Digital Commons Network^™

Heuristics And Genetic Algorithms, Michael D. Mobley, Cihan H. Dagli, David Enke

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Genetic algorithms are design tools used in generating optimal solutions. While they can often be shown to outperform various heuristic methods and hybrid approaches, using a combination of evolutionary algorithms and heuristic approaches can generate an optimal solution more quickly than either of the two methods independently. Our purpose is to provide an overview of genetic algorithms, to discuss the types of problems that lend themselves to being solved by genetic algorithms, and to identify heuristics that have been shown to aid genetic algorithms in their quest for optimal solutions. While the sample problems discussed in this paper are generally …

Preparation For Radiological Disasters: A Radiation Effects Epidemiological Database, Martha S. Raj

Theses

Not Included

Parallelization Of A Maximum Parsimony Branch And Bound Algorithm For Phylogenetic Inference, Curtis J. Howard

Theses

Phyiogenetic inference involves the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships among species in the form of branching diagrams called trees. Specifically, certain biological structures common to all living organisms, such as morphological characteristics, protein sequences or DNA sequences can be compared Differences and similarities in these characteristics among species are used to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships and draw trees. Many methods of tree reconstruction are currently used. The method of maximum parsimony for phyiogenetic inference is a widely used algorithm which employs the hypothesis that the most likely tree for a given group of data will be the one which uses the …

The Relationship Between Emotional Recognition And Personality Traits, Lyndon A. Mitchell

Theses

This study investigated the relationship between personality traits and the ability to recognize emotions from facial expressions. A sample of undergraduate and graduate students (n = 52) were administered the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire 5th Edition (16PF-5) (Cattell, 1993) and an abbreviated version of Ekman's Pictures of Facial Affect (Ekman & Friesen, 1976). Pearson product-moment correlations revealed that the personality trait, Apprehension, was associated with the accurate recognition of most of the emotions. Further, regression analyses revealed that the recognition of fear was best predicted by the 16PF factors Dominance, Self Reliance and Apprehension. Personality differences were also identified between …

Tissue Surface Identification For Microwave Imaging System Calibration, Surat Teerakapibal

Theses

The methods used for biomedical imaging include X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and most recently, microwave imaging each with its own advantages and disadvantages for specific application. The frequency dependent nature of the Electromagnetic (EM) waves makes it possible for microwave imaging to achieve a tissue differentiation comparable to that obtained by X-ray and would be superior to ultra sound and MRI.

This work addresses one aspect of an ongoing research effort at Rochester Institute of Technology which is a new methodology for detecting diseased tissues by a non-invasive procedure. The methodology is based on the extraction of the …

Ligevolver: A Tool For Ligand Formulation Using Genetic Algorithm, Priyadarsini Soundararajan

Theses

Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV - 1) has been found to be the cause of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This virus caused uproar during the 1980's and started a major drug discovery race among the pharmaceutical companies. It also proved to be a milestone in the establishment of the use of computers in rational drug design.

Evolutionary computation is a commonly used computational approach that has been successfully applied to a variety of fields ranging from engineering to life science. The main reason for its effectiveness is that it is driven by the principles of evolution. A genetic …

Analysis Of Effective Mechanical Properties Of Thin Films Used In Microelectromechanical Systems, Ajay Pasupuleti

Theses

This research aims at analyzing the effective mechanical properties of thin film materials that are used in MEMS. Using the effective mechanical properties, reliable simulations of new or slightly altered designs can be performed successfully. The main reason for investigating effective material properties of MEMS devices is that the existing techniques can not provide consistent prediction of the mechanical properties without time-consuming and costly physical prototyping if the device or the fabrication recipe is slightly altered. To achieve this goal, two approaches were investigated: soft computing and analytical. In the soft computing approach, the effective material properties are empirically modeled …

Habitat And Fauna Of Deep-Water Lophelia Pertusa Coral Reefs Off The Southeastern Us: Blake Plateau, Straits Of Florida, And Gulf Of Mexico., John K. Reed, Doug C. Weaver, Shirley A. Pomponi

Faculty Scholarship

Expeditions from 1999 to 2004 for biomedical research explored various deep-sea coral ecosystems (DSCE) off the southeastern U.S. (Blake Plateau, Straits of Florida, and eastern Gulf of Mexico). Habitat and benthos were documented from 57 dives with human occupied submersibles and three with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and resulted in ~100 hrs of videotapes, 259 in situ digital images, 621 museum specimens, and > 400 microbial isolates. These were the first dives to document the habitat, benthic fauna, and fish diversity of some of these poorly known deepwater reefs. Fifty-eight fish species and 142 benthic invertebrate taxa were identified. High-definition …

The Effectiveness Of Captive Release Conservation Methods For Spotted Turtles (Clemmys Guttata), Kate Cassim

Theses

The spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) is categorized as protected and a species of special concern in New York State (Milam 2001). Understanding the habitat use, movement patterns, and life history characteristics of this species will be essential for any future efforts to provide the necessary habitat requirements for their successful recovery and management. Rochester Institute of Technology partnered with the Seneca Park Zoo and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate the release of captive-bred spotted turtles. The goal of this study was to determine the movements, habitat use, survivorship, and growth of the captive-bred spotted turtles in …

Family Tree Manager, Catherine Sullivan

Theses

Many people are interested in learning about their family history. Discovering who has come before us can help us learn more about who we are, and possibly why we are the way we are. Over the years, more and more people have turned to software products to help them build and manage their family tree information. These products allow users to easily enter and retrieve the information, as well as provide graphical representations without the arduous task of drawing by hand. In addition, some manufacturers have made agreements with genealogy search services, and integrated the process of searching for relatives …

Motivating Rehabilitation By Distorting Reality, James L. Patton, Yejun Wei, Chris Scharver, Robert V. Kenyon, Robert A. Scheidt

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

We have found, through a series of recent experiments, encouraging evidence that the neuro-motor system is motivated to change motor patterns when exposed to visuo-motor tasks. We have also shown that the learning of these tasks can be heightened with forces and/or visual distortions that appropriately manipulate the error. This process does not require intense concentration and it is often considered a game. We describe the next generation of robotic large-workspace, three dimensional haptics/graphics systems for rehabilitation

Acoustic Classification Using Independent Component Analysis, James Brock

Theses

This thesis research investigates and demonstrates the feasibility of performing computationally efficient, high-dimensional acoustic classification using Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients and independent component analysis for temporal feature extraction. A process was developed to calculate Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients from samples of acoustic data grouped by either musical genre or spoken world language. Then independent component analysis was employed to extract the higher level temporal features of the coefficients in each class. These sets of unique independent features represent themes, or patterns, over time that are the underlying signals in that class of acoustic data. The results obtained from this process clearly show …

Metaheuristics And Combinatorial Optimization Problems, Gerald Skidmore

Theses

This thesis will use the traveling salesman problem (TSP) as a tool to help present and investigate several new techniques that improve the overall performance of genetic algorithms (GA). Improvements include a new parent selection algorithm, harem select, that outperforms all other parent selection algorithms tested, some by up to 600%. Other techniques investigated include population seeding, random restart, heuristic crossovers, and hybrid genetic algorithms, all of which posted improvements in the range of 1% up to 1100%. Also studied will be a new algorithm, GRASP, that is just starting to enjoy a lot of interest in the research community …

Molecular Viewer Using Spiegel, Pavani Baddepudi

Theses

Study of nucleic acids and proteins has evoked great interest for its role in research involving areas such as human genome and drug design. Understanding the core structure and behavior of these protein molecules requires reading and analyzing large amounts of data about atoms derived from a plethora of experiments. In recent years, computer graphics has gained popularity for its ability to translate these large datasets into three dimensional structures providing easy visualization. This project has implemented one such 3-D molecular viewer to display different models of molecules and study their properties. The project was developed in Java3D using the …

Genetic Music, Ryan Becker

Theses

Algorithmic music composition has long been an active area of research in computer science, but the need for a human element only recently began to be more widely acknowledged. Interactive Evolutionary Computing (IEC), made popular by Karl Sims, effectively solves many high dimension problems, like music composition, involving creative and subjective elements. This work applies several Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Genetic Programming (GP) approaches, inspired by Karl Sims, to algorithmic music composition. The implementation of these IEC algorithms is described and their effectiveness compared.

Faculty Scheduling Using Genetic Algorithms, Kevin Soule

Theses

The problem of developing a class schedule for a faculty has been proven to be NP-complete. Therefore when the schedule is large enough, finding just one feasible solution can be impossible for any direct search algorithm within a reasonable time. This project is geared toward investigating the possibility of using genetic-based algorithms to solve faculty scheduling problems of 100 courses or larger quickly. Multiple versions of genetic algorithms and heuristics are tested. Many parameter levels for these algorithms are optimized for fastest convergence.

“De Eso No Se Habla : ” An Explorative Study On The Sexual And Reproductive Health Education Of Adolescents In The Monteverde Zone, 2006, Hollie Fuhrmann, Jennifer Garcia, Nicole Haykin, Rebecca Sameroff, Rebecca Todd

Monteverde Institute: Culture, Community, and Health

A research paper about the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in the Monteverde Zone.

Reading Comprehension Strategies For Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Susan Reese

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to describe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), its possible causes, characteristics, treatment options, and instructional strategies used for teaching reading comprehension to people with this disorder. ADHD is characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, or impulsiveness to a degree beyond what is considered normal for the person's age.

While the exact causes are unknown, research is beginning to reveal that the disorder is brain based and genetic in disposition. Presently there is no cure for ADHD, but treatment options are available which include medications and/or therapies. Reading comprehension strategies to assist people with ADHD include chunking, …

Gender Differences In American Children's Oral Narratives, Nadezda M. Zernova

Graduate Research Papers

Gender differences exist among different aspects of children's development (such as social, cognitive, and emotional). Children's narratives have been used as a common assessment tool (Libby & Aries, 1989; Wang & Leichtman, 2000) to learn more about gender differences. Knowledge of existing differences enables educators to individualize their teaching for boys and girls in order to benefit their development. The present study focused on gender differences in the following areas of American children's oral narratives: characters, emotional tone, structure, content, and language. The participants of the study were 14 kindergarteners and first-graders (7 boys and 7 girls) between ages 6 …

A Study Of The Relationship Between The Number Of High School Science Credits Earned And Successful Completion Of The First Year Of College At A Regents’ Institution, Amy Denise Jabens

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between the number of science credits a student completes at Prairie High School and the successful completion of his or her first year of college at an Iowa Regent's institution as defined by college grade point average and a minimum number of credits earned. Data for this study was collected from high school transcripts and Prairie High School's annual report from the Iowa State Board of Regents. This report outlines how many credits students earn and their cumulative grade point average at the end of their first year of college. …

Augmentation Of Reading Across The Curriculum, Student Exploration Of Literature, And Library Collection Development Through The Compilation Of A Comprehensive Annotated Bibliography Of High School Content Area Literature, Patricia J. Erkenbrack

Graduate Research Papers

The most current National Center for Education Statistics data are that average reading scores of American adolescents have been essentially stagnant since 1971, generating concern about the ability of high school graduates to meet the literacy challenges of the twenty-first century. A 1925 study conducted by the National Committee on Reading formulated the concept of literature-based content area reading instruction, in which the substantive involvement of school librarians was seen as crucial for success. No recent research on the integration ofliterature into content areas at the high school level is available, but the effectiveness of such a strategy is implied …

The Modern Age Of Informed Consent, Barbara L. Atwell

University of Richmond Law Review

This essay explores the informed consent ramifications of the confluence of these two phenomena: developments in medical technology and emerging adulthood. In particular, it explores consent to medical treatments by emerging adults that are both elective and irreversible. In such cases, policy considerations dictate that additional safeguards be implemented to ensure that the consent given is truly informed. Part II of this essay provides an overview of the informed consent doctrine and outlines a variety of advancements in elective medical technology. Part III explores the concept of emerging adulthood. Part IV suggests that when emerging adults seek medical treatments that …

Undeserving Heirs?--The Case Of The "Terminated" Parent, Richard Lewis Brown

University of Richmond Law Review

Every state has an intestate succession statute that prescribes how the property of those who die without a will should be distributed. Every state also by statute authorizes the government to intervene in the parent-child relationship in the most draconian manner possible by involuntarily terminating parental rights. This article explores how the law functions at the intersection of these two statutory schemes-the inheritance regime, as expressed through intestate succession statutes, and the child welfare regime, as expressed through termination of parental rights statutes ("TPR statutes").

Phenolic Compounds And Antioxidant Activity Of Oat Bran By Various Extraction Methods, Darryl Lourey Holliday

LSU Master's Theses

Recent studies have suggested that the health promoting capabilities of oats are due to its antioxidants (tocopherols, tocotrienols, and sterols) found within the bran along with phenolic compounds, such as avenanthramides, p-hydroxybenoic acid and vanillic acid. Long-chain fatty acid oxidation is directly responsible for most off-flavors in food. Since oat bran is a good source of antioxidants, a concentrated extract could be used as a natural preservative, for foods rich in unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. Three methods, traditional solvent (TSE), microwave-assisted solvent (MAS), and supercritical fluid treatment (SFT), were used to obtain the extracts. One extraction temperature in TSE, 60°C, …

Effect Of Low Level Laser Therapy On Migration Of Human Skin Cells Across A Standardized Wound, Kathleen Orzechowski

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that different dosages of low level laser therapy have on human skin cell migration. Normal newborn foreskin fibroblasts were seeded into a four well chamber microscope slide. Cellular monolayers were inflicted with three standardized wounds per well. Following the wounding of cells, each well received low level laser therapy once from a 635 nm laser at one of four treatment dosages (0.0 J/cm 2, 1.0 J/cm2, 1.5 J/cm2, 2.0 J/cm 2) with a power output of 11.5 mW. Digital images were recorded immediately following wounding, and every hour thereafter for …

Character Strengths And Psychological Well-Being As Predictors Of Life Satisfaction Among Multicultural Populations, Alejandro Patricio Yanez

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if facets of character strengths and psychological well being differentially predicted life satisfaction among four racial groups in a sample of 572 university students. Participants completed assessment instruments measuring character strengths, psychological well-being, and life satisfaction. Regarding character strengths, the following were predictive of life satisfaction: Caucasians, intellectual strengths and emotional strengths; African Americans and Hispanic Americans, theological strengths; and Asian Americans, theological strengths, emotional strengths, and intellectual strengths. Regarding psychological well-being, the following were predictive of life satisfaction: Caucasians, self-acceptance and environmental mastery; African Americans, none of the domains; Hispanic Americans, …

Becoming Phonemically Aware: A Study On The Role Of Assistance In Language Learning, Carey W Roybal-Benson

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

This was a Sociocultural study of second language learning involving Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (Vygotsky, 1978; & Newman and Holzman, 1993), phonemic awareness (Adams, 1990, Lieberman & Shankweiler, 1985), and dynamic assessment (Campione and Brown, 1987; Feuerstein, 1979; and Budoff, 1987). This inquiry was aimed at understanding how assistance functions in second language learning, uncovering student abilities in collaboration through an L2 dynamic assessment of phonemic awareness, and determining what information is available with an L2 dynamic assessment of phonemic awareness. This investigation illuminated teacher-to-student and student-to-student assistance in assessing/learning a second language during a Dynamic Assessment of L2 …

City As An Ecological Space: Social Capital And Urban Land Use, The , Sheila R. Foster

Faculty Scholarship

One of the goals of land use (and pollution control) law is to force the internalization of these costs. This otherwise economic view of land use law is also rooted, however, in an ecological understanding of urban land use. Legal scholars writing over three decades ago successfully argued, based upon the ecological facts of life, that "[p]roperty does not exist in isolation" because the effects of its uses flow outside of the boundaries of ownership. The notion that property is inextricably part of a network of social and economic relationships, and that its impacts traverse legally defined boundaries and relationships, …

Glacial Deposits, Vol. 34, 2005-2006, Department Of Geography-Geology

Glacial Deposits

Newsletter of the Department of Geography-Geology

Look Baby, I Know You : Queering Race And Coloring Sexuality In Giovanni's Room, Cane, And Absalom, Absalom!, Elizabeth Rose Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.