Digital Commons Network^™

Determinants Of Young Adult Poverty: A Zip Code Level Analysis, Kaustav Misra

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

The war on poverty started in America in the early 1960s, and the poverty rate of 22.4 percent in the year 1959 decreased to 11.1 percent in 1973. Regrettably, this war did not last long enough, as poverty rate increased to 15.1 percent in 1993. In the year 2000 the US poverty rate declined, but always stayed above 11.1 percent. Kentucky also did not achieve success in this poverty war, and it resulted in growing numbers of poor people. Analysis of poverty has always aroused the interest of economists, sociologists and policy makers. Goal of this paper is to intricate …

Approximate Analysis Of Re-Entrant Lines With Bernoulli Reliability Models, Chong Wang

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Re-entrant lines are widely used in many manufacturing systems, such as semiconductor, electronics, etc. However, the performance analysis of re-entrant lines is largely unexplored due to its complexity. In this thesis, we present iterative procedures to approximate the production rate of re-entrant lines with Bernoulli reliability of machines. The convergence of the algorithms, uniqueness of the solution, and structural properties, have been proved analytically. The accuracy of the procedures is investigated numerically. It is shown that the approaches developed can either provide a lower bound or a closed estimate of the system production rate. Finally, a case study of automotive …

The Effect Of The Appalachian Math And Science Partnership On Student Achievement, Betsy Evans

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Students in the schools of Central Appalachia continuously score lower in mathematics and science at all K-12 levels than their state’s average scores. This education achievement gap is currently being addressed by the Appalachian Math and Science Partnership (AMSP). The AMSP is a professional development program whose goal is to increase the academic achievement of students in mathematics and science by enhancing the content knowledge and teaching skills of classroom teachers. There is a growing body of research that shows improving teacher knowledge and teaching skills is essential to raising student achievement.

The purpose of this study is to determine …

Constructing Success: Accountability, Public Reporting, And The California High School Exit Exam, John S. Rogers

Santa Clara Law Review

No abstract provided.

Laws Against Bubbles: An Experimental-Asset-Market Approach To Analyzing Financial Regulation, Erik F. Gerding

Publications

This article analyzes the effectiveness of proposed and actual securities, financial, and tax laws designed to prevent, or dampen the severity of asset price bubbles, including laws designed to mitigate excessive speculation. The article employs experimental asset market research to measure the effectiveness of these anti-bubble laws in correcting mispricings. Experimental asset markets represent complex simulations of stock markets in which subjects trade securities over a computer network. These markets allow scholars to test causal links between legal policies and market effects in ways that empirical research alone cannot. With these virtual markets, researchers can identify asset price bubbles - …

Being And Becoming: The Heart Of Teacher Education, Bev Norsworthy

International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal

Teacher education is of critical concern to a nation’s well-being. Scripture clearly identifies that the predominant narratives in a nation’s education are directly linked to its citizen’s behaviour (e.g., see Psalm 78, Judges 2). Literature which claims that teacher education has little influence on beliefs that pre-service teachers bring to their initial teacher education may unnerve Christian teacher educators who seek to equip teachers to make a difference in the lives of children and parents in a nation (Berry, 2004; Fletcher, 1997; Hatton & Smith, 1995; Lowery, 2003). For example, Berry (2004, p. 1302) observes that:

There is little doubt …

Final Report : Bellevue Sustainable Industry Project, Beth Walker, Janice Redmond, Ute Goeft

Research outputs pre 2011

This report is the result of a grant from the W A Waste Management Board's Waste Management and Recycling Fund to investigate the attitudes and practices of Bellevue business owner-managers to environmental issues and waste management since 2005. In 2005 data was collected to provide baseline information of the level of business interest in the environment and waste management practices in the Bellevue industrial area. After. the analysis of that data was reported, an intervention program was implemented by the Swan Catchment Council. The intervention program included the following...

Firearm Identification With Hierarchical Neural Networks By Analyzing The Firing Pin Images Retrieved From Cartridge Cases, Dongguang Li

Research outputs pre 2011

When a gun is fired, characteristic markings on the cartridge and projectile of a bullet are produced. Over thirty different features can be distinguished from observing these marks, which in combination produce a "fingerprint" for identification of a firearm. ln this paper, through the use of hierarchial neural networks a firearm identification system based on cartridge case images is proposed. We focus on the cartridge case identification of rim-fire mechanism. Experiments show that the model proposed has high performance and robustness by integrating two levels Self- Organizing Feature Map (SOFM) neural networks and the decision-making strategy. This model will also …

Proceedings Of The Sixth International Workshop For Applied Pkc (Iwap2007), Dongguang Li

Research outputs pre 2011

IWAP2007 will be the sixth of a series of successful international workshops with focus on research and engineering issues of the applied aspects of public key cryptosystems. The inaugural IWAP event was held in Korea in 2001, and was subsequently held in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively in Taipei, Japan, Singapore and China. The IWAP2003 was cancelled due to the SARS breakout. Theoreticians and practitioners interested in the applied issues of PKC were encouraged to participate and contribute to the continuous success of the IWAP workshop series. The host of the IWAP2007 is Edith Cowan University. It is my …

Australian Firearm Identification System Based On The Ballistics Images Of Projectile Specimens, Dongguang Li

Research outputs pre 2011

Charactetistic markings on the cartridge case and projectile of a fired bullet are created when it is fired. Over thirty different features within these marks can be distinguished, which in combination produce a "fingerprint" for a firearm. By analyzing features within such a set of fireann :fingerprints, it will be possible to identify not only the type and model of a fireann, but also each every individual weapon as effectively as human :fingerprint identification. A new analytic system based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) for identifying the projectile specimens by the line-scan imaging technique is proposed in this paper. Experimental …

Minimizing The Number Of Constraints For Shared Backup Path Protection (Sbpp) In Shared Risk Link Group (Srlg) Optical Mesh Networks, Daryoush Habibi, Viet Quoc Phung, Hoang N. Nguyen

Research outputs pre 2011

Path-arc integer linear programming (ILP) models for shared backup path protection (SBPP) in optical mesh networks generally contain many redundant constraints for calculating shared backup capacity. This greatly increases the computational time of the ILP solvers. In this paper, we first identify the sharing relationship between working and backup capacities, which facilitates the development of two novel algorithms for minimizing the number of constraints in ILP models for SBPP in mesh networks. Next, we consider the more realistic case of Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG) networks, where some optical fibers have the same risk of a physical cut due to …

Analysis Of Pki As A Means Of Securing Odf Documents, Gautham Kasinath, Leisa J. Armstrong

Research outputs pre 2011

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) has for the last two decades been a means of securing systems and communication. With the adoption of Open Document Format (ODF) as an ISO standard, the question remains if the unpopular, expensive, complex and unmaintainable PKI can prove to be a viable means of securing ODF documents. This paper analyses the drawbacks of PKI and evaluates the useji.tlness of PKl in provisioning robust, cheap and maintainable XML security to XML based ODF. This paper also evaluates the existing research on XML security, more specifically fine grained access control.

Importance Of Verification And Validation Of Data Sources In Attaining Information Superiority, Gautham Kasinath, Leisa J. Armstrong

Research outputs pre 2011

Information superiority has been defined as a state that is achieved when a competitive advantage is derived from the ability to exploit a superior information position. To achieve such a superior information position enterprises and nations, alike, must not only collect and record correct, accurate, timely and useful information but also ensure that information recorded is not lost to competitors due to lack of comprehensive security and leaks. Further, enterprises that aim to attain information superiority must also ensure mechanisms of validating and verifying information to reduce the chances of mis-information. Although, research has been carried out into ways to …

Evolving Players For An Ancient Game: Hnefatafl, Philip Hingston

Research outputs pre 2011

Hnefatafl is an ancient Norse game - an ancestor of chess. In this paper, we report on the development of computer players for this game. In the spirit of Blondie24, we evolve neural networks as board evaluation functions for different versions of the game. An unusual aspect of this game is that there is no general agreement on the rules: it is no longer much played, and game historians attempt to infer the rules from scraps of historical texts, with ambiguities often resolved on gut feeling as to what the rules must have been in order to achieve a balanced …

Experiments With Monte Carlo Othello, Philip Hingston, Martin Masek

Research outputs pre 2011

In this paper, we report on our experiments with using Monte Carlo simulation (specifically the UCT algorithm) as the basis for an Othello playing program. Monte Carlo methods have been used for other games in the past, most recently and notably in successful Go playing programs. We show that Monte Carlo-based players have potential for Othello, and that evolutionary algorithms can be used to improve their strength.

Use Of Online Tools To Aid Group Work, Martin Masek

Research outputs pre 2011

In this paper we examine the use of online tools – namely wikis and blogs in aiding group work for a large and diverse student-based team. The results suggest that while students see the generic skill of being able to work in a team as important for their future career, using blogs and wikis is not seen to be as important. It was also found that the flexibility of these tools provides more motivation for students than having assessment based on their use.

The Future Of Clinical Laboratory Science: A Delphi Study., Beverly A. Kirby

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The critical shortage of clinical laboratory scientists indicates an urgency for planning for the future. A three-round Delphi study explored the future of the clinical laboratory science profession as predicted by a panel of experts. Thirty-two nationally known authorities in the field were invited and 24 agreed to participate as an expert panel. The first round asked the panelists to respond to the statement, “As I consider the next 20 years of clinical laboratory science as a profession, I believe that the following events might occur.” Round One generated more than 200 events which the investigator synthesized into a 147-event …

Predictive Vegetation Models: A Comparison Of Model Combination Approaches., Benjamin F. Gilmer Iv

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The distribution of plants and animals in space and time has long been a focus of many biogeographical and ecological studies. The various approaches for modeling species distributions are rooted in the quantification of the species-environment relationship, where bioclimatic variables are used to explain the distribution of species and communities. Predictive modeling of species distribution has become a widespread tool in the areas of conservation biology, climate change research, land-use/land-cover change assessment, and biodiversity estimates. Although many statistical methods are now available, previous model comparison studies have found little difference in prediction accuracy when models were compared using the same …

A Simple And Reliable Method For Gas Well Deliverability Determination., Arman G. Yussefabad

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Multi-rate tests generally provide accurate values for gas reservoir formation parameters and deliverability equation coefficients. This type of results enables the engineer to make proper decisions on whether remedial work is required and the potential improvement that can be achieved. The multi-rate tests, such as isochronal or modified isochronal tests, are however cumbersome to conduct due to need for achieving stabilization or lengthy shut-in periods. The goal of this study has been to develop a simple and reliable method for gas well deliverability determination based on a single rate build-up or fall-off test. Traditionally, single rate well tests have been …

Data Discretization Simplified: Randomized Binary Search Trees For Data Preprocessing., Donald Joseph Boland Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Data discretization is a commonly used preprocessing method in data mining. Several authors have put forth claims that a particular method they have written performs better than other competing methods in this field. Examining these methods we have found that they rely upon unnecessarily complex data structures and techniques in order to perform their preprocessing. They also typically involve sorting each new record to determine its location in the preceding data. We describe what we consider to be a simple discretization method based upon a randomized binary search tree that provides the sorting routine as one of the properties of …

Technical Director As Problem Solver: West Virginia University Division Of Theatre And Dance's Production Of "A Flea In Her Ear"., James Gray Daniel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This paper is intended as an account of the history and process of West Virginia University Division of Theatre and Dance’s production of Georges Feydeau’s farce, A Flea in Her Ear, as presented in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre in the fall of 2006. I will look at this through the eyes and concerns of the Technical Director. It contains a synopsis of the play, a history of this production, problems that arose and their solutions and an assessment of how things went. It is supported by notes, technical drawings and photographs.

Heat Shock Protein 90: A Potential Therapeutic Target In Leukemic Progenitor And Stem Cells Harboring Mutant Bcr-Abl Resistant To Kinase Inhibitors, C Peng, Dongguang Li, L Shaoguang

Research outputs pre 2011

Development of drug resistance has become a major obstacle for tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and other cancers. The BCR-ABL-T315I mutant does not respond to clinically available TKIs, although some newly developed anti-BCR-ABL-T315I TKIs are now being tested in patients. TKIs transiently inhibit kinase activity of BCR-ABL, but do not reduce the level of the BCR-ABL protein. Elimination of mutant BCR-ABL protein would provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating Ph+ leukemia. We recently showed that inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) by a novel Hsp90 inhibitor, IPI-504, causes …

Cylindrical Quasi-Cavity Waveguide For Static Wide Angle Pattern Projection, Kaveh Sahba, Kamal Alameh, Clifton Smith, Arie Paap

Research outputs pre 2011

Beam deflection methods such as rotary mirrors and motorized turning optical heads suffer from a variety of electro-mechanical related problems which affect laser scanning performance. These include wobble, jitter, wear, windage and synchronization issues. A novel optical structure consisting of two concentric and cylindrical interfaces with unique optical coating properties for the static projection of a laser spot array over a wide angle is demonstrated. The resulting ray trajectory through the waveguide is modeled using linear equations. Spot size growth is modeled using previously defined ray transfer matrices for tilted optical elements. The model is validated by comparison with experimental …

A Gui For The Deaf-Blind: An Additional Concepts Paper, David Veal

Research outputs pre 2011

People with some residual vision though still classified as blind may be able to read on screen patterns presented via a computer program whereby such a pattern can represent a textual character and a presentation of sequences of such patterns can represent words. These patterns can be adjusted to utilize the user’s remaining vision capacity. Previous research has shown that volunteers who where legally classified as blind could read simple sentences via such a system. This system is known as the Dynamic Pattern System (DPS) and is a test bed for research. Although this research involved a single pattern represented …

It Devices And Energy Consumption, David Veal

Research outputs pre 2011

The need for energy conservation has been topical for many years and has gained importance with global warming scenarios and the increasing cost of energy. This paper examines energy consumption of common home IT devices such as routers, voice boxes, PCs and printers with respect to minimising standby power. Another problem of concern in energy usage as related to IT activity is the increasing electrical power consumption levels of data centres, along with data centre cooling problems and the attempts to enhance their energy efficiency. These scenarios illustrate small amounts of energy consumption used by vast numbers of device compared …

Fibre Bragg Grating Sensors For Acoustic Emission And Transmission Detection Applied To Robotic Nde In Structural Health Monitoring, Graham Wild, Steven Hinckley

Research outputs pre 2011

Distributed acoustic emission sensors are used in structural health monitoring (SHM) for the detection of impacts and/or strain, in real time. Secondary damage may result from the initial impact or strain. This damage may include surface pitting, erosion, or cracking. This type of damage may not be detectable by the SHM system, specifically in passive fiber optic based sensing systems. The integration of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) by robots into SHM enables the detection and monitoring of a wider variety of damage. Communicating via acoustic transmissions represents a wireless communications method for use by NDE inspection robots to communicate with an …

Do Current Erasure Programs Remove Evidence Of Bittorrent Activity?, Andrew Woodward, Craig Valli

Research outputs pre 2011

This research in progress aims to evaluate the effectiveness of commercial programs to erase traces of the use of BitTorrent software. The erasure programs MaxErase, P2PDoctor, Privacy Suite, Window Washer and R-Clean and Wipe were used on a machine that had used the BitTorrent client Azureus to download two torrent files. The drive was imaged and then searched for torrent files. The registry was also examined on the source machine. The program R-Clean and Wipe left evidence in both the registry and the image of the name and type of files that had been downloaded with this software. Of greater …

Providing Qos For Symmetrical Voice/Video Traffic In Wireless Networks, Justin Wyatt, Daryoush Habibi, Iftekhar Ahmad, Hushairi Zen

Research outputs pre 2011

Voice over IP (VoIP) and voice-video over IP (VIoIP) are becoming very popular and widespread. These types of real-time services produce streams that are almost symmetrical in nature. A new token passing media access control (MAC) developed by our group, called wireless token network (WTN), has been designed with QoS guarantees in mind. We have previously shown in our previous paper (2006) that WTN supports a higher number of VoIP clients compared to 802.11e due to its higher channel efficiency. In this paper we show that WTN also provides superior QoS for bidirectional streams such as VIoIP due to a …

Profiling Through A Digital Mobile Device, Lee Fueng Yap, Andrew Jones

Research outputs pre 2011

Mobile digital devices have evolved from telecommunications device to a lifestyle product over the years. These devices are used in all aspects of our daily life. As a result, more information is stored within the devices. Unprotected mobile digital device is susceptible to privacy invasion attack when the device falls into the wrong hand of any unscrupulous third party. The main objective of this paper is to provide an implication analysis on the possible risks of information leakage through digital mobile devices, in the case when users forget to, or choose never to apply any security protection to their devices

Adaptive Segregation-Based Mac Protocol For Real-Time Multimedia Traffic In Wlans, Hushairi Zen, Daryoush Habibi, Alexander Rassau, Justin Wyatt

Research outputs pre 2011

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have become very popular both in private and public sectors. Despite the fast expansion of WLANs in various environments, quality of service (QoS) issues for multimedia applications in WLANs are not yet resolved. Multimedia applications contain traffic that are sensitive to delay and jitter and therefore a best-effort protocol such as the legacy IEEE 802.11 is not suitable. The 802.11e protocol provides prioritization and classification of traffic to offer better QoS for real-time services. However, it leaves the design and implementation of many important optimization features to vendors. In this paper we introduce a mechanism …