Digital Commons Network^™

On Motion Parameterizations In Image Sequences From Fixed Viewpoints, Manfred Georg

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

This dissertation addresses the problem of parameterizing object motion within a set of images taken with a stationary camera. We develop data-driven methods across all image scales: characterizing motion observed at the scale of individual pixels, along extended structures such as roads, and whole image deformations such as lungs deforming over time. The primary contributions include: a) fundamental studies of the relationship between spatio-temporal image derivatives accumulated at a pixel, and the object motions at that pixel,: b) data driven approaches to parameterize breath motion and reconstruct lung CT data volumes, and: c) defining and offering initial results for a …

Electrospray Methodologies For Characterization And Deposition Of Nanoparticles, Luis Balam Modesto Lopez

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Electrospray is an aerosolization method that generates highly charged droplets from solutions or suspensions and, after a series of solvent evaporation - droplet fission cycles, it results in particles carrying multiple charges. Highly charged particles are used in a variety of applications, including particle characterization, thin film deposition, nanopatterning, and inhalation studies among several others. In this work, a soft X-ray photoionization was coupled with an electrospray to obtain monodisperse, singly charged nanoparticles for applications in online size characterization with electrical mobility analysis. Photoionization with the soft X-ray charger enhanced the diffusion neutralization rate of the highly charged bacteriophages, proteins, …

Biologically Inspired Sensing And Mimo Radar Array Processing, Murat Akcakaya

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

The contributions of this dissertation are in the fields of biologically inspired sensing and multi-input multi-output: MIMO) radar array processing. In our research on biologically inspired sensing, we focus on the mechanically coupled ears of the female Ormia ochracea. Despite the small distance between its ears, the Ormia has a remarkable localization ability. We statistically analyze the localization accuracy of the Ormia's coupled ears, and illustrate the improvement in the localization performance due to the mechanical coupling. Inspired by the Ormia's ears, we analytically design coupled small-sized antenna arrays with high localization accuracy and radiation performance. Such arrays are essential …

The Effect Of Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (Ecae) And Boron Additions On The Mechanical Properties Of A Biomedical Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta (Tnzt) Alloy, Gian Colombo

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

New metastable-beta type titanium alloys based on the biocompatible elements Ti-Nb-Zr-Ta: TNZT) have been developed to address the shortcomings: e.g. incomplete biocompatibility, high modulus, etc.) of the traditionally used materials in joint replacement prostheses. Equal channel angular extrusion: ECAE) processing has the capability to improve the mechanical properties of these alloys to broaden their potential biomedical applications. The focus of this investigation is to evaluate and optimize the ECAE process to produce maximum property improvement, and explore the effectiveness of boron as a grain refining agent. Deformation mechanisms are identified for various processing conditions, and the strain distribution induced during …

Modeling And Dynamic Resource Allocation For High Definition And Mobile Video Streams, Abdel-Karim Al-Tamimi

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Video streaming traffic has been surging in the last few years, which has resulted in an increase of its Internet traffic share on a daily basis. The importance of video streaming management has been emphasized with the advent of High Definition: HD) video streaming, as it requires by its nature more network resources. In this dissertation, we provide a better support for managing HD video traffic over both wireless and wired networks through several contributions. We present a simple, general and accurate video source model: Simplified Seasonal ARIMA Model: SAM). SAM is capable of capturing the statistical characteristics of video …

Opium And Insurgency: Development And Decay In Southern Afghanistan, Adam Ebrahim

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

No abstract provided.

Geochemical Conditions Affecting Uranium(Vi) Fate And Transport In Soil And Groundwater In The Presence Of Phosphate, Abhas Singh

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Soil and groundwater contamination with actinides like uranium is a serious environmental concern. Phosphate addition to uranium-contaminated soil and groundwater can potentially provide long-term in-situ U(VI) immobilization by precipitation of low solubility U(VI)-phosphates. Reactions at the iron: oxy)hydroxide-water interface can control macroscopic transport and long-term stability of uranium. First, the interactions among phosphate, U(VI), and goethite: alpha-FeOOH) were investigated in a year-long batch experimental study. Dissolved U(VI) and phosphate concentrations were interpreted within a reaction-based modeling framework. U(VI) uptake mechanism varied with the aqueous composition. For most initially supersaturated conditions, chernikovite, H3O(UO2)(PO4)*3H2O(s), nucleated homogeneously, but heterogeneous nucleation probably occurred in …

An Airloads Theory For Morphing Airfoils In Dynamic Stall With Experimental Correlation, Loren Ahaus

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Helicopter rotor blades frequently encounter dynamic stall during normal flight conditions, limiting the applicability of classical thin-airfoil theory at large angles of attack. Also, it is evident that because of the largely different conditions on the advancing and retreating sides of the rotor, future rotorcraft may incorporate dynamically morphing airfoils: trailing-edge flaps, dynamic camber, dynamic droop, etc.). Reduced-order aerodynamic models are needed for preliminary design and flight simulation. A unified model for predicting the airloads on a morphing airfoil in dynamic stall is presented, consisting of three components. First, a linear airloads theory allows for arbitrary airfoil deformations consistent with …

Dissolution, Formation, And Transformation Of The Lead Corrosion Product Pbo2: Rates And Mechanisms Of Reactions That Control Lead Release In Drinking Water Distribution Systems, Yanjiao Xie

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

As one of the major lead corrosion products in lead service lines, lead(IV) oxide: PbO₂) can react with water through reductive dissolution, resulting in elevated lead concentrations in tap water. Limited data are available on the rates and mechanisms of PbO₂ dissolution. Information regarding the impact of water chemistry on the rates and mechanisms of PbO₂ dissolution can provide potential strategies to control the release of lead from corrosion products to drinking water. The present study investigated effects of water chemistry on the rates and mechanisms of PbO₂ dissolution, the equilibrium solubility of PbO_{2 …}

The Social Psychological Dimensions Of Us-Iranian Relations, Mariah Levison

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

I argue that the material and strategic factors underlying the US-Iranian relationship do not add up to the actual level of conflict between the parties and that a social-psychological analysis can explain why there is so much conflict between the parties. The social-psychological perspective is a different lens than that provided by more traditional approaches to peacebuilding and can address aspects of conflict that material and strategic analyses cannot account for. Social psychology explains the subjective elements of conflict: perception, cognition, attitude, emotion, needs, and values.

Dual-Modality Thermoacoustic And Photoacoustic Imaging, Manojit Pramanik

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Diagnosis of early breast cancer is the key to survival. The combined contrasts from thermoacoustic and photoacoustic tomography: TAT and PAT) can potentially predict early stage breast cancer. We have designed and engineered a breast imaging system integrating both thermoacoustic and photoacoustic imaging techniques to achieve dual-contrast: microwave and light absorption), non-ionizing, low-cost, high-resolution, three-dimensional breast imaging. We have also developed a novel concept of using a negative acoustic lens to increase the acceptance angle of an unfocused large-area ultrasonic transducer: detector), leading to more than twofold improvement of the tangential resolution in both TAT and PAT when the object …

A Numerical Investigation Of Hybrid Flow Control Optimization With Considerations In Optimization, Matthew Lakebrink

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

The fundamental effects of micro-ramp, synthetic-jet, and hybrid flow control devices are studied through the use of numerical simulations. The beneficial flow control effect is then optimized using the response surface methodology. The effectiveness of each device is judged based on how it influences the shape factor of the boundary layer far downstream of the device. The mechanism of flow control action of each device is a pair of streamwise oriented counter rotating vortices; however, the nature of the vortices produced is unique in each case. The micro-ramp reduced the shape factor by 3.31%, the synthetic-jet by 3.32%, and the …

Synthesis And Investigation Of Uv-Cured, Complex Amphiphilic Polymer Films For Use In Anti-Biofouling Applications, Jeremy Bartels

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

The overall emphasis of this dissertation research included the development of novel amphiphilic anti-fouling coatings having complex surface topography and compositional heterogeneity and a fundamental investigation of their properties. These films were cultivated as non-fluorinated or non-fluorinated/non-PEGylated analogs to the hyperbranched fluoropolymer-poly(ethylene glycol): HBFP-PEG) film system. The coating compositions consisted of the mixing and crosslinking of either two disparate polymers or a complex amphiphilic block copolymer with crosslinking agents. A variety of crosslinking methods was analyzed, including vulcanization and UV-promoted thiol-ene reactions. The coatings were analyzed using a variety of advanced methods, including thermomechanical techniques, tensile testing and surface analysis. …

Seeking Alternatives To Marijuana Prohibition, Rachel Kiesel

Honors Program Theses

Marijuana legality is a highly controversial social issue. Although our society continues to be bombarded by negative images of drugs and crime in the media, cultural perceptions regarding marijuana have been changing over the past few years. Today, many people are more accepting of marijuana use than ever before. As a result of these shifting attitudes, several states have taken the initiative to pass new legislation on regulating marijuana with reduced restrictions.

Analysis Of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Characteristics And The Synoptic-Scale Weather Pattern At The Potosi, Wi Slams Monitor, Sean K. Newlin

Honors Program Theses

Boundary layer parameters were analyzed for high impact fine-particulate pollution days for the years 2006 through 2009 in Potosi, Wisconsin. Potosi has seen recent 24-hour PM2.s design values at or near the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Every sampling date in the years 2006 through 2009 with a 24- hour PM2.5 particulate concentration above the year's trend line was studied as were the cleanest 10 days of each year. In particular, composite upper air profiles were constructed using observations from the nearby radiosonde stations, surface and S00mb weather maps were retrieved, the virtual …

International Commercial Transactions, Franchising, And Distribution, Arnold S. Rosenberg, Alfredo L. Rovira, Michael R. Daigle, Florian S. Jörg, Marc Ryser, William P. Johnson, Anders Forkman, Alan S. Gutterman, Ed., Calvin A. Hamilton, Ed.

All Faculty Scholarship

With the encouragement of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other international financial institutions, in 2008-09 several countries modernized their secured transactions laws, expanded the types of moveable property that can serve as collateral for a debt, and established and streamlined registries for non-possessory security interests in moveable property.

Candoluminescence Of Cave Gypsum, John R. Sweet, John W. Hess, William B. White

International Journal of Speleology

A selection of gypsum specimens from a variety of caves as well as CaSO₄ synthesized in the laboratory emit both a green and yellow candoluminescence when excited by a hydrogen diffusion flame. The green emission is attributed to dehydration of gypsum to bassanite and the yellow emission appears upon further dehydration to anhydrite. The source of the luminescence is ascribed to minor concentrations of Mn²⁺ in the gypsum.

A Thesis On Utilizing High Altitude Platforms (Haps) To Provide Wirelss Communications Coverage To Close Coverage Gaps - Case Study: Providing Umts Service To The Non-Radar Coverage Area In The Gulf Of Mexico (Gomex), Amad El-Disi

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

No abstract provided.

Antimicrobial Effect Of Transition Metal Oxide Nanoparticles, Zhipeng Wang

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

No abstract provided.

Woman's Work: Female Lighthouse Keepers In The Early Republic, 1820–1859, Virginia Neal Thomas

History Theses & Dissertations

During the Early Republic between 1820 and 1859, women, on average, comprised about five percent of the principal lighthouse keepers in the United States. These women represent a unique exception to the experience of the majority of working women during the Early Republic. They received equal pay to men, and some supervised lower-paid male assistants. They filled these predominately male positions because lighthouse work had much in common with stereotypical woman's work, they were most often related to the previous keeper, and they fit within cultural ideals of gender roles. Inquiry beyond the romantic image crafted for these light keepers …

Proceedings Of The 122nd Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science [Program, 2010], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

Program Summary --- 2-3
Acknowledgements --- 4
Welcome from our Campus Host --- 5
IAS 2009-2010 Volunteers --- 6
Iowa Junior Academy of Science --- 7
General Session I --- 8
IJAS Award Luncheon --- 9
IAS Annual Business Meeting --- 9
Symposia Presentations --- 10-12
Great Moments in Iowa Science --- 13
Senior Poster Program --- 14-15
President's Banquet --- 16
General Session 11 --- 17
General Session III --- 18
ESTA Award Luncheon --- 19
Saturday Field Trips --- 20
Section Meeting Programs and Oral Presentations (Alphabetical by Section) --- 21-29
Abstracts (by Section) --- 30-59
Author …

Cyber-Apocalypse Now: Securing The Internet Against Cyberterrorism And Using Universal Jurisdiction As A Deterrent, Kelly A. Gable

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Cyberterrorism has become one of the most significant threats to the national and international security of the modern state, and cyberattacks are occurring with increased frequency. The Internet not only makes it easier for terrorists to communicate, organize terrorist cells, share information, plan attacks, and recruit others but also is increasingly being used to commit cyberterrorist acts. It is clear that the international community may only ignore cyberterrorism at its peril.

The primary security threat posed by the Internet is caused by an inherent weakness in the TCP/IP Protocol, which is the technology underlying the structure of the Internet and …

Cultivating Farmers' Rights: Reconciling Food Security, Indigenous Agriculture, And Trips, Lauren Winter

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Note discusses strategies for cultivating Farmers' Rights internationally. The rise of international treaties awarding intellectual property rights in plant genetic resources to plant breeders brought with it an erosion of agricultural biodiversity as well indigenous farmer lifestyles. Farmers' Rights emerged in recognition of the role of traditional farmers play in conserving, creating, and promoting genetic diversity in the food supply and of the importance of maintaining traditional agriculture practices. This Note argues that Farmers' Rights can be realized internationally through concerted effort. The Note proposes that Farmers' Rights could be realized if national governments create laws and infrastructure that …

Promoting Commercial Law Reform In Eastern Europe, Samuel Bufford

Faculty Scholarship

This article is my account of what I did in a decade of advising governments and teaching judicial seminars on commercial law matters in Central and Eastern Europe, beginning in 1991. This article contains my individual reflections on more than a dozen visits to developing countries in Central and Eastern Europe to advise governments and to educate their judges, and several visits of judges from some of those countries to the United States. In many ways, my experiences are typical of United States judges who have done the same kind of work in developing countries. In some ways, my experiences …

Probability, Individualization, And Uniqueness In Forensic Science Evidence: Listening To The Academies, David H. Kaye

Faculty Scholarship

Day in and day out, criminalists testify to positive, uniquely specific identifications of fingerprints, bullets, handwriting, and other trace evidence. A committee of the National Academy of Sciences, building on the writing of academic commentators, has called for sweeping changes in the presentation and production of evidence of identification. These include some form of circumscribed and standardized testimony. But the Academy report is short on the specifics of the testimony that would be legally and professionally allowable. This essay outlines possible types of testimony that might harmonize the testimony of criminalists with the actual state of forensic science. It does …

Reforming Financial Regulation To Address The Too-Big-To-Fail Problem, Arthur E. Wilmarth Jr.

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

The ongoing financial crisis has revealed fundamental weaknesses in the regulatory systems of the United States, the United Kingdom and other European nations. In particular, publicly-funded bailouts of major banks have confirmed that “too big to fail” (TBTF) subsidies distort economic incentives and encourage excessive risk-taking by large, complex financial institutions (LCFIs). Accordingly, the primary goals of regulatory reform must be (i) to eliminate, or at least greatly reduce, TBTF subsidies and (ii) to force LCFIs to internalize the risks and costs of their activities.

After surveying the causes and consequences of the financial crisis, this article proposes five regulatory …

Some Realism About Punishment Naturalism, Donald Braman, Dan M. Kahan, David A. Hoffman

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

In this paper we critique the increasingly prominent claims of punishment naturalism – the notion that highly nuanced intuitions about most forms of crime and punishment are broadly shared, and that this agreement is best explained by a particular form of evolutionary psychology. While the core claims of punishment naturalism are deeply attractive and intuitive, they are contradicted by a broad array of studies and depend on a number of logical missteps. The most obvious shortcoming of punishment naturalism is that it ignores empirical research demonstrating deep disagreements over what constitutes a wrongful act and just how wrongful it should …

Returning Home: Women In Post-Conflict Societies, Naomi R. Cahn, Dina Francesca Haynes, Fionnuala D. Ni Aolain

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

This paper explores the situation of women returning to their homes and communities after their countries have experienced major conflicts. In that context, it assesses the range of barriers and challenges that women face and offers some thinking to addresses and remedy these complex issues. As countries face the transition process, they can begin to measure the conflict’s impact on the population and the civil infrastructure. Not only have people been displaced from their homes, but, typically, health clinics, schools, roads, businesses, and markets have deteriorated substantially. While the focus is on humanitarian aid in the midst of and during …

Remote Sensing And Terramechanics Study Of Mars Using Orbital And Rover Data Sets, Kimberly Lichtenberg

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Orbital observations, rover-based remote-sensing and in-situ observations, and terramechanics modeling can be used collaboratively to examine the interplay between material properties, scientific setting, and mobility issues facing rovers on other worlds. In this thesis, these types of observations are used concurrently to identify the surface properties on a regional scale for the Gusev Crater Spirit landing site, to understand how the rover interacted with these materials while driving, and as a look ahead to a candidate new landing site, Aram Chaos, with exposed materials that contain key evidence for past environmental conditions. Comparison of rover-based and orbital spectral reflectance data …

Integration Of Multi-Sensory Earth Observations For Characterization Of Air Quality Events, Erin Robinson

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

In order to characterize air quality events, such as dust storms or smoke events from fires, a wide variety of Earth observations are needed from satellites, surface monitors and models. Traditionally, the burden of data access and processing was placed on the data user. These challenges of finding, accessing and merging data are overcome through the principles of Service Oriented Architecture. This thesis describes the collaborative, service-oriented approach now available for air quality event analysis, where datasets are turned into services that can be accessed by tools through standard queries. This thesis extends AQ event evidence to include photos, videos …