Digital Commons Network^™

Ada News - 12/15/2003, American Dental Association, Publishing Division

ADA News

Established in 1970 as the official newspaper of the American Dental Association, the ADA News serves practicing dentists and others allied to the dental profession in the U.S. and internationally. It is the No. 1 source of news and information about the many benefits and services the ADA delivers to members daily as well as timely information on scientific, social, political and economic developments affecting dentistry and health care.

A Novel Earplug System For Filtering Out Dental Noise, Jiang-Ren Chang, Huan-Kun Cheng, Sheng-Yang Lee, Mingsian R. Bai, Rong-I Lean

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Undergoing dental treatment is usually a very unpleasant experience for people who have toothaches, especially when they are hurting and there exists some intolerable mechanical noise. To reduce the noise and promote the work efficiency of dentists, a new noisefiltering earplug system with optional music was developed to filter out dental machine noise; if necessary, it can also be adopted as a solution to reduce pain and anxiety of patients during treatments. Furthermore, it can also simultaneously serve as a communication tool between the patient and dentist. In this study, various kinds of noises were initially collected through an off-line …

The Bg News December 15, 2003, Bowling Green State University

BG News (Student Newspaper)

The BGSU campus student newspaper. December 15, 2003. Volume 94-Issue 74.

Experimenting With Tcpa/Tcg Hardware, Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bear, John Marchesini, Sean Smith, Omen Wild, Rich Macdonald

Computer Science Technical Reports

Over the last few years, our group has been working on applications of secure coprocessors---but has been frustrated by the limited computational environment and high expense of such devices. Over the last few years, the TCPA (now TCG) has produced a specification for a trusted platform module (TPM)---a small hardware addition intended to improve the overall security of a larger machine (and tied up with a still-murky vision of Windows-based trusted computing). Some commodity desktops now come up with these TPMs. Consequently, we began an experiment to see if (in the absence of a Non-Disclosure Agreement) we could use this …

2003 - 2004 Bulletin, Loma Linda University

School of Public Health Bulletins

Loma Linda University
Bulletin of the School of Public Health
2003-2004

Volume 92, Number 2, December 15, 2003

December 15, 2003 Reporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of Nanodispersion In Polystyrene-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites By Solid State Nmr, Serge Bourbigot, David L. Vanderhart, Jeffery W. Gilman Sr., Walid Awad, Rick D. Davis, Alexander B. Morgan, Charles A. Wilkie

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Nanocomposites result from combinations of materials with vastly different properties in the nanometer scale. These materials exhibit many unique properties such as improved thermal stability, reduced flammability, and improved mechanical properties. Many of the properties associated with polymer–clay nanocomposites are a function of the extent of exfoliation of the individual clay sheets or the quality of the nanodispersion. This work demonstrates that solid-state NMR can be used to characterize, quantitatively, the nanodispersion of variously modified montmorillonite (MMT) clays in polystyrene (PS) matrices. The direct influence of the paramagnetic Fe3, embedded in the aluminosilicate layers of MMT, on polymer protons within …

Lessons For Poverty Reduction: The Experience Of Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Ishrat Husain Dr.

Faculty Research - Talks, Speeches, & Discourse

I am grateful to the organizers of this Conference for providing me the opportunity to address this august gathering of scholars, practioners, donors, public and civil society institutions and ultimate beneficiaries of rural development policy and progammes, not only in Pakistan, but also from our neighbouring countries in South, West and Central Asia. I have had the pleasure of keeping in touch with the AKRSP since its inception through my senior colleague and teacher, Mr. Shoaib Sultan Khan. His commitment, sense of dedication and sincerity have turned this small experiment into an international success story. In my previous incarnation as …

Influence Of C3S Content Of Cement On Concrete Sulfate Durability, Natalya G. Shanahan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The influence of tricalcium silicate content of cement on concrete durability has long been a topic of discussion in the literature. The objective of this investigation was to determine whether increasing tricalcium silicate content of cement has a negative effect on concrete sulfate durability. Several mill certificates were reviewed to select cements with similar tricalcium aluminate content and variable tricalcium silicate contents. Cements selected for this study were randomly labeled as cements C, D, D2, E, and P.

The following properties were assessed for the as-received cements: Blaine fineness, particle size distribution, chemical oxide content, and mineralogical content. Three different …

A Normalization Scheme Of Bidirectional Reflectances And Normalized Vegetation Indices For Short-Term Multi-Angular Spot Satellite Images, Chien-Hui Liu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Though the view angle range of SPOT HRV is smaller as compared to those of NOAA AVHRR, EOS MODIS/MISR and ADEOS POLDER, numerous researchers had showed significant bi-directional effect of ground reflectance for decades. Currently, there's no existing normalization method of bidirectional reflectances for multitemporal SPOT images. In this study, a normalization scheme for multi-angular SPOT data is proposed. This scheme will correct both atmospheric and bidirectional effect for short-term multi-temporal SPOT data. Five SPOT images scanned within twelve days are used. The results show that the variation of trees reflectance to viewing zenith angle is very significant. The proposed …

Book Reviews In The Earth And Atmospheric Sciences Journal Literature, Carolyn Laffoon, Michael Fosmire

Libraries Research Publications

As library budgets continue to lag behind increases in the cost of scholarly information in the geosciences, it becomes increasingly important for librarians to make good choices in collection development. One way to get more information about books to make an informed acquisition decision is through reading reviews, and especially timely reviews. Whereas the major book review indexes only cover geoscience titles sporadically, the authors decided to undertake a full study of the literature in earth and atmospheric sciences to find out which journals contain book reviews, and how old the books are that are reviewed. This study is modeled …

Information Labs: The Next Best Thing In Information Literacy Instruction?, Michael Fosmire

Libraries Research Publications

As higher education transforms itself from a lecture-dominated enterprise to one that encourages active engagement by the students with the curriculum, librarians have a new avenue for inserting themselves into the educational mission of the university. At Purdue University, the libraries have been successful integrating problem-based learning activities into curricula in several departments. One of the most successful ventures at Purdue has been in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, where, in addition to our regular instructional presence, we have created ‘information labs’ in two courses so far, including the first year survey course taken by all EAS majors. The information …

Are Stock Prices Related To New York's Climatic Conditions?, Matthew M. Cullen

Honors Theses

The past five years has shown tremendous growth in a new wave and style of investing strategy. This new style, known as behavioral investing, attempts to analyze financial markets through the eye of a social scientist rather than a financial professional. Its followers try to see market movements as affected not necessarily by the business or economy but by the cognition and mood of buyers and seller. This paper analyzes the effect of climatic conditions on mood and the effect that has on market movements and volume. For the most part, it was found that there is no significant relationship …

Accumulation Of Electron Spin Polarization At Semiconductor Interfaces, Yuriy V. Pershin Dr

Faculty Publications

In this Brief Report we study theoretically the propagation of electron spin polarization through an interface separating two n-type semiconductor regions within the two-component drift-diffusion model in an applied electric field. It is assumed that inhomogeneous spin polarization is created locally by a continuous source of spin polarization and is driven through the boundary by the electric field. The spin polarization distribution is calculated analytically. We find that for specific values of parameters describing the system, the electron spin polarization is accumulated near the interface. A simple analytical expression for the amplitude of spin accumulation as a function of the …

University Of Central Florida Commencement, December 15 & 16, 2003, University Of Central Florida

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Strong Field Detachment Of A Negative Ion With Non-Zero Angular Momentum: Application To F-, M. V. Frolov, N. L. Manakov, E. A. Pronin, Anthony F. Starace

Anthony F. Starace Publications

We apply our recently developed, model-independent quantum approach for intense laser detachment of a weakly bound electron to interpret a recent experiment on above-threshold detachment (ATD) of the F^- ion. We find that the measured electron energies correspond to the “Keldysh part” of the ATD spectrum, just below the onset of our predicted rescattering plateau. Overall, our predicted ATD spectrum (using a scaled peak intensity and focal averaging) is in excellent agreement with the experimental data, except for certain structures observed for electron energies above 12.6 eV that we attribute to known two-electron resonances of F^-. A …

The Express: December 13, 2003, Taylor University Fort Wayne

2003-2004 (Volume 8)

MLK Jr. Day: Ministry for reconciliation — Housing summit sums up men’s future housing options — Grace Notes — ’Tis the season for the cinema — The Express Index — Gyertson: His passions drive the direction of his presidency — Men’s basketball jumps into gear — The truth about campus health — The Top Ten

Fall Commencement Program, December 13, 2003, Coastal Carolina University

Commencement Programs

Program of Commencement Exercises at Coastal Carolina University.

Commencement Program 2003 December, Gcsu Special Collections

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

South Dakota State University Graduation Exercises, December 13, 2003, Brookings, South Dakota, South Dakota State University

Commencement Programs

Please be advised that the names listed in the program do not constitute official confirmation of meeting the graduation requirements. The 2003 Graduation Exercises ceremony will commence with introductions by University President Peggy Gordon Miller. Honorary marshals for the occasion are Dr. Charles R. McMullen, Professor Emeritus of Biology and Microbiology, and Ms. Harriet P. Swedlund, Assistant Professor Emerita of Apparel Merchandising and Director of International Programs Emerita. Providing the graduation address titled "Now, What Are You Going To Do To Make Yourself Happy?" will be V.J. Smith, Executive Director of the SDSU Alumni Association. Dr. Carol J. Peterson, Provost …

Mustang Daily, December 13, 2003

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Ua45/6 Commencement Program, Wku Registrar

WKU Administration Documents

Commencement program listing graduates.

Commencement Convocation Program, Tampa Campus, December 13, 2003, University Of South Florida

USF Graduation and Convocation Programs

King O'Neal Scholars - Stephanie Alexis Alford, Ann Marie Galle, Jeffery Kehu Harper, Peggy Kledzik, Debra Anne Brown, Sharon Lee Kephart, and Brian Christopher Hayes; Honorary Doctorate of Humanities - Delia P. Sanchez; Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration - Leslie Muma

Police Officers' Perception Of The Validity Of The General Theory Of Crime., William Jaison Giesler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study measured police officers perception of the validity of General Theory of Crime. Using a sample of 117 officers and an adapted version of the Grasmick et al. (1993) self-control scale, this study measures the level of agreement officers exhibit that low self-control traits are present in property and violent offenders. Measurement is also performed to determine variation in officers agreement based on the personal characteristics gender, age, education, experience, and rank.

Findings indicate officers show agreement with self-control items across the six dimensions of self control traits, as well as significant variation in agreement with the property offender …

The Use Of Selected Water Quality Parameters To Identify Fecal Coliform Sources In Support Of The Sinking Creek Total Maximum Daily Load., Susana Maria Floresguerra

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sinking Creek, located in upper east Tennessee, is on the 303(d) list for not meeting minimum water quality standards for recreation. A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for fecal coliforms was developed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of water quality parameters to identify areas that contribute to the fecal coliform loading. Concentrations of nitrate-N, orthophosphates, BOD, alkalinity, hardness, and optical brighteners (OB) were monitored at fourteen stations monthly for one year. Site 3 (agricultural region) exhibited the highest average nitrate-N loadings (627.34 mg/sec) and orthophosphate (as PO₄^3-) loadings (84.83 mg/sec). Alkalinity loadings …

Generalizing List Scheduling For Stochastic Soft Real-Time Parallel Applications, Yoginder Singh Dandass

Theses and Dissertations

Advanced architecture processors provide features such as caches and branch prediction that result in improved, but variable, execution time of software. Hard real-time systems require tasks to complete within timing constraints. Consequently, hard real-time systems are typically designed conservatively through the use of tasks? worst-case execution times (WCET) in order to compute deterministic schedules that guarantee task?s execution within giving time constraints. This use of pessimistic execution time assumptions provides real-time guarantees at the cost of decreased performance and resource utilization. In soft real-time systems, however, meeting deadlines is not an absolute requirement (i.e., missing a few deadlines does not …

Solutions To The Navier-Stokes Equations In A Non-Inertial Reference Frame, Kishore Satya Majety

Theses and Dissertations

A general rotating frame formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations has been added to the incompressible and arbitrary Mach number versions of UNCLE. While eliminating the need for moving grids, this formulation also reduces the error caused by linear approximations of rotational motion. The formulation is validated for single axis rotations by comparing the simulations of a marine propeller and an isolated helicopter rotor with experimental data. A simulation of the helicopter rotor in pitching motion is also performed. Results are compared between the non-inertial reference frame formulation and absolute frame solver for a prolate spheroid with all the components of …

Commencement Convocation Exercises - December 2003, Prairie View A&M University

Commencement and Convocation Exercises

No abstract provided.

Application Of Reinforcement Learning To Multi-Agent Production Scheduling, Yi-Chi Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Reinforcement learning (RL) has received attention in recent years from agent-based researchers because it can be applied to problems where autonomous agents learn to select proper actions for achieving their goals based on interactions with their environment. Each time an agent performs an action, the environment¡Šs response, as indicated by its new state, is used by the agent to reward or penalize its action. The agent¡Šs goal is to maximize the total amount of reward it receives over the long run. Although there have been several successful examples demonstrating the usefulness of RL, its application to manufacturing systems has not …

Network Training For Continuous Speech Recognition, Issac John Alphonso

Theses and Dissertations

Spoken language processing is one of the oldest and most natural modes of information exchange between humans beings. For centuries, people have tried to develop machines that can understand and produce speech the way humans do so naturally. The biggest problem in our inability to model speech with computer programs and mathematics results from the fact that language is instinctive, whereas, the vocabulary and dialect used in communication are learned. Human beings are genetically equipped with the ability to learn languages, and culture imprints the vocabulary and dialect on each member of society. This thesis examines the role of pattern …