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2006

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Welcome To The Branch, Turia R. Pope Jan 2006

Welcome To The Branch, Turia R. Pope

Theses and Dissertations

Welcome to the Branch is a two-act play that investigates issues of cultural differences in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (or LDS church), more commonly known as the Mormon Church. Set in modern-day, downtown Richmond, Welcome to the Branch follows two very different members of the LDS church as they examine and try to understand both their religion, in the context of its cultural and social history, and their place in it. One is Molly, a Caucasian, middle-class young woman from Utah, in Richmond temporarily for her husband's graduate school; the other is Aina, an African …

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A Computational Study Of Axial Compressor Rotor Casing Treatments And Stator Land Seals, Charles C. Cates Jan 2006

A Computational Study Of Axial Compressor Rotor Casing Treatments And Stator Land Seals, Charles C. Cates

Theses and Dissertations

As fuel prices soar ever higher, aircraft manufacturers and their airline customers demand that the next generation of engines used on their aircraft push the limits of efficiency and capability. This study consists of a computational examination of two currently accepted methods of axial compressor performance improvement in terms of surge margin and efficiency, rotor casing treatments and stator land seals.ADPAC and Fluent CFD solvers were used in the analysis of circumferential groove casing treatments and two types of stator seals, one typical of a front stage stator and one typical of a rear stage stator. The computational solutions and …

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Optimal Clustering: Genetic Constrained K-Means And Linear Programming Algorithms, Jianmin Zhao Jan 2006

Optimal Clustering: Genetic Constrained K-Means And Linear Programming Algorithms, Jianmin Zhao

Theses and Dissertations

Methods for determining clusters of data under- specified constraints have recently gained popularity. Although general constraints may be used, we focus on clustering methods with the constraint of a minimal cluster size. In this dissertation, we propose two constrained k-means algorithms: Linear Programming Algorithm (LPA) and Genetic Constrained K-means Algorithm (GCKA). Linear Programming Algorithm modifies the k-means algorithm into a linear programming problem with constraints requiring that each cluster have m or more subjects. In order to achieve an acceptable clustering solution, we run the algorithm with a large number of random sets of initial seeds, and choose the solution …

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An Examination Of Career Decision-Making In The Context Of Female Offenders, Allison L. Stone Jan 2006

An Examination Of Career Decision-Making In The Context Of Female Offenders, Allison L. Stone

Theses and Dissertations

Female offenders often have had increased financial difficulties post-release because of lower levels of educational achievement and less job experience. Career programming may prove useful to female offenders by providing guidance with career decisions and strengthening career decision-making skills. The aims of this study were to investigate career decision-making skills and self-efficacy in the context of vocational programming for a group of female offenders. A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was used to examine scale scores for a group who participated in programming and a control group at the same correctional facility. A series oft tests revealed no significant differences between the …

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Consuming Brazil: Afro Brazilian Religion As A Base For Actor Training, Corey Justin Roberts Jan 2006

Consuming Brazil: Afro Brazilian Religion As A Base For Actor Training, Corey Justin Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Actor training, like the theatre in Brazil, has historically been a middle and upper class pursuit that followed European models, namely Stanislavski's system. Yet within Brazil there is a wealth of diverse cultures that are inherently theatrical and well suited for application in actor training. In this study I explore one such culture, the Afro Brazilian religion Umbanda. First, I examine its formation to illuminate how the religion itself performed (or served as a site for cultural interaction) throughout history. Then, I explore the practice of the religion both apart from and in relation to the theatre and Stanislavski's system. …

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Spin Polarized Transport In Nanoscale Devices, Sandipan Pramanik Jan 2006

Spin Polarized Transport In Nanoscale Devices, Sandipan Pramanik

Theses and Dissertations

The ultimate goal in the rapidly burgeoning field of spintronics is to realize semiconductor-based devices that utilize the spin degree of freedom of a single charge carrier (electron or hole) or an ensemble of such carriers to achieve novel and/or enhanced device functionalities such as spin based light emitting devices, spin transistors and femto-Tesla magnetic field sensors. These devices share a common feature: they all rely on controlled transport of spins in semiconductors. A prototypical spintronic device has a transistor-like configuration in which a semiconducting channel is sandwiched between two contacts (source and drain) with a gate electrode sitting on …

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Information Technology Outsourcing In U.S. Hospital Systems, Mark L. Diana Jan 2006

Information Technology Outsourcing In U.S. Hospital Systems, Mark L. Diana

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with outsourcing of information systems (IS), and if there is a difference in IS sourcing based on the strategic value of the outsourced functions. The theoretical framework is based upon a synthesis of strategic management theory (SMT) and transaction cost economics (TCE) as they apply to vertical integration in the health care sector; therefore, IS sourcing behavior was conceptualized as a case of vertical integration. The conceptual model proposed that sourcing behavior would be determined by asset specificity, uncertainty, the interaction of asset specificity and uncertainty, bargaining power, corporate …

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A Comparison For Longitudinal Data Missing Due To Truncation, Rong Liu Jan 2006

A Comparison For Longitudinal Data Missing Due To Truncation, Rong Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Many longitudinal clinical studies suffer from patient dropout. Often the dropout is nonignorable and the missing mechanism needs to be incorporated in the analysis. The methods handling missing data make various assumptions about the missing mechanism, and their utility in practice depends on whether these assumptions apply in a specific application. Ramakrishnan and Wang (2005) proposed a method (MDT) to handle nonignorable missing data, where missing is due to the observations exceeding an unobserved threshold. Assuming that the observations arise from a truncated normal distribution, they suggested an EM algorithm to simplify the estimation.In this dissertation the EM algorithm is …

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Public: An Exploration Of Community, Environment, And Technology, Christopher John Malven Jan 2006

Public: An Exploration Of Community, Environment, And Technology, Christopher John Malven

Theses and Dissertations

This project examines the potential of computer technology to enhance navigation within, and incorporate information-sharing into, the public urban environment.

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Using Visual Culture To Address Gender Expectations In Middle School Art Education: Visual Art Curriculum Design Based On The Manga Ranma1/2, Ting-Yu Chen Jan 2006

Using Visual Culture To Address Gender Expectations In Middle School Art Education: Visual Art Curriculum Design Based On The Manga Ranma1/2, Ting-Yu Chen

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, I identify and explore approaches to middle school art curricula that address the cultural expectations of gender in visual culture media. I use images from the Japanese comic Manga: Ranma1/2 to develop units of instruction with goals of engaging students in relating the study of art to their visual culture outside the classroom. The unit has three lessons that deal with cultural expectations of gender to help students become aware of understand gender differences in contemporary society. In the lessons, students examine how the Manga characters are depicted differently according to the character's gender. Also, the teacher …

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Action Of Tyrosyl Dna Phosphodiesterase On 3'-Phosphoglycolate Terminated Dna Strand Breaks, Haritha Tatavarthi Jan 2006

Action Of Tyrosyl Dna Phosphodiesterase On 3'-Phosphoglycolate Terminated Dna Strand Breaks, Haritha Tatavarthi

Theses and Dissertations

Free radical-mediated DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are induced either directly by ionizing radiation or by certain chemicals like bleomycin. These breaks are terminated by 3'-PG (PO4CH2COOˉ) or 3'-phosphate groups formed as a result of fragmentation of deoxyribose. To study the nature of repair of these 3'-blocked breaks, we constructed substrates mimicking free-radical induced DSBs. Human and yeast tyrosyl DNA-phosphodiesterase (Tdpl) efficiently processed substrates with 3'-PGs, in either the presence or absence of magnesium, to give a 3'-phosphate. Gel filtration chromatography and western blotting codmed that the putative enzyme in human extracts that efficiently processed PG was indeed tyrosyl DNA-phosphodiesterase. …

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Drawing Through A Linear Temperament, Jorge Miguel Benitez Jan 2006

Drawing Through A Linear Temperament, Jorge Miguel Benitez

Theses and Dissertations

I am a draftsman, painter and printmaker. This first person statement is a written extension of the art that constitutes my thesis. It discusses the links between my work and the Enlightenment, Humanism, Catholicism, ethics and the Western canon as well as my use of perspective and other classical techniques in relation to history, language, high art, popular culture, propaganda, contemporary upheavals, Christian and Islamic Fundamentalism, globalization and the digital revolution. Furthermore, the main arguments draw upon my Cuban origin and European ancestry, the Cuban Revolution, my Belgian early education and eventual American hybrid identity. The overriding theme, however, concerns …

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K X N Trust-Based Agent Reputation, Christopher Alonzo Parker Jan 2006

K X N Trust-Based Agent Reputation, Christopher Alonzo Parker

Theses and Dissertations

In this research, a multi-agent system called KMAS is presented that models an environment of intelligent, autonomous, rational, and adaptive agents that reason about trust, and adapt trust based on experience. Agents reason and adapt using a modification of the k-Nearest Neighbor algorithm called (k X n) Nearest Neighbor where k neighbors recommend reputation values for trust during each of n interactions. Reputation allows a single agent to receive recommendations about the trustworthiness of others. One goal is to present a recommendation model of trust that outperforms MAS architectures relying solely on direct agent interaction. A second goal is to …

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R. Walton Moore And Virginia Politics, 1933-1941, Daniel Gregory Tulli Jan 2006

R. Walton Moore And Virginia Politics, 1933-1941, Daniel Gregory Tulli

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a chronicle of the efforts of R. Walton Moore and the Roosevelt Administration to liberalize the conservative Virginia Democratic Party during the 1930's. Moore was an elderly politician and amateur historian who had been in and out politics in the state for over forty years. He was opposed at every turn in his efforts by state Democratic Party organization leader Senator Harry F. Byrd, and his conservative colleague Senator Carter Glass. Both Glass and Byrd opposed most New Deal legislation throughout the decade. Moore served officially as Assistant Secretary of State and Counselor to the State Department, …

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Sec Regulation Of Corporate 10k Filing Dates: The Effect On Earnings Management And Market Recognition, Robert W. Russ Jan 2006

Sec Regulation Of Corporate 10k Filing Dates: The Effect On Earnings Management And Market Recognition, Robert W. Russ

Theses and Dissertations

In November 2002, the Securities and Exchange Commission released a final ruling regarding a filing requirement change. The proposed requiredment change was for domestic companies to file annual and quarterly reports within 60 and 30 days, respectfully. This requirement was recommended for companies with a market value of at least $75 million and would reduce by 30 days the time allowed to file these reports. The Wall Street Journal article announcing this proposal stated the change was an effort to address some of the problems arising from accounting scandals such as the Enron scandal of 2001. A potential added benefit …

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Den Of Thieves: Appropriating And Applying The Collaborative Ideals Of The Labyrinth Theater Company, Timothy Michael Bambara Jan 2006

Den Of Thieves: Appropriating And Applying The Collaborative Ideals Of The Labyrinth Theater Company, Timothy Michael Bambara

Theses and Dissertations

My goal was to successfully appropriate the collaborative ideals of the LAByrinth Theater Company and incorporate them into my directorial process while working on a collegiate production. I gathered a large amount of information from my visit and contact with the LAB and through personal interviews with the Co-Artistic Director and the Developmental Director. I had seen two of their shows and I was familiar with the quality of production that I had to uphold. I played a lead role in Guirgis' Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train and I was familiar with the rhythm, the dialect and the seriocomic matters …

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Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed-Pcr: Thermalcycling Modifications And Comparison Studies, Denise N. Rodier Jan 2006

Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed-Pcr: Thermalcycling Modifications And Comparison Studies, Denise N. Rodier

Theses and Dissertations

Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed-PCR (DOP-PCR) can potentially enhance analysis of low copy number DNA samples. Theoretically, this procedure replicates fragments of the genome that can then be used for downstream multiplex STR analysis. The objective of this study is to optimize DOP-PCR by examining ramplelongation times and cycle numbers in the non-specific amplification portion of DOP-PCR, and by modifying the degenerate primer. Additionally, other methods such as Multiple Displacement Amplification (MDA) and Low Copy Number PCR (LCN PCR) were examined for their ability to create accurate DNA profiles from low DNA input amounts. Increasing the ramplelongation times showed no effect on …

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Chemometric Analysis Of Multivariate Liquid Chromatography Data: Applications In Pharmacokinetics, Metabolomics, And Toxicology, Sarah Elizabeth Graham Porter Jan 2006

Chemometric Analysis Of Multivariate Liquid Chromatography Data: Applications In Pharmacokinetics, Metabolomics, And Toxicology, Sarah Elizabeth Graham Porter

Theses and Dissertations

In the first part of this work, LC-MS data were used to calculate the in-vitro intrinsic clearances (CLint) for the metabolism of p-methoxyrnethamphetamine (PMMA) and fluoxetine by the CYP2D6 enzyme using a steady-state (SS) approach and a new general enzyme (GE) screening method. For PMMA, the SS experiment resulted in a CLint of 2.7 ± 0.2 µL pmol 2D6-1min-1 and the GE experiment resulted in a CLint of 3.0 ± 0.6 µL pmol 2D6-1min-1. For fluoxetine, the SS experiment resulted in a CLint of 0.33 ± 0.17 µL pmol 2D6-1min-1 and the GE experiment resulted in a CLint of 0.188 …

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The Role Of Dna Methylation And Methyl Binding Domain Protein 2 In The Regulation Of Human Embryonic And Fetal Beta Type Globin Genes, Jeremy William Rupon Jan 2006

The Role Of Dna Methylation And Methyl Binding Domain Protein 2 In The Regulation Of Human Embryonic And Fetal Beta Type Globin Genes, Jeremy William Rupon

Theses and Dissertations

The genes of the human β-globin locus are located on chromosome 11 in the order of their expression during development: 5' ε, γ, β 3'. During development, silencing of the 5' gene occurs with activation of the immediate 3' gene. This process occurs twice and is termed hemoglobin switching. The exact mechanism(s) of this process have not been fully described. Herein, we describe a role for DNA methylation and methyl binding domain protein 2 in the transcriptional regulation of the human embryonic and fetal beta type globin genes. Adult mice containing the entire human β-globin locus as a yeast artificial …

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Making The Forest Together: Young Children Represent A Shared Experience In Clay, Anna Mary Golden Jan 2006

Making The Forest Together: Young Children Represent A Shared Experience In Clay, Anna Mary Golden

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the strategies young children use to develop a common set of goals when collaborating on a group art work. Teachers at Sabot School spend a great deal of time in discussion of children's group work. By concentrating on one project in my preschool classroom, I reached a greater understanding of the way children work together on a group project. This understanding enriched my practice of teaching so that I could become a better facilitator of similar projects in the future. The information is valuable to me and the other Sabot School teachers when planning future group projects, …

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Forecasting Stability Levels For The Countries Of The Former Soviet Union, Margaret Erin Keck Jan 2006

Forecasting Stability Levels For The Countries Of The Former Soviet Union, Margaret Erin Keck

Theses and Dissertations

United States intelligence officers and policymakers need reliable forecasts of country, regional, and global stability or instability. Such forecasts require a methodology for identifying and analyzing factors that contribute to stability. The anticipation of this stability level can facilitate crisis warning and diplomatic strategies for various timelines, including five, ten, and twenty year forecasts. While the problem of forecasting can be tackled in various ways, in the interest of time and space, I will only go into a few of them. The approach I will use is multiple linear regression to generate a short-term forecast for the stability levels of …

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Inspirational Journey: People And Places, Leigh Ann Withrow Jan 2006

Inspirational Journey: People And Places, Leigh Ann Withrow

Theses and Dissertations

My paintings are inspired by the places I have seen, as well as the people God has placed in my path. The individuals in my portraits are some of the people with whom I have shared a special bond. Upon reflection, they have been instrumental in deepening my faith. Their love, prayers, support, and deep questioning of my beliefs have enhanced my understanding of God and helped to strengthen my relationship with Him. 1 am very thankful for the ability to paint their portraits as an expression of my gratitude and love. God has also blessed me with opportunities to …

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A Longitudinal Investigation Of Cognitive Predictors Of Self-Care Behaviors In Youth With Type I Diabetes, Michelle Marie Greene Jan 2006

A Longitudinal Investigation Of Cognitive Predictors Of Self-Care Behaviors In Youth With Type I Diabetes, Michelle Marie Greene

Theses and Dissertations

Cross-sectional research of youth with type I diabetes has demonstrated that rote and working memory predict blood glucose monitoring (BGM) and carbohydrate consumption, respectively; however, to date, no longitudinal follow-up studies exist. Rote and working memory subtests from well-standardized memory measures, along with a problem-solving and executive functioning measures were administered to 118 youth with type I diabetes, aged 9-16 in two waves of data collection (mean interval = 2.07 years). Diabetes care behaviors were assessed through the 24-hour Diabetes Interview. This study was the first to document longitudinal prediction of BGM by rote memory and fat consumption by working …

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Association Between Smoking, Chemical Exposure And Hearing Loss In An Occupational Setting, Darlene W. Olive Jan 2006

Association Between Smoking, Chemical Exposure And Hearing Loss In An Occupational Setting, Darlene W. Olive

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Twenty-two million Americans or roughly 8% of the population are hearing impaired. This affects more than just the ability for one to hear. In the last three decades, younger Americans have shown a sharp increase in hearing impairment. Hearing loss affects social and emotional well being and thus has the ability to decrease one's quality of life. This study was designed to examine the association between smoking, workplace chemical exposure, and hearing loss.Methods: This cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in an occupational health clinic setting in Virginia. The study population consisted of employees from local businesses who visited the …

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A Prelude To A Third Dimension Of The Periodic Table: Superatoms Of Aluminum Iodide Clusters, Naiche Owen Jones Jan 2006

A Prelude To A Third Dimension Of The Periodic Table: Superatoms Of Aluminum Iodide Clusters, Naiche Owen Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Calculations have been carried out to investigate the stability and electronic structure of aluminum iodide clusters using first principles gradient-corrected density functional theory. Analysis of A113Ix-, A114Ix-, and A17I- clusters reveals that their stability is governed by the geometrically unperturbed A113-, A1142+, and A17+ units, respectively, that are demonstrated to constitute the compact cores of the clusters upon significant iodine content. The compact, icosahedral A113, icosahedral-like A1 14, and capped square bi-pyramid A17 superatom structures of the stable aluminum cores have an analogous electronic configuration to that of halogen, alkaline-earth, and alkaline atoms, respectively. Novel chemistry is demonstrated in superatoms, …

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Journaling For Critical Thinking, Paul E. Terrell Jr. Jan 2006

Journaling For Critical Thinking, Paul E. Terrell Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes a pretest - posttest study to increase the effectiveness of art journals at the high school level. The targeted population consisted of students in the ninth through twelfth grades in a middle class community, located in central Virginia. The visual art students were involved in the journaling (art workbook, sketchbook) process as a part of their curriculum. Following a pretest students were surveyed and adjustments were made from their input to make the art journals more effective. Often students were not picking up instructional cues introduced through demonstrations and art history integrated into the class structure. The …

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Cultural Stereotypes: From Dracula's Myth To Contemporary Diasporic Productions, Ileana F. Popa Jan 2006

Cultural Stereotypes: From Dracula's Myth To Contemporary Diasporic Productions, Ileana F. Popa

Theses and Dissertations

This study is focused on a highly topical theme, which belongs to the pluralist practice of cultural studies, and aims at investigating a remarkable phenomenon of identity-shaping and cross-cultural exchange. Starting from an analysis of Dracula as the epitomized image of the Balkans (and of Romania, more specifically) abroad, this paper provides a comprehensive historical and (con)textual analysis of the myth, enlarged to incorporate it into the fictions of exile and to draw the reader's attention to the "demonic" dimension of the Balkan area in general, and the Romanian area in particular. The first chapter provides a theoretical overview meant …

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The Influence Of Physical Activity And Television On The Intention And Self-Efficacy To Engage In Health-Enhancing Behaviors, Ian Joseph Wallace Jan 2006

The Influence Of Physical Activity And Television On The Intention And Self-Efficacy To Engage In Health-Enhancing Behaviors, Ian Joseph Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

Cancer and heart disease account for the largest proportion of morbidity and mortality among all adult diseases in the United States. Research has focused on identifying causal risk factors among adolescents. However, theories of health behavior change also stress the intermediary factors of intention and efficacy for effective behavior change. Existing research supports the potential of physical activity (PA), particularly learned through the domains of exercise and sport, as a means to developing these necessary skills (Danish, Petitpas, & Hale, 1993). The current investigation examined the influence of PA and television watching (TV) on intentions and efficacy to engage in …

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The Effect Of Advertising On Attitudes Toward Tobacco Use And Decisions About Smoking Among Virginia Adolescents, John Rosser Matthews Iii Jan 2006

The Effect Of Advertising On Attitudes Toward Tobacco Use And Decisions About Smoking Among Virginia Adolescents, John Rosser Matthews Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study seeks to determine 1) whether the type of advertising exposure is associated with adolescent health perceptions of tobacco use, and 2) whether the type of media exposure is associated with initiation plans (non-smokers) or quitting plans (smokers). Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of middle school students (n=l1,128).Psychosocial variables were knowledge of the risks of tobacco use (range: 3-15) and benefits of being tobacco free (range: 7-35) with higher scores indicating greater understanding. Intentions to quit or initiate were construed as binary variables. Exposure variables were tobacco advertisements or anti-tobacco media messages. Covariates were gender, race, grade …

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Membership Functions For A Fuzzy Relational Database: A Comparison Of The Direct Rating And New Random Proportional Methods, Shweta Sanghi Jan 2006

Membership Functions For A Fuzzy Relational Database: A Comparison Of The Direct Rating And New Random Proportional Methods, Shweta Sanghi

Theses and Dissertations

Fuzzy relational databases deal with imprecise data or fuzzy information in a relational database. The purpose of this fuzzy database implementation is to retrieve images by using fuzzy queries whose common-language descriptions are defined by the consensus of a particular user community. The fuzzy set, which is presentation of fuzzy attribute values of the images, is determined through membership function. This paper compares two methods of constructing membership functions, the Direct Rating and New Random Proportional, to determine which method gives maximum users satisfaction with minimum feedback from the community. The statistical analysis of results suggests the use of Direct …

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