Digital Commons Network^™

Influences On The Establishment Of County Wildfire Risk Mitigation: The Case Of California's Fire Safe Councils, Timothy Richard Soileau

LSU Master's Theses

In response to increased annual wildfire destruction and insufficient wildfire mitigation approaches from the federal government, the state of California adopted Public Resources Code Sections 4290 and 4291 in the year 1991. These laws force the removal of fire-causing agents from public and private areas, and establish what is known as defensible space. Defensible space is defined in Section 4291 as the area within the perimeter of a parcel, development, neighborhood, or community where basic wildland fire protection practices and measures are implemented, providing the key point of defense from an approaching wildfire or escaping structure fire. One method to …

Improved Watermarking Scheme Using Decimal Sequences, Naveed Shaik Ashfaq

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis improves upon the work carried out by Mandhani on decimal sequence watermarking showing that the embedding and decoding algorithms used by Mandhani are not robust. We next specify improvements to these algorithms so that the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) is maximized and the distortion introduced in the image due to the embedding is minimized. By exploiting the cross correlation property of decimal sequences, the concept of embedding more than one watermark in the same cover image has been investigated. A comparison between the PSNRs for decimal sequence watermarking and other pseudorandom sequences has been made.

Autonomic Nervous System Modulation Of The Heart Following A High Carbohydrate Liquid Meal, Calynn Davis Bunol

LSU Master's Theses

The involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathology of obesity has long been a debate among researchers. Various methods of capturing the resting sympathetic activity as well as the response of the sympathetic activity elicited by the introduction of a meal or a bout of exercise in both lean and obese individuals have been investigated. This study examined the autonomic modulation of the heart following a high carbohydrate liquid meal in various body types. Twenty-five females with body mass indexes [weight (kg)/height²(m)] ranging from 19.3-39.5 were grouped according to relative basal energy expenditure adjusted for lean …

Scalable Schemes Against Distributed Denial Of Service Attacks, Kishori Nanduri

LSU Master's Theses

Defense against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks is one of the primary concerns on the Internet today. DDoS attacks are difficult to prevent because of the open, interconnected nature of the Internet and its underlying protocols, which can be used in several ways to deny service. Attackers hide their identity by using third parties such as private chat channels on IRC (Internet Relay Chat). They also insert false return IP address, spoofing, in a packet which makes it difficult for the victim to determine the packet's origin. We propose three novel and realistic traceback mechanisms which offer many advantages …

Stability Of Stochastic Pricing Models Under Volatility Fluctuations, Krassimir Zhivkov Nikolov

LSU Master's Theses

The standard theory of the stochastic models used to value financial derivatives contracts involves models whose input parameters are deterministic functions and often constants. Because of the random nature of the changes in the market prices of the financial instruments, the coefficients of these models are inevitably susceptible to random perturbation from their initial estimates. In this paper we will investigate the behavior of some of the most widely used models when small changes are applied to their volatility component. Starting with the Black-Scholes model for the price of a European call option, we will continue our analysis of the …

Petite Women: Fit And Body Shape Analysis, Lisa Barona Mcroberts

LSU Master's Theses

Only small quantities of apparel are available to the domestic petite sector, and they do not fit well due to lack of attention to proportion. In addition, other factors contributing to improper fit are a sizing system based on outdated anthropometric data gathered in the 1930s to create the voluntary product standard PS 42-70, and a rising obesity problem, resulting in an array of figure type variations ranging from apple-shaped to pear-shaped women, as opposed to the industry focused hourglass shape. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate fit and design with figure type variations for petite women, …

A Bioeconomic Supply Model For Louisiana Nutria And Impacts On Wetlands Conservation Associated With Economic Incentives, Cheikhna Ould Dedah

LSU Master's Theses

Nutria (Mayocastor) were first introduced to Louisiana in 1938. With few natural predators and high prolific productivity, they became well established in the surrounding coastal marsh within a few years. Prior to 1980’s, as a result of high demand for nutria products from European countries, harvest pressure was sufficient to keep the population in ‘check’ with their wetlands capacity. By the mid-1980’s, however, prices had fallen sharply, culminating in declining annual harvests and an increasing population. Because of their feeding habits, the increased nutria population has resulted in a substantial amount of wetland degradation. In this thesis, a long-run bioeconomic …

Roc Comparison Of Acquisition Parameters For Two Pet/Ct Scanners Based On Lesion Detectability In A Torso Phantom, Kenneth Bernstein

LSU Master's Theses

Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) are well established and powerful tools for medical diagnostics but even integrated PET/CT scanner images still lack the necessary quality and resolution that would make medical diagnoses flawless. In this thesis experiments were performed to statistically determine the effect that image acquisition parameters have upon diagnostic accuracy. Images from different PET/CT scanners were assessed by comparing subject human diagnostic accuracy from a sample of both professional and student volunteers. The assessment results were compared to the objective NEMA-standards performance data provided by the manufacturers for each scanner. The data analysis method is …

Statistical Properties Of Chaotic Billiards., Hongkun Zhang

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Cns Connections, Winter 2005-06, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Natural Sciences.

CNS Connections

Inside this issue:

-- Message from the Dean
-- At Last: An updated home for Physics
-- PSM degrees a coming attraction at UNI
-- CEEE celebrates 10 productive years
-- CNS inaugurates special Preview Day
-- Faculty and Student Research Highlights
-- Purple Pride
-- UNI offers many opportunities in the classroom and beyond
-- Update from the Centers
-- Two programs increase diversity in Math Department
-- College News
-- ChemWall provides passport to Chemistry at UNI
-- Industrial Tech students build renewable energy system at area park
-- Alumni News
-- CNS Advisory Board

2005 Lynn University Men's Baseball Media Guide, Lynn University Athletics

Athletics Media Guides

The 2005 Lynn University Baseball Media Guide is a production of the Lynn University Office of Sports Information, Chad Beattie, Director.

Free And Semi-Inert Cell Attachments, Peter Bubenik

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

Let Y be the space obtained by attaching a finite-type wedge of cells to a simply-connected, finite-type CW-complex. We introduce the free and semi-inert conditions on the attaching map which broadly generalize the previously-studied inert condition. Under these conditions we determine H (QY; R) as an R-module and as an R-algebra, respectively. Under a further condition we show that H. (QY; R) is generated by Hurewicz images. As an example we study an infinite family of spaces constructed using only semi-inert cell attachments.

A Baseline Assessment Of Environmental, Health, And Safety Aspects And Impacts Associated With Lithographic And Digital Printing Operations Performed Under Ideal Work Conditions, Sachin Kadam

Theses

This work examined various environmental, health, and safety aspects of two comparable printing technologies i.e. offset lithographic and electrophotographic digital printing, and evaluated their impacts on the environment and health & safety of the workers. It also studied the environmental behavior of these technologies with respect to print volume, and provides information to print manufacturers on the same so that they can use this information while deciding on technological selection. An effort has been made to bring attention of the print manufacturers towards the key environmental, health, and safety issues that will help them understand the importance of pollution prevention …

Multidimensional Damage State Identification Using Phase Space Warping, Ming Liu

Open Access Dissertations

A concept called phase space warping (PSW) has been introduced to describe small drifts (caused by damage) in the phase space of a system. In previous research, a multidimensional damage identification approach has been developed based on this concept and validated using numerical model simulation. Further experimental validation and extension will be main focus of this dissertation. At first, an updated version of a well-known two-well magneto-elastic oscillator is used to validate the damage identification approach experimentally. Good identification results are observed when fatigue damage and simulated damage are present independently or combined with each other. Then, discussion about how …

X-Ray Bursts Associated With Leader Steps In Cloud-To-Ground Lightning, Joseph R. Dwyer, Hamid K. Rassoul, M. Al-Dayeh, Lee Caraway, A. Chrest, Brian F. Wright, E. Kozak

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

X-ray and electric field measurements were made during five nearby negative natural lightning strikes in north central Florida during the summer of 2004. The observed X-ray emission typically was detected ∼1 ms before the first return stroke, during the stepped-leader phase, and had energies extending up to a few hundred keV. The X rays were produced in discrete, intense bursts emitted in coincidence with the formation of the leader steps, demonstrating unambiguously that the source of lightning X rays is closely related to the stepping process. The X-ray emission from lightning stepped leaders is found to be remarkably similar to …

Hper Biomechanics Laboratory 2004 Annual Report: A Surveillance Of The Neuromuscular System, Issue 3, Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility

Biomechanics Annual Report

This issue features 2004 - A Great Year for External Funding: Three Grants Awarded to Dr. Stergiou, Robotic Surgery Research is Funded by the Nebraska Research Initiative, Federal Grant is Awarded for the Study of the Development of Posture in Children with Cerebral Palsy, The Nebraska Research Initiative funds our Innovative Research in Gait Analysis, Collaboration with the Department of Surgery of the University of Nebraska Medical Center on the Effects of Peripheral Arterial Disease on Gait, Omaha Media Features Nicholas Stergiou, Dr. Stergiou participates in an NIH Review Panel, Prestigious Teaching Award for Dr. Stergiou, NASA Visits HPER Biomechanics …

Attitudes Of Potential Employers In Southwestern Virginia Toward Hiring Newly Licensed Physical Therapist Assistants Who Are Graduates Of The Wytheville Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Julia S. Jackson King

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The research goals included: 1. Did employers of physical therapist assistants feel positively toward graduates of the Wytheville Community College Physical Therapist Assistant program? 2. Would an employer prioritize a new graduate from Wytheville over a new graduate from any other program if all other applicable experience was equal? 3. What did employers identify as the strengths and weaknesses of the Wytheville program?

The Effectiveness Of Loudoun Country Public Schools Teacher Cadet Program, Erik J. Kittelson

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The objectives of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. Determine if students who participate in the Loudoun County Public Schools Teacher Cadet program actually pursue a teaching degree or licensure; 2. Determine the percentage of Teacher Cadet completers who plan to pursue a teaching degree or licensure; 3. Determine if the teacher cadet program prepares students for higher education teaching programs; 4. Determine if the content of the current curriculum prepares students for their respective teaching area of interest.

An Analysis Of Attitudes Toward Instructional Technology Integration At Heritage High School, Nicole P. Edwards

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The research goals of this study would determine the following: 1. What were teachers' attitudes towards having basic instructional technology skills? 2. What were teachers' attitudes towards using instructional technology in the classroom? 3. What populations of teachers were satisfied with their degree of instructional technology knowledge?

Gender And Programming Language Preferences Of Computer Programming Students At Moraine Valley Community College, Dawn Patitucci

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The objectives of this study were to answer the following questions: 1. Are female programming students more likely to pursue study in certain programming languages than in other languages? 2. Are females more or less likely to pursue study in multiple programming languages than males? 3. As compared with the percentage of females working as computer programmers nationwide, are females over- or under-represented in certain language tracks at Moraine Valley Community College? 4. Which language(s) might be useful in attracting more females to computer programming and software development?

Student Reaction To The Use Of Classroom Performance And Personal Response Systems In College Level Courses, Edmund A. Donato

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The goals of this study were established to determine: 1. How do students perceive the effectiveness of the Classroom Performance System and Personal Response Systems in engaging them in the learning process? 2. How do students perceive the effectiveness of the Classroom Performance System and Personal Response Systems in aiding educators with evaluating their learning?

Effects Of Technology Education On Middle School Language Arts (Reading) Achievement, Mark A. Bolt

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was to compare eighth grade students at Rachel Carson Middle School who took eighth grade Technology Education and the effect it had on student achievement on the reading section of the Virginia English Standards of Learning test.

A Study To Determine If The Tech Prep Program At Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Has Academic Benefits Using Grade Point Average As A Predictor, Susan H. Carper

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The problem of this study was to compare the grade point averages of students in the Tech Prep program at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College in Clifton Forge, Virginia, to students not in the Tech Prep program to determine if this career and technical education program has academic benefits.

Entropic Analysis Of Color Homogeneity, Kirill Alemaskin, Ica Manas Zloczower, Miron Kaufman

Physics Faculty Publications

We propose an entropic measure to assess color homogeneity as well as deviations from a standard/ideal color. We illustrate the concept by analyzing samples obtained in a single screw extruder by mixing blue and yellow polymer pellets. Alternatively the proposed technique can be employed to assess the efficiency and degree of distributive mixing attained in polymer processing equipment.

Local False Discovery Rate And Minimum Total Error Rate Approaches To Identifying Interesting Chromosomal Regions, Ritwik Sinha, Moumita Sinha, George Mathew, Robert C. Elston, Yugun Luo

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

The simultaneous testing of a large number of hypotheses in a genome scan, using individual thresholds for significance, inherently leads to inflated genome-wide false positive rates. There exist various approaches to approximating the correct genomewide p-values under various assumptions, either by way of asymptotics or simulations. We explore a philosophically different criterion, recently proposed in the literature, which controls the false discovery rate. The test statistics are assumed to arise from a mixture of distributions under the null and non-null hypotheses. We fit the mixture distribution using both a nonparametric approach and commingling analysis, and then apply the local false …

Chinese City Design: Searching History In Order To Find A Balanced And Sustainable Future, Andrew Armbruster

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

The Chinese city faces a crisis. As development on a scale unprecedented in human history consumes this country, little care is being taken to ensure the survival of age-old traditions and the concrete principles that accompany those traditions. Western ideas seep into the country, and this produces an effect of imbalance [see Figure A]. This imbalance is not only cultural but is accompanied with all of the derivatives pertaining thereto: physical disharmony, economic imbalance, environmental unsustainability. Considering this, what needs to change within the contemporary Chinese city? To this question one must answer that the fundamental bases which underlie the …

Feeding Ecology Of Juvenile Spiny Lobster, Panulirus Interruptus, On The Pacific Coast Of Baja California Sur, Mexico, Verónica Castañeda‐Fernández‐De‐Lara, Elisa Serviere‐Zaragoza, Sergio Hernández‐Vázquez, Mark J. Butler Iv

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Many aspects of the early life history of the red lobster Panulirus interruptus are little known, including the relationship between habitat structure, food resource availability, and nutrition of juveniles. We investigated the spatial and temporal differences in food intake, diet composition, and nutritional condition of juveniles at two sites along the Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula (Mexico) with contrasting oceanographic and biological conditions. One site (Arvin) is located inside a protected bay, Bahia Tortugas, where the waters are cooler and temperate seagrasses and macroalgae are the dominant benthic flora. The second site (Queen) in Bahia Sebastian Vizcaino was …

If I Implore You And Order You To Set Me Free, Robert Blecker

NYLS Law Review

No abstract provided.

Longwood University Catalog 2005-2006, Longwood University

Undergraduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Realism, Freedom, And The Integral Development Of The Human Person: A Catholic View Of Education, Michael A. Scaperlanda

Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.