Digital Commons Network^™

Shape Matching, Relevance Feedback, And Indexing With Application To Spine X-Ray Image Retrieval, Xiaoqian Xu

Theses and Dissertations

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), an institute in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), maintains a collection of 17,000 digitized spine X-ray images obtained from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). Research effort has been devoted to develop a web-accessible retrieval system that allows retrieval of images from the NHANES II database on relevant and frequently found pathologies. A comprehensive and successful image retrieval system requires effective image representation and matching methods, relevance feedback algorithms to incorporate user opinions, and efficient indexing schemes for fast access to image databases. This dissertation studies and develops approaches …

Brain Stimulation Reward Is Integrated By A Network Of Electrically-Coupled Gaba Neurons, Matthew Brian Lassen

Theses and Dissertations

Although it is well-established that animals will self-stimulate electric current to various diverse brain structures, the neural substrate of brain stimulation reward (BSR) has eluded identification since its discovery more than a half-century ago. We show that GABA neurons in the midbrain, hypothalamus and thalamus express connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions and couple electrically with dopamine application or by stimulation of the internal capsule (IC), which also supports self-stimulation. The threshold for responding for self-stimulation of the IC is the threshold for coupling between these GABA neurons, the degree of responding for IC ICSS is proportional to the magnitude of electrical …

Evolution In Neotropical Herpetofauna: Species Boundaries In High Andean Frogs And Evolutionary Genetics In The Lava Lizard Genus Microlophus (Squamata: Tropiduridae): A History Of Colonization And Dispersal, Edgar Benavides

Theses and Dissertations

In this collection of papers I have summarized my investigations into the field of evolutionary genetics and more specifically into patterns of biodiversity and evolutionary processes. The lizards (and frogs) studied here share common features in that they are largely present in unique environments, which are also regions that are biologically understudied. Most of these taxa show high degrees of endemism, interesting natural history characteristics, and each group manifests distinctive adaptations of general evolutionary interest. My work in the genus Telmatobius has been a progressive approach that began in my MS program, and it first focused on alpha taxonomy, morphological …

Second High School Mathematicstournament Fields 88 Students, Elaine Pugh

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Eighty-eight high school students from the region competed at the University of Mississippi recently in the second Ole Miss High School Mathematics Tournament. Schools were represented from as far north as Memphis and south to Hattiesburg, said Tristan Denley, UM chair and professor of mathematics.

The Bg News December 7, 2006, Bowling Green State University

BG News (Student Newspaper)

The BGSU campus student newspaper. December 7, 2006. Volume 97-Issue 72.

Hindsight: The Moving Image And The Post-Photographic, John Aäsp

Theses

My recent video work employs a chronophotographic template to play on the idea of extracting knowledge from a fragmented visual sequence. Rather than freezing separate frames as instances of motion (as seen in a Muybridge sequence), motion is left within the sequence—looping continuously to create a paradox of stasis and dynamism. Using found footage from an older film era or clips from modern television, sequences are recaptured and reorganized to create a media-hybridized moment standing in a new temporal flow.

Influenced by the philosophy of Henri Bergson, this work explores a gray area between cinema and photography, motion and stillness, …

Minutes From The December 7, 2006 Meeting Of The University Of Montana Faculty, University Of Montana--Missoula. Faculty

University of Montana Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

Meeting minutes from the December 7, 2006 meeting of the University of Montana faculty.

The Montclarion, December 07, 2006, The Montclarion

The Montclarion

Student Newspaper of Montclair State University

Otter Realm, December 7, 2006, California State University, Monterey Bay

The Otter Realm

Great Sex-pectations -- Meet our student government -- Developments and construction continue to excite surrounding community -- Credit card fraud plagues campus -- CSUMB welcomes new Provost -- Otterstream is back -- Letter to the editor: Another One Bites the Dust...A song that is just not so funny anymore -- Liberal Studies to walk a straight line -- The TAT department reorganizes -- Realm staffer reports on her own Student Disability Resources experience -- Sex, drugs, and dorm life -- Sexual LIASONS off campus -- RX Bandits: Just what the doctor ordered -- Music in the Otter Express -- Adam's …

The Cowl - V. 71 - N. 13 - Dec 7, 2006

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Volume 71 - Number 13 - December 7, 2006. 32 pages.

Investigation Of Poly[4(5)-Vinylimidazole] Composites And Their Potential As Proton Conductive Membranes, Jinghang Wu

Theses

In order to demonstrate proton conductivity in an imidazole polymer system, novel composite proton exchange membranes were fabricated by casting films of poly[4(5)-vinylimidazole/vinylimidazolium trifluoromethylsufonylimide] and poly(vinylidene fluoride)], PVdF, from mixed dimethylformamide (DMF) solutions. The phase, composition and morphology of these composites were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and hot stage polarized microscopy. Thermal stability was evaluated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Proton conductivity was in a fuel cell test fixture evaluated at GM Fuel Cell Activities in Honeoye Falls, NY. DSC thermograms were characterized by a crystalline melt for the PVdF component at ∼169°C. All composites displayed a well-form …

The Architecture Of Enabling Technology In The Critical Care Setting: The Role Of Architecture In Addressing The Health Care - Technology Paradox, Matthew Nitch

All Theses

Health care architecture, particularly tertiary care settings, which have the sickest people, and most advanced medical care, should accommodate and employ technology in ways that are both therapeutic and enabling. Although technology in the tertiary care setting is generally considered beneficial, it can sometimes have negative impacts, cause stress and result in poor health outcomes. Norman Cousins said in his book Anatomy of an Illness, 'Many doctors are increasingly aware of the circular paradox [of the intensive care unit]. It provides better electronic aids than ever before for dealing with emergencies that are often intensified because they communicate a sense …

Investigation Into Compatibility Between Repair Material And Substrate Concrete Using Experimental And Finite Element Method, Rashmi Pattnaik

All Dissertations

The failure of concrete repairs is mainly due to improper selection of repair material based on individual repair material properties, without investigating the compatibility between repair material and substrate concrete. In this dissertation the compatibility between eight repair materials and substrate concrete was investigated in three stages. First, individual properties of the repair materials such as setting time, flow, compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, bond strength, drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw resistance, and permeability, were determined using standard ASTM test procedures. Second, the compatibility was investigated using a composite beam under third point loading. Third, the correlation of repair material …

Modeling And Simulation Of Friction-Limited Continuously Variable Transmissions, Nilabh Srivastava

All Dissertations

Over the last few decades, a lot of research effort has increasingly been directed towards developing vehicle transmissions that accomplish the government imperatives of increased vehicle efficiency and lower exhaust (greenhouse gaseous) emissions. These exhaust emissions can be regulated or lowered by increasing the fuel economy of a vehicle, and CVTs (continuously variable transmissions), indubitably, play a crucial role in this plan to improve the fuel economy. A continuously variable transmission is an emerging automotive transmission technology that offers a continuum of gear ratios between desired limits. A CVT offers numerous advantages over the conventional multi-step gear transmissions such as …

Long-Term Evaluation Of Liquid Vs. Granular Nitrogen Fertilization On Creeping Bentgrass [Agrostis Stoloniferous L. Var. Palustris Huds.] And Hybrid Bermudagrass [Cynodon Dactylon (L.) Pers. X C. Transvaalensis Burtt-Davy] Performance, Frederick Totten

All Dissertations

Limited turfgrass research comparing the efficiency of foliar to granular fertilizers exists. To expand upon previous research and to determine advantages and disadvantages between dry and liquid fertilizers applied to turf, research was conducted at Clemson University to compare the efficiency of three nitrogen (N) carriers (100% granular, 100% liquid, and 50% granular + 50% liquid) using N rates ranging from 98 to 390 kg ha-1 on growth and performance of creeping bentgrass and ultra-dwarf bermudagrass.

Studies were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to evaluate liquid and/or granular N fertilization on turfgrass quality, clipping yield, and root biomass of `L-93` …

Characterization Of Capillary-Channeled Polymer Fibers As Stationary Phases For High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Of Macromolecules, Dwella Nelson

All Dissertations

Capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fibers are being developed and characterized as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) stationary phases for reversed-phase separations of proteins. Conventional porous phases are not well suited for separating large macromolecules due to the slow diffusivity of the molecules, large diffusional distances, and stagnant mobile phase zones within the column. Stationary phases are continually being developed to address the challenges associated with HPLC of proteins and other macromolecules in general. C-CP fiber stationary phases are an alternative to conventional bead technology and offer a variety of chemical and physical advantages. The fibers can be selected for their chemical functionality …

Channel-Access And Routing Protocols For Wireless Ad Hoc Networks With Directional Antennas, Arvind Swaminathan

All Dissertations

Medium-access control (MAC) and multiple-hop routing protocols are presented that exploit the presence of directional antennas at nodes in a wireless ad hoc network. The protocols are designed for heterogeneous networks in which an arbitrary subset use directional antennas. It is shown that the new protocols improvement the network`s performance substantially in a wide range of scenarios.
A new MAC protocol is presented that employs the RTS/CTS mechanism. It accounts for the constraints imposed by a directional antenna system, and it is designed to exploit the capabilities of a directional antenna. It is shown that the receiver blocking problem is …

Managing Product Line Asset Bases, John Hunt

All Dissertations

Product lines are predicated on collecting assets common to the desired product portfolio, commonly known as the asset base. For many product lines, the size of asset base has become large enough to create a variety of difficulties. The techniques for managing large product line asset bases are unaddressed in the literature.
This research presents new techniques that take advantage of asset base characteristics, unavailable in more general collections, to both reduce the number of assets and to organize the asset base that go beyond what is possible with other software collections. The result is an asset base that is …

Analysis Of Near-Infrared Phase Effects On Biometric Iris Data, Brady Roos Stevenson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to ascertain potential iris scan data variations from near infrared waves derived from fluorescent illumination. Prior studies of iris data variances from infrared wave interference of halogen, incandescent, and sunlight with iris cameras suggest that similar changes may exist under near infrared wavelengths from fluorescent light. The concern is that the fluorescent energy emission may interfere with the near infrared detection of an iris camera. An iris camera is used to measure human eye characteristics known as biometrics. If such infrared emission is statistically significant, then it can alter the validity of the iris …

A Dynamic Workflow Framework For Mass Customization Using Web Service And Autonomous Agent Technologies, Daniel J. Karpowitz

Theses and Dissertations

Custom software development and maintenance is one of the key expenses associated with developing automated systems for mass customization. This paper presents a method for reducing the risk associated with this expense by developing a flexible environment for determining and executing dynamic workflow paths. Strategies for developing an autonomous agent-based framework and for identifying and creating web services for specific process tasks are presented. The proposed methods are outlined in two different case studies to illustrate the approach for both a generic process with complex workflow paths and a more specific sequential engineering process.

Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer (Raft) Polymerization In Grafting Polymer Chains From Tio2 Nanoparticles, Joseph Lott

Theses

A phosphonate coupling molecule containing a vinyl double bond was synthesized and anchored onto the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles. Diffuse reflectance infra-red (DRIFT) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the coupling molecule on the particulate surface while thermogravimetric analysis revealed the coupling molecule covered 28% of the surface. Methyl methacrylate was free radically polymerized through the immobilized vinyl bond on the surface in the presence of the reversible additionfragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) agent 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate using 2,2'-azobisisobutylnitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. DRIFT measurements confirmed the presence of methacrylate groups on the surface. Differential scanning calorimetry detected a weak glass transition for …

Kenyon Collegian - December 7, 2006

The Kenyon Collegian

No abstract provided.

2006-12-07 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes for December 6, 2006.

Lanthorn, Vol. 41, No. 30, December 7, 2006, Grand Valley State University

Volume 41, July 13, 2006 - June 14, 2007

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Summary Of State V. Rincon, 122 Nev. Adv. Op. 99, Michelle L'Hommedieu

Nevada Supreme Court Summaries

A motorist is driving below the speed limit is, by itself, insufficient to give rise to a reasonable suspicion of driving while intoxicated warranting an investigative stop. While reasonable suspicion is not a stringent standard, it requires more than a mere observation that a motorist is driving slowly. There must be additional indicia of erratic driving or unusual behavior before a reasonable suspicion arises justifying an investigative stop. Where no reasonable suspicion exists, an inquiry stop may nonetheless be justified under the community caretaking doctrine when a police officer has an objectively reasonable belief that a slow driver is in …

The Grizzly, December 7, 2006, Kerri Landis, Marlena M. Mcmahon-Purk, Akasya Benge, Corinne Liccketto, Sarah Keck, Simon Marcus, Tracey Ferdinand, Lane Taylor, Paul P. Doghramji, Caroline Meiers, Brandon Brown, Alex Ernst, Matt Flyntz, Matthew Pastor

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Facing Facebook: Ursinus Administrators Show Students the Dangers of Internet Use • New Berman Exhibit to be Longest Running Show • Ursinus Administration Supports WeCAN's Backing of Workers' Rights • Sounds of Gospel Music Bless the Lenfest Stage • Unraveling the Floy Lewis Bakes Center • What is Rushing? • Health in Ten Questions: Influenza • Opinions: What's Happened to our Movies?; Christmas: A Season of Pretension • Men's Basketball Looks for Three-peat, Women Contenders in Centennial Conference

A Torque Based Power Input Model For Friction Stir Welding, Jefferson W. Pew

Theses and Dissertations

For decades models have been developed for predicting the size of the weld nugget and heat affected zones in fusion welded structures. The basis for these models is the welding heat input, which is fairly well understood for most arc welding processes. However, this traditional approach is not as straightforward for Friction Stir Welding (FSW). To date, there is no definitive relationship to quantify the heat input for FSW. An important step to establish a heat input model is to identify how FSW process parameters affect weld power. This study details the relationship between FSW process parameters and torque for …

Nomos, Conflict, And The Tragedy Of Adjudication: The Jurisprudence Of Robert Cover, Julen Etxabe

ExpressO

Robert Cover is known for having argued that in every plural society there exist, along with the State, multiple normative entities that create and maintain their own sense of normativity, that is, their own holistic modes of assessing good and bad, valid and invalid, right and wrong. Beyond that, few systematic attempts have been made to pursue this view as a comprehensive theory of law. The principal aim of this piece is to demonstrate that Cover offers a novel and viable paradigm of law, which must at least include an ontology (an understanding of the basic units and organizational structure …

Cal Poly To Dedicate Solar Energy System Dec. 7, Public Affairs Office

Press Releases

No abstract provided.

Cal Poly Offers Mcat Review Course For Med School Hopefuls, Public Affairs Office

Press Releases

No abstract provided.