Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Use Of Human Metrology For Biometric Recognition, Nikhil Mallikarjun Reddy Burri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis explores the possibility of incorporating human body measurements in a biometric framework. While metrological features have been used for identifying persons in the late 19th century, there is limited work in automating this process for surveillance applications. We first establish the relevance of using metrological features in biometric systems by studying two anthropometric data-sets (NASA and NHANES). We then propose a technique to automatically extract a subset of these measurements from a video sequence. A robust segmentation technique (HMMF) to detect moving pixels corresponding to human objects is used in the first stage. Next, we use Active Contours …

User Habitation In Keystroke Dynamics Based Authentication, Qi Cheng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Most computer systems use usernames and passwords for authentication and access control. For long, password security has been framed as a tradeoff between user experience and password security. Trading off one for the other appears to be an inevitable dilemma for single password based security applications. As a new biometric for authenticating access, keystroke dynamics offers great promises in hardening the password mechanism. Our research first investigate the keystroke dynamics based password security by conducting an incremental study on user's habituation process for keystroke dynamics analysis using two distinct types of passwords. The study shows that (1) long and complex …

Estimation Of Skin Factor By Using Pressure Transient Testing Results Of A Single Rate Well Test, Delal Gunaydin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

About one-fifth of the natural gas used by Americans each winter comes from natural gas storage sites. Gas storage is the primary means for the gas industry to manage fluctuations in supply and demand. Natural gas can be stored in a variety of ways. Most commonly, it is held in underground formations, in depleted oil or gas reservoirs, or in natural aquifers.;Many gas storage wells show a decline in deliverability as a function of time due to several damage mechanisms. The remedial operations such as stimulation and workovers are used to restore the loss in deliverability and to enhance the …

Quality Of Iris Segmentation As A Predictor Of Verification Performance, Syvale Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this thesis, the accuracy of iris segmentation algorithms will be compared using quality measures based on both homogeneity and heterogeneity of the resulting image regions. After calculation of the quality measures, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is performed. The resulting pairwise distances between the genuine pairs are compared to the hamming distance scores of the iris templates. The relationship between the two samples will be examined, and curve fitting by least squares regression is shown to be an adequate method of prediction for genuine Hamming distance score. The work proposes a segmentation quality metric that is highly correlated with the …

Experimental Studies Of Electromagnetic Signals To Enhance Radio Imaging Method (Rim), William D. Monaghan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Safety and production of coal mining operations could be greatly affected by geologic anomalies such as faults, sandstone intrusions, dykes, fracture zones, sudden thinning and severe undulation of the coal seam. Since most of these geologic anomalies in coal seams effect the attenuation rate of electromagnetic signal that passes through them, the radio imaging method (RIM), using a signal in the kilohertz range, is capable of locating the zones of geologic anomalies in underground coal mines with the help of tomographic reconstruction programs. RIM technology is a promising geophysical tool for exploring the geologic anomalies ahead of modern longwall faces, …

Stand Dynamics Of An Old-Growth Hemlock-Hardwood Forest In West Virginia, Nathan R. Beane

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cathedral State Park (CSP) is a 54-ha, old-growth, hemlock-hardwood forest located in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Trees larger than 100 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) and 35 m tall are common. Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) (Adelges tsugae Annand) is an exotic insect that currently threatens eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.) throughout its native range, and was found in CSP in 2002. In 2006, field plots established in 2000 were remeasured to assess adelgid-induced changes to forest structure and species composition. The herbaceous plant community was also measured during the 2006 growing season to describe how …

Dot Matrices, Kelly Suzanne Sipes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

My thesis work is the production and mapping of painterly space using particular methods of formal abstraction, in contrast with common pattern. I construct these paintings in several layers, embellishing gestural atmospheres with idiosyncratic shapes and patterns in alternating rhythms. My focus is on the development of improvisational processes, creating a less ceremonious context for the measure of abstract painting as an idea, a visual language, and as an autonomous object. My technique of mapping is established to consider a territory for a reformed autonomous identity that is in opposition to the pluralist excesses of the postmodern. This paper will …

Perforated Appendicitis: Accuracy Of Ct Diagnosis And Correlation Of Ct Findings With The Length Of Hospital Stay, Asma Hina Siddiqui, Shaista Afzal

Department of Radiology

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of CT findings in the differentiation of perforated from nonperforated appendicitis and correlate CT diagnosis with the length of hospital stay.STUDY Design: An analytical study.PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: This study was conducted at Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2004 to June 2005.PATIENTS AND Methods: The study included 70 patients who presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and underwent pre-operative CT scan followed by appendectomy. Patients were divided into two groups of having perforated and nonperforated appendicitis on the basis of CT scan findings. The surgical and …

Morphological Study Of Sex Organs And Pollen Grain Of Chosen Wild Species From Solanaceae Family In Iraq, Sanaria A.J. Al-Allaq, Ali H. Mousawi, Ali H Musawi

Baghdad Science Journal

In this study four species from Solanaceae family was conducted. These four species belong to four different genera (Solanum L. , Physalis L. ,Withania Pauq. , Lycium L.) The study included morphological characters of sex organs and their pollen grains for these Iraqi wild plants.The results showed that the position of epipetalous stamens , the shape of anther, their dimensions ,and the length of filaments are important taxonomical characters .On the others hand the shape of their ovaries and stigmas are also important characters in distinguish between these four species .Pollen grains are similar in their general shapes and polarities, …

Collective Action Among Agro-Pastoralists In Baringo District, Kenya: Identifying And Nurturing The Entrepreneurs, D. Layne Coppock, Mark N. Mutinda, Stellamaris K. Muthoka, Abdillahi A. Aboud

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

The rural population of Baringo District in the Rift Valley of north-central Kenya faces numerous challenges including widespread environmental degradation and poverty. The region has endured decades of failed development projects, proliferation of food aid, and has been studied extensively. We have recently undertaken a different approach focused on bottom-up participatory action research and outreach among the Il Chamus and Tugen ethnic communities. The objective is to explore new ways to empower local people via provision of information, novel experiences, and initial access to resources to allow them to envision an alternative future and implement their own activities to better-manage …

Building Effective Community Participation And Stakeholder Partnerships To Promote Positive Change In The Southern Ethiopian Rangelands, D. Layne Coppock, Solomon Desta, Getachew Gebru, Seyoum Tezera, Dadi Amosha

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Recently there has been increased recognition that authentic community participation and creating strong inter-institutional partnerships are both important in the process of capacity building, generating innovation, and sustaining development achievements in rural Africa. Here we summarize a process of community participation and formation of institutional partnerships in support of pastoral risk-management interventions over the past seven years on the Borana Plateau. Community involvement has been stimulated using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods. This has resulted in the proliferation of pastoral collective-action groups that have diversified livelihoods, engaged markets, and improved incomes. Implementing and sustaining positive change, however, has also been …

Report On Nutria Management And Research In The Pacific Northwest, Trevor Sheffels, Mark Sytsma

Center for Lakes and Reservoirs Publications and Presentations

The nutria (Myocastor coypus) is a large semi-aquatic mammal native to South America that has been introduced to numerous countries around the world, primarily for fur farming. Nutria were introduced in Oregon and Washington in the 1930s, and feral populations were documented in 1943. Populations are known to be expanding in both Oregon and Washington, and regional nutria damage and nuisance complaints have increased in recent years. Most of the extensive damage caused by nutria is a direct result of feeding and burrowing, but nutria are also capable of transporting parasites and pathogens transmittable to humans, livestock, and …

On Mathematical Modeling, Nonlinear Properties And Stability Of Secondary Flow In A Dendrite Layer, Daniel N. Riahi

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper studies instabilities in the flow of melt within a horizontal dendrite layer with deformed upper boundary and in the presence or absence of rotation during the solidification of a binary alloy. In the presence of rotation, it is assumed that the layer is rotating about a vertical axis at a constant angular velocity. Linear and weakly nonlinear stability analyses provide results about various flow features such as the critical mode of convection, neutral stability curve, preferred flow pattern and the solid fraction distribution within the dendrite layer. The preferred shape of the deformed upper boundary of the layer, …

The Glossina Proteolytic Lectin (Gpl) Gene Is Expressed Only In Members Of Glossina Species, M. W. Burugu, B. N. Mbatia, E. O. Osir, E. U. Kenya, L. U. Abubakar

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Differentiation of bloodstream-form trypanosomes into procyclics in tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) is a crucial step in the establishment of midgut infections. A number of factors have been implicated in the transformation process, including enzymes and lectins or lectin-like molecules. Recently, Glossina proteolytic lectin (Gpl) gene, which encodes a protein with both lectin and trypsin activities has been shown to stimulate transformation of bloodstream-form trypanosomes into procyclics in vitro. Using RT-PCR, we show that the induction of Gpl gene expression by blood meal occurs only in Glossina fuscipes fuscipes Newstead, Glossina austeni Newstead, Glossina pallidipes Austen, and not in the Anopheles …

Semi-Captive Rearing Of The African Wild Silkmoth Gonometa Postica (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) On An Indigenous And A Non-Indigenous Host Plant In Kenya, Boniface M. Ngoka, Esther N. Kioko, Suresh K. Raina, Jones M. Mueke, David M. Kimbu

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The life cycle of the African wild silkmoth Gonometa postica Walker was studied between September 2000 and September 2001 in the Uasin Gishu District of western Kenya with Acacia mearnsii de Wild and Acacia hockii de Wild as host plants. The initial population of G. postica was set up from healthy live pupae in cocoons collected from host plants in the study area. Oviposition was carried out in net sleeves and small plastic cages. Moth emergence and oviposition were bimodal, occurring between September and October 2000 and between March and April 2001, respectively. Larvae were reared in semi-captivity by using …

Volume 32, No. 3

The Weldon Times

A student-run newspaper published at the School of Law at Dalhousie University.

Editor in Chief: James Lea

Layout Editor: Mavis Mak

Editors: Jenn Morrison, Cindy Locke, Jessica Hogeveen

Role Of Single And Mixed Culture Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And Serratia Ficaria In Utilization Of Petroleum Wastes Of Dora- Refineries., Amal A. Hussein, Shatha S. Hassan

Baghdad Science Journal

The ability of single and mixed bacterial culture to utilize Dora-refineries petroleum wastes was compared. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia ficaria mixed culture consumed the wastes better than the single bacterial cultures. The highest log. number of viable cells in mixed culture was 6.842 , while in single bacterial cultures it was 6.683 and 5.631, respectively. after 3 days in API medium containing the refinery wastes. The effect of some environmental conditions on the degradation of petroleum wastes was studied included aeration , NaCl concentration , pH and temperature. The growth of bacteria in the agitated culture was higher than stagnant …

Evaluation Of Humoral Immunity In Golden Hamsters Experimentally Infected With Leishmania Donovani, Hayder Zuhair Al-Samra'ay

Baghdad Science Journal

This study has evaluated the humoral immune response in Golden Hamsters experimentally infected with Leishmania donovani along (4) times of follow up (15, 30, 60, 90) days after infection. Indirect haemagglutination test was used to determine the antibody titer through the various stages of the study. Also the progress of the infection was studied depending on some of the visceral changes caused by the parasite, like weight of liver, length and weight of spleen and the count of Leishmania parasites in spleen were measured. Results has shown that there was an increase in antibody titer and the maximum value was …

The Effect Of Preservation On The Shelf Life Of Laboratory Processed Biscuit, Salim S. Al-Timimi, Kalid A., Eshrak G. K.

Baghdad Science Journal

This study has been conducted to investigate the influence of preservatives(sodium propionate and potassium sorbate) at different levels to extend the storage life of laboratory processed biscuit.The results have shown that When%0.10 sodium propionate was added bacteria and fungi was not found for three months while found in the fourth month of storage.However bacteria and mold didnot grow until the sixth month of storage as %0.20 and %0.30 concentration was used. On the other side as %0.03 potassium sorbate was used,the growth of bacteria was cheched for 3 months and 4 months for molds..When %0.06 potassium sorbate was used no …

New Method For The On-Line Determination Of Molybdenum Via New Microphotometric Home Mode Instrument, Using Hight Emitting Diode As A Variable Intensity Radiant Source With A Miniture Photosilicone Diode Detector For System: Molybdenum(Vi)-Hydrogen Peroxide-Ammonium Solution, Issam M.A. Shakir, Nagam S. Turkie, Yasmeen H. Muhamad

Baghdad Science Journal

This research work aims to the determination of molybdenum (VI) ion via the formation of peroxy molybdenum compounds which has red-brown colour with absorbance wave length at 455nm for the system of ammonia solution-hydrogen peroxide-molybdenum (VI) using a completely newly developed microphotometer based on the ON-Line measurement. Variation of responses expressed in millivolt. A correlation coefficient of 0.9925 for the range of 2.5-150 μg.ml-1 with percentage linearity of 98.50%. A detection limit of 0.25 μg.ml-1 was obtained. All physical and chemical variable were optimized interferences of cation and anion were studied classical method of measurement were done and compared well …

Study Of Temperature Effect On The Hardness For Epoxy Resin And Unsaturated Polyester, Awatif Adab Mohammed, Sinaa Ibrahim Hussein, Inaam Hussein Ali

Baghdad Science Journal

This search aim to measure Hardness for Epoxy resin and for unsaturated Polyester resin as base materials for composite Hybrid and the materials used is Hybrid fiber Carbon-Kevlar. The Hand Lay-up method was used to manufacture plates of Epoxy resin (EP) and unsaturated Polyester EP,UPE backed by Hybrid fiber (Carbon-Kevlar) and with small volume fraction 5,10 and 15 for every there are Layer of fibers (1,2 and 3). The hardness test was count for material EP, UPE resin and there composites and that we notice that the Hardness (HB) decreased with increase of temperatures.

Preparation And Evaluation Of Polyvinyl Alcohol Derivative As Antimicrobial And Antifungal Agents, Ali.N. Abed, Jawad .K. Al-Kafaji, Ithar.K. Al-Mayaly, M.A El-Azmirly

Baghdad Science Journal

Polyvinal alcohol was Cynoethylated , complex compound with Iodin in presence of Cu++ ions were preparated and their ultra violet (U.V) and infra red( IR) spectra were investigated. The prepared derivative and complexes were evaluated as antibacterial and antifungal agents following the standard dilution method. MIC(minimum inhibitory concentration) for each polymer using ten types of gram + ve and gram - ve bacteria were determinated in addition to three types of fungi. The results obtainded showed that MIC, s were around 0.0011 × 103 molar for different polymetric derivatives tried.

Synthesis Of Novel N-Substituted Dimethylmaleimidyl Esters And Their Applications As Plasticizers For Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Ahlam Marouf Al-Azzawi

Baghdad Science Journal

Three N-(hydroxylphenyl) dimethylmaleimides were directly prepared in good yields (81-86)% from the reaction of dimethylmaleic anhydride with amino phenols. The prepared imides were esterified to the corresponding benzoates, methacrylates and cinnamates via their reaction with different acid chlorides in the presence of triethylamine. The prepared esters were tested as plasticizers for PVC via preparing of thirty six samples of PVC with the prepared esters in certain weight ratio followed by recording their softening points. Comparison the results with the universal plasticizers for PVC (DOP) and (DBP) indicated that the prepared esters in general have high plasticizing efficiency.

Β- Structure Properties Of Zn-Phthalocyanine Organic Semi-Conductor, M.T. Hussein, K.H. Hussein, A.B.Abdul Hussein

Baghdad Science Journal

The x-ray fluorescence (XRF) of Znpc molecule with (flow of Ar) and Znpc molecule with (grow in N2) showed two peaks at (8.5 and 9.5 Kv) referring to orbital transition )Kα-shell & Kβ-shell) respectively. The study of x-ray diffraction (XRD) where it was observed good growth of the crystal structure as a needle by the sublimation technique with a β-phase of (monoclinic structure ) . Using Bragg equation the value of the interdistance of the crystalline plane (d-value) were calculated. We noticed good similarity with like once in the American Standards for Testing Material (ASTM) .Powder Diffraction File (PDF) Program …

Influence Of Laser Irradiation Times On Properties Of Porous Silicon, Sabah M. Ali, Alwan M. Alwan, Oday A. Abass

Baghdad Science Journal

Porous silicon (P-Si) has been produced in this work by photoelectrochemical (PEC) etching process. The irradiation has been achieved using diode laser of (2 W) power and 810 nm wavelength. The influence of various irradiation times on the properties of P-Si material such as P-Si layer thickness, surface aspect, pore diameter and the thickness of walls between pores as well as porosity and etching rate was investigated by depending on the scanning electron micrograph (SEM) technique and gravimetric measurements.

Approximated Methods For Linear Delay Differential Equations Using Weighted Residual Methods, Abdul Khaliqe Ewaid Mizel

Baghdad Science Journal

The main work of this paper is devoted to a new technique of constructing approximated solutions for linear delay differential equations using the basis functions power series functions with the aid of Weighted residual methods (collocations method, Galerkin’s method and least square method).

Heun Method Using To Solve System Of Nonlinear Functional Differential Equations, Shymaa Hussain Salih

Baghdad Science Journal

In this paper Heun method has been used to find numerical solution for first order nonlinear functional differential equation. Moreover, this method has been modified in order to treat system of nonlinear functional differential equations .two numerical examples are given for conciliated the results of this method.

Effect Of Pupal Exposure Of Raisin Moth ,Ephestia Figulilella (Gregson),(Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) To High Temperature On Certain Biological Parameters Of The Adult, M.A. Shawkit, A.A Al Taweel, L.J. Al-Bahadyli, N.S. Deab, N.A. M. Khedher

Baghdad Science Journal

The pupal stage of Ephestia figulilella was exposed to temperature of 40 ,45 and 50 ºC for different period (1,3 and 6 hrs) besides the control which exposed to 28 ºC .The effects of these temperature degrees were determined on some biological aspects of produced adult . Results showed that there is increasing in the percentage of dry dead pupa and malformed adults as the temperature and duration of exposure to it increased . Furthermore ,the mean number of eggs / female and the age percent of egg hatch for the following mating : ( exposed female × normal male …

Effect Of Gamma Radiation On Sterility, Sexual Competitiveness And Mating Ability Of Carob Moth Ephestia Calidella (Guen.)Irradiated As Pupae, T. R. Ahmad, B. Sh. Hamad, G. S. Barkhi

Baghdad Science Journal

When mature pupae (2 days before eclosion) of Ephestia calidella (Guen.) were irradiated with the doses of 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 Gy, the males had a high level of sterility which was 92% at 300 Gy, but it was not significantly different from those treated with 200 and 400 Gy respectively. Furthermore,a high level of sterility (100%) was obtained for female pupae treated with 400 Gy. Meanwhile, when both males and females irradiated as pupae (2 days before eclosion) with 200, 300 and 400 Gy showed a high level of sterility which was 94.4, 98.2 and 99.6%, respectively. …

Spectral Study To Determine Type Of Oil Products And The Mixing Rates Between Them, Assmat. R. Al-Hadeethi, Hamid. S. Al-Jumaili, M. M. Sirhan

Baghdad Science Journal

In this paper we have measured the spectral absorption for some oil products and there mixtures within range (300-700nm). These products are (gas oil, kerosene, gasoline). The mixing ration includes the values (0:10,2:10,4:10,6:10,8:10,10:10). From the absorption spectrum with wave length we can determine the location and value of absorption peaks. Then we compare between mixed and unmixed Iraqi oil products. We were able also to determine the quantity mixture from the location and absorption values. We found that there are interactions between some materials produce another type with different properties subsequently it will give negative result when it used in …