facial expressions helps users to better engage in on-line discussion and that users find an ongoing poll to be useful in determining direction …

Fostering Flowers: Women, Landscape And The Psychodynamics Of Gender In 19th Century Australia, Pamela Hodge

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

It is said that when the Sphinx was carved into the bedrock of Egypt it had the head as well as the body of Sekhmet lioness Goddess who presided over the rise and fall of the Nile, and that only much later was the head recarved to resemble a male pharaoh. Simon Schama considered the 'making over' of Mount Rushmore to resemble America's Founding Fathers constituted 'the ultimate colonisation of nature by culture … a distinctly masculine obsession (expressing) physicality, materiality and empirical externality,… a rhetoric of humanity's uncontested possession of nature. It would be comforting to think that, although …

The Nature And Provision Of Instruction In Summary Writing For Students From Years 7-9, D. A. Bergin

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

As students progress through our education system they are increasingly asked to independently comprehend and compose informational material to show evidence of their ability to use and learn from texts. One skill which facilitates students' abilities to learn from texts is summarizing. Research into summarizing suggests it is a complex skill needing explicit and systematic instruction. However, materials to which teachers turn to for advice on strategies and instruction do not always reflect the findings of research. This being the case, this study set out to investigate what teachers understood about the nature of summarizing and the extent to which …

3d Object Recognition Based On Constrained 2d Views, Levente Toth

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The aim of the present work was to build a novel 3D object recognition system capable of classifying man-made and natural objects based on single 2D views. The approach to this problem has been one motivated by recent theories on biological vision and multiresolution analysis. The project's objectives were the implementation of a system that is able to deal with simple 3D scenes and constitutes an engineering solution to the problem of 3D object recognition, allowing the proposed recognition system to operate in a practically acceptable time frame. The developed system takes further the work on automatic classification of marine …

Developing Performance Support Systems For Complex Tasks: Lessons From A Lesson Planning System, Martyn Wild

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

There lacks coherent and persuasive rationales for the further development of computer-based, interactive educational materials, for tertiary settings. Indeed, educational software arising out of what might be coined the “multimedia era”, namely the mid and later 19902, has been marked by lacklustre products with an emphasis in development and evaluation placed largely on technological issues (such as the use of video, sound and animations). As such, the rapid increase in commercially available (usually CD based) products has generally met a cool adoption from academics and educationalists, with both these groups often bemoaning the paucity or non-existence of effective instructional design …

Genetic Variation Within And Among Populations Of Florida Burrowing Owls (Athene Cunicularia Floridana), Wendy T. Denton

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

This study employed DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PGR) and Single-Stranded Conformation Polymorphisms (SSCP) on a mitochondrial control region target to assess population structure and possible gene flow in the Florida Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia floridana), a Florida Species of Special Concern. Although widespread in Florida, Burrowing Owls occur at low densities in semi-isolated populations that are susceptible to extirpation from human development and the demographic consequences of small population size. To better manage these populations, there is a need for data on the population genetic structure of the Florida Burrowing Owl. Therefore, I acquired DNA from Burrowing Owls …

Faculty Senate Librarian's Report-1998, Georgia Southern University

Faculty Senate: Librarian's Reports

No abstract provided.

A Further Study Of Deprivation And Revolutions, Roddy James Hatch Iii

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Coverboards For Sampling Salamanders In South Georgia, Charles Michael Houze Jr.

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

Salamanders are important components of many forested communities. However, their fossorial habits and seasonality often make them difficult to sample. The use of artificial coverboards (coverboards) is a relatively new and little-studied technique for monitoring the terrestrial activity of salamanders Coverboards are designed to simulate fallen tree limbs and logs, and to provide a moist refuge for forest salamanders. Despite several studies, questions remain concerning the value of coverboards. Therefore, I conducted an experiment in 1996-1997 to determine whether coverboards are as effective for sampling salamanders as searching natural cover objects such as logs and branches. Using a paired design, …

Randy Moon V. Career Service Review Board, And The Utah Department Of Natural Resources : Brief Of Appellant, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

APPELLANT'S BRIEF

State Of Utah V. Larry G. Bohne : Brief Of Appellant, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

Appeal from a Judgment, Sentence, Stay of Execution of Sentence, Order of Probation and Certificate of Probable Cause, filed August 3, 1998, by the Fifth Judicial District Court of Iron County, State of Utah, the Honorable Robert T. Braithwaite, presiding.

Title: Robert Kurth And Laura Kurth, Individually, And As Trustees Of The Kurth Revocable Trust V. Daniel R. Wiarda, Individually, And Lonetree Services, Inc., A Utah Corporation, D.B.A. Lonetree Log Homes : Brief Of Appellant, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

Appeal from the Order With Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law by the Honorable Robert T. Braithwaite, in and for the Fifth Judicial District Court, Iron County, State of Utah, entered in this matter on or about June 17, 1998.

State Of Utah V. J.R. Miller : Brief Of Appellee, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

APPEAL FROM CONVICTIONS FOR THEFT, A SECOND DEGREE FELONY, IN VIOLATION OF UTAH CODE ANN. § 76-6-404 (1995), AND THEFT, A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR, IN VIOLATION OF UTAH CODE ANN. § 76-6-404 (1995), IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT IN AND FOR GRAND COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH, THE HONORABLE JUDGE LYLE ANDERSON, PRESIDING.

Wilkinson Family Farm Llc V. Lara L. Babcock And All Other Parties Known Or Unknwon That May Claim An Interest In The Real Property Described Herein : Brief Of Appellant, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

APPELLANT'S BRIEF

Appeal from Second Judicial District Court of Weber County, State of Utah The Honorable Michael J. Glasmann, District Court Judge ROBERT A.

Resource Use In The Trinational Sangha River Region Of Equatorial Africa: Histories, Knowledge Forms, And Institutions, Heather E. Eves, Rebecca Hardin, Stephanie Rupp

Yale School of the Environment Bulletin Series

This volume is based on an international conference, “Natural Resource Use Relations in the Trinational Sangha River Region of the Northwest Congo Basin,” held at Yale University in September 1997. In recognition of the bilingual context in which conservation occurs in the three countries of the Sangha region — Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Congo — all sessions of the conference were conducted simultaneously in French and English. This publication, which is a complete rendering of the conference papers and discussion sessions, is available in its entirety in both French and English.

The State Of Utah V. Alfred P. Katoa : Reply Brief, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

REPLY BRIEF OF APPELLANT Appeal from a judgment of conviction for two counts of Automobile Homicide, a third degree felony, in violation of Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-207(1) (1995), in the Third Judicial District Court in and for Salt Lake County, State of Utah, the Honorable Stephen L. Henriod, Judge, presiding.

Randy G. Moon V. Career Service Review Board, And The Utah Department Of Natural Resources : Brief Of Respondent, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (1996–2006)

APPEAL OF THE FINAL DECISION OF THE UTAH CAREER SERVICE REVIEW BOARD, AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY OF THE STATE OF UTAH