Digital Commons Network^™

Trace Elements In Speleothems. A Short Review Of The State Of The Art, Sophie Verheyden

International Journal of Speleology

A state of the art of the research on trace elements of speleothems is given. First studies focussed on problems such as the colour of speleothems and the aragonite problem. Insitu studies and studies oriented towards a better understanding of vadose hydrology brought new insights in the controls on trace elemental composition of speleothems. Recent studies deal with microscale analyses and annual and intra-annual chemistry changes. Further in-situ studies should be performed to further differentiate influences, such as climate, soil/weathering and local hydrology in order to better constrain possible transfer functions between the surface and a speleothem.

Pragmatism And Freedom Of Speech, George R. Wright

North Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

Crash Analysis: An Investigation Of Current Speed Estimation Techniques, Robert Rice

Masters

The increasing number of cars and collisions on the roads of Europe ensure that the need for accurate speed estimation is an ever-more pressing requirement. This requirement has provided the motivation for an investigation into the accuracy and reliability of existing crash models An in-depth literature review was undertaken to create a greater understanding of the structural collapse behaviour of vehicles during full frontal collisions. It was decided to concentrate the work on frontal collisions as this type of accident makes up the majority of road accidents. This review underlined some of the phenomena that need to be considered when …

Towards A Unified Spatial-Temporal Data Model And Query Language For Geographical Information Systems., Patrick Browne, Mike Jackson

Conference papers

This paper outlines the principle features of a Ph.D. programme of work. Section one describes the aims of the research. Section two looks at the nature of digital maps and their importance in the broader context of geographic information. Section three looks at the two major aspects of the research. Section four discusses the role of category theory in the research. Finally the conclusion is presented in section five.

An Analysis Of Case-Base Editing In A Spam Filtering Systems, Sarah Jane Delany, Padraig Cunningham

Conference papers

Because of the changing nature of spam, a spam filtering system that uses machine learning will need to be dynamic. This suggests that a case-based (memory-based) approach may work well. Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is a lazy approach to machine learning where induction is delayed to run time. This means that the case base can be updated continuously and new training data is immediately available to the induction process. In this paper we present a detailed description of such a system called ECUE and evaluate design decisions concerning the case representation. We compare its performance with an alternative system that uses …

An Assessment Of Case Base Reasoning For Short Text Message Classification, Matt Healy, Sarah Jane Delany, Anton Zamolotskikh

Conference papers

Message classification is a text classification task that has provoked much interest in machine learning. One aspect of message classification that presents a particular challenge is the classification of short text messages. This paper presents an assessment of applying a case based approach that was developed for long text messages (specifically spam filtering) to short text messages. The evaluation involves determining the most appropriate feature types and feature representation for short text messages and then comparing the performance of the case-based classifier with both a Naıve Bayes classifier and a Support Vector Machine. Our evaluation shows that short text messages …

Openmvc: A Non-Proprietary Component-Based Framework For Web Applications, Ronan Barrett, Sarah Jane Delany

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

The Distribution Of Radon Concentration In Caves, Arrigo A. Cigna

International Journal of Speleology

Radon concentration in caves is known to vary within an extremely wide range. Here the distribution of the average values of radon concentration is examined and a power law describing is identified, i.e. radon concentration has a fractal dimension D=1.26. This fact means that concentrations are not grouped around a mean value, a characteristic common to many other phenomena.

Digital Mountain: From Granite Archive To Global Access, William A. Barrett, Luke A. D. Hutchison, Douglas J. Kennard, Heath E. Nielson, Dallan Quass

Faculty Publications

Large-scale, multi-terabyte digital libraries are becoming feasible due to decreasing costs of storage, CPU, and bandwidth. However, costs associated with preparing content for input into the library remain high due to the amount of human labor required. This paper describes the Digital Microfilm Pipeline – a sequence of image processing operations used to populate a large-scale digital library from a “mountain” of microfilm and reduce the human labor involved. Essential parts of the pipeline include algorithms for document zoning and labeling, consensus-based template creation, reversal of geometric transformations and Just-In-Time Browsing, an interactive technique for progressive access of image content …

Fast Registration Of Tabular Document Images Using The Fourier-Mellin Transform, William A. Barrett, Luke A. D. Hutchison

Faculty Publications

A new technique is presented for quickly identifying global affine transformations applied to tabular document images, and to correct for those transformations. This technique, based on the Fourier-Mellin transform, is used to register (align) a set of tabular documents to each other. Each component of the affine transform is handled separately, which dramatically reduces the total parameter space of the problem. This method is robust, and deals with all components of the affine transform in a uniform way. The Fourier-Mellin transform is also extended to handle shear, which can approximate a small amount of perspective distortion, and to not need …

The Work-Family Conflict: Developing A Model Of Parental Accommodation In The Workplace, Debbie N. Kaminer

American University Law Review

No abstract provided.

An Integer-Programming Model For Assigning Projects To Project Managers, Peerasit Patanakul, Dragan Milošević, Timothy R. Anderson

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study proposes an integer-programming model as a systematic methodology for assigning projects to project managers (project manager assignments). This model is a valuable extension of the existing methodologies in the literature since it considers the strategic elements of an organization and organizational/personal limitations in project manager assignments in addition to project requirements and competencies of project managers as being considered in the existing methodologies. By using this proposed model, management can assign projects to project managers in a way that contributes to the project and organizational performance.

Time To Make History, Time To Educate Women: A Narrative Of The Life And Work Of Christiana Thorpe Of Sierra Leone, Whitney Mcintyre

Kroc IPJ Research and Resources

Women on the frontline of efforts to end violence and secure a just peace seldom record their experiences, activities and insights – as generally there is no time or, perhaps, they do not have formal education that would help them record their stories. The Women PeaceMakers Program is a selective program for leaders who want to document, share and build upon their unique peacemaking stories. Selected peacemakers join the IPJ for an eight-week residency.

Women PeaceMakers are paired with a Peace Writer to document in written form their story of living in conflict and building peace in their communities and …

The Latecomer: The Life And Work Of Zarina Salamat Of Pakistan, Kathleen Hughart

Kroc IPJ Research and Resources

Women on the frontline of efforts to end violence and secure a just peace seldom record their experiences, activities and insights – as generally there is no time or, perhaps, they do not have formal education that would help them record their stories. The Women PeaceMakers Program is a selective program for leaders who want to document, share and build upon their unique peacemaking stories. Selected peacemakers join the IPJ for an eight-week residency.

Women PeaceMakers are paired with a Peace Writer to document in written form their story of living in conflict and building peace in their communities and …

University Of San Diego Football Media Guide 2004, University Of San Diego Athletics Department

Football (Men)

64 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 21.5 x 28 cm

The Creation And Development Of An Afrocentric Christian College: Imani Kuumba College And Graduate School, Juanita M. Browne Edd

Dissertations

The study examines Imani Kuumba College, (IKC), an Afrocentric Christian College. Since previous research does not examine any higher institution that provides a type of learning that focuses totally on the study of the Afrocentric world, this historical case study describes a unique educational institution that proposes to teach from a focus designed to raise self-esteem for African-Americans and racial understanding for other groups by studying the African-American experience, historically, spiritually and culturally. The study begins with an introduction that outlines the environmental and societal issues that motivated the creation of this innovative institution and its unique program. After discussion …

Undergraduate Bulletin Of The University Of San Diego 2004-2006, University Of San Diego

Undergraduate Course Catalogs (1973- )

274 pages : illustrations, photographs ; 28 cm

Heuristics For A Brokering Set Packing Problem, Yunso Guo, Andrew Lim, Brian Rodrigues, Yi Zhu

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In this paper we formulate the combinatorial auction brokering problem as a Set Packing Problem (SPP) and apply a simulated annealing heuristic to solve SPP. Experimental results are compared with a recent heuristic algorithm and also with the CPLEX Integer Programming solver where we found that the simulated annealing approach outperforms the previous heuristic method and CPLEX obtaining results within smaller timescales.

An Analysis Of Computer-Mediated Communication Technologies As Tools To Enhance Learning., Ana I. Casanova

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The integration of computer-mediated communication (CMC) technologies into the higher educational settings have required faculty to change their roles from the direct instructional model to a model based on constructivists' ideas. CMC instructional tools (ITs) have provided a change by shifting a traditional teacher-centered setting into a teacher facilitator environment. Teacher's professional development has become an important task to effectively integrate technology into their courses. Questions concerning the implementation and value of CMC technologies and their impact in higher education are not yet clear. The purpose of this research study was to determine the extent to which CMC technologies promoted …

Human Capital And Learning As A Source Of Sustainable Competitive Advantage, Nile W. Hatch, Jeffrey H. Dyer

Faculty Publications

This paper seeks to identify the sources of wide and persistent variations in learning performance in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. In the resource-based view of the firm, human capital is frequently assumed to contribute to competitive advantage due to its inimitability based on its intangible, firm-specific, and socially complex nature. Consistent with this view, we find that investments in firm-specific human capital have a significant impact on learning and firm performance. More specifically, human capital selection (education requirements and screening), development through training, and deployment significantly improve learning by doing, which in turn improves performance. However, we find that acquiring …

Risky Loss Distributions And Modeling The Loss Reserve Pay-Out Tail, J. David Cummins, James B. Mcdonald, Craig B. Merrill

Faculty Publications

Although an extensive literature has developed on modeling the loss reserve runoff triangle, the estimation of severity distributions applicable to claims settled in specific cells of the runoff triangle has received little attention in the literature. This paper proposes the use of a very flexible probability density function, the generalized beta of the 2nd kind (GB2) to model severity distributions in the cells of the runoff triangle and illustrates the use of the GB2 based on a sample of nearly 500,000 products liability paid claims. The results show that the GB2 provides a significantly better fit to the severity data …

Analysis Of Photoassociation Spectra For Giant Helium Dimers, J. Léonard, A. P. Mosk, M. Walhout, P. Van Der Straten

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

A theoretical analysis was performed to interpret the spectra of long-range helium dimers produced by photoassociation in an ultracold gas of metastable helium atoms. The vibrational spectra for the purely long range molecular states was also calculated using adiabatic potentials obtained from perturbation theory. The results confirmed the lifetime of the 23P atomic state. The experimental data allowed for a test of tiny vibration-induced couplings between electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom.

Speed-Up Collisions In Strong-Field Double Ionization, Stanley L. Haan, J. C. Cully, K. Hoekema

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

We compare quantum and classical models of double ionization (DI) for aligned-electron helium in strong laser fields, considering specifically the role of recollision processes in which the returning electron travels in the direction of the laser force. Quantum studies show that for the knee region in our model a small but persistent portion of the total DI occurs through these speed-up collisions. We show that classical modeling displays similar collisions and reveals that with-the-force doubly ionizing collisions typically involve two-particle trajectories in which both electrons can be said to have been bound or very nearly bound at the zero of …

On The Historical School Of Jurisprudence, Robert E. Rodes

Journal Articles

Legal theory has tended to treat the Historical School as a poor relation, but it has important contributions to make. Developed in opposition to the one-size-fits-all form of natural law that eventuated in the Code Napoleon, it attributes law to a Volksgeist, the spirit of a people, as developed in the peculiar historical experience of that people. The original German proponents of the school had trouble explaining the reception of Roman law in Germany, but despite the importation of technical elements from without, a people's laws are in fact part of their culture and of their spiritual heritage as these …

2004 Usd Fact Book, University Of San Diego

USD Fact Books (1985- )

No abstract provided.

Microstructure Studies In Surfacant Systems, Vivek Agarwal

Open Access Dissertations

Microstructures in two mixed surfactants systems that show novel transformations as a function of composition and temperature have been explored. Indirect imaging methods like Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) along with direct imaging methods like Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy (Cryo-TEM) and recently developed Freeze Fracture Direct Imaging (FFDD have been used extensively to characterize and identify the changes in the microstructures in the mixed surfactant systems as a function of composition, temperature and external force fields.

As water is added to a solution of an anionic surfactant, AOT (2 ethylhexyl sodium sulfosuccinate) and a zwitterionic surfactant, lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) in isooctane, …

Resilience In Ex-Refugees From Cambodia And Vietnam, Lynne Ee Lin Yong

Open Access Dissertations

The negative impacts of various forms of trauma on the physical and mental health of victims are well documented, including the experiences of the French Indo-Chinese, who suffered a range of traumatic experiences ranging from displacement to torture. However, a sizable percentage of French Indo-Chinese refugees living in the U.S. do not exhibit psychopathology. Very little is known about the Indo-Chinese refugees who are not seeking services and are doing well in their host country. This study focused on resilient Cambodian and Vietnamese ex-refugees, with the goal of identifying resiliency factors and their underlying processes, in order to inform the …

Management Of Flounder Infectious Necrotizing Enteritis (Fine) In Cultured Juvenile Summer Flounder, Eric Joseph Gauger

Open Access Dissertations

Knowledge that can be applied towards the diagnosis and prevention of Flounder Infectious Necrotizing Enteritis in summer flounder ( Paralichthys dentatus), caused by the bacterial pathogen Vibrio harveyi, are presented in this research. Biochemical profiles are insufficient to differentiate V. harveyi from other closely related species. Biochemical profiles can, however, be used in conjunction with 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing to provide a reliable method for identifying V. harveyi. A monitoring program for V. harveyi and other potential bacterial pathogens in cultured juvenile summer flounder found that V. harveyi was the most abundant and commonly found bacterial species in juvenile summer …

Transboundary Impacts Of Fishing Activities Along The Northeast Continental Shelf, Mark Lucas Soboil

Open Access Dissertations

In Manuscript I, I construct a stylized conceptual model to evaluate the international trade of the Atlantic groundfish fishery between the US and Canada. The model incorporates both the biological and economic components of the fishery, and explores the environmental, economic and some welfare implications through trade. First I explore the consequence of each country imposing a different fishery management regime. Second, I incorporate the spatial dynamics of the stock into this framework. Third, I use the conceptual model to discover the effects this may have on international trade. And finally I include the spatial dynamics of the stock into …

Issues Of Gender And Peer Collaboration In A Problem-Solving Computer Activity, Laurie E. Center

Open Access Dissertations

The study investigated student attitude and performance on one problem solving computer activity. Four sections of 61 sixth grade students were randomly assigned to either individual computer instruction or same-sex collaborative pairs for six lessons with the spatial perspectives software, Building Perspectives. Students completed pre and post Computer Attitude Questionnaires (CAQ) and Mental Rotation Tests (MRT) to assess differences in attitude and performance between the instructional environment and/or student gender. Results do not indicate significant differences between the independent and collaborative pairs' environments. Boys, however, significantly outperform girls on both pre and post tests of spatial abilities. Moreover, students significantly …