Digital Commons Network^™

Modeling Pedestrian Behavior In Video, Paul Scovanner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to address the problem of predicting pedestrian movement and behavior in and among crowds. Specifically, we will focus on an agent based approach where pedestrians are treated individually and parameters for an energy model are trained by real world video data. These learned pedestrian models are useful in applications such as tracking, simulation, and artificial intelligence. The applications of this method are explored and experimental results show that our trained pedestrian motion model is beneficial for predicting unseen or lost tracks as well as guiding appearance based tracking algorithms. The method we have developed …

Computationally Efficient Digital Backward Propagation For Fiber Nonlinearity Compensation, Likai Zhu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The next generation fiber transmission system is limited by fiber nonlinearity. A distributed nonlinearity compensation method, known as Digital Backward Propagation (DBP), is necessary for effective compensation of the joint effect of dispersion and nonlinearity. However, in order for DBP to be accurate, a large number of steps are usually required for long-haul transmission, resulting in a heavy computational load. In real time DBP implementation, the FIR filters can be used for dispersion compensation and account for most of the computation per step. A method of designing a complementary filter pair is proposed. The individual errors in the frequency response …

Design And Optimization Of A Wave Energy Harvester Utilizing A Flywheel Energy Storage System, Steven Alexander Helkin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis details the design and optimization of a buoy used to collect renewable energy from ocean waves. The proposed buoy is a point absorber—a device that transforms the kinetic energy of the vertical motion of surface waves into electrical energy. The focus of the research is on the mechanical system used to collect the energy, and methods to improve it for eventual use in an actual wave energy harvester. A flywheel energy storage system was utilized in order to provide an improved power output from the system, even with the intermittent input of force exerted by ocean waves. A …

Computational Study Of The Near Field Spontaneous Creation Of Photonic States Coupled To Few Level Systems, Sergio Tafur

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Models of the spontaneous emission and absorption of photons coupled to the electronic states of quantum dots, molecules, N-V (single nitrogen vacancy) centers in diamond, that can be modeled as artificial few level atoms, are important to the development of quantum computers and quantum networks. A quantum source modeled after an effective few level system is strongly dependent on the type and coupling strength the allowed transitions. These selection rules are subject to the Wigner-Eckert theorem which specifies the possible transitions during the spontaneous creation of a photonic state and its subsequent emission. The model presented in this dissertation describes …

Evaluation And Modeling Of The Safety Of Open Road Tolling System, Muamer Ali Abuzwidah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this thesis is to examine the traffic safety impact of upgrading Toll Plazas (TP) to Open Road Tolling (ORT). The ORT could enhance safety but could also pose some traffic safety concerns at Toll plazas. Crashes from eight years were investigated by evaluating the crash data before and after the implementation of the ORT. The study was conducted by using two approaches: 1) a simple before and after study and with a comparison group; 2) a modeling effort to help understand the relationship between the crash frequency and several important factors and circumstances such as injury severity, …

Homologous Pairing Through Dna Driven Harmonics-- A Simulation Investigation, Richard J. Calloway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research is to determine if a better understanding of the “molecule of life”, deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA can be obtained through Molecular Dynamics (MD) modeling and simulation (M&S) using contemporary MD M&S. It is difficult to overstate the significance of the DNA molecule. The now-completed Human Genome Project stands out as the most significant testimony yet to the importance of understanding DNA. The Human Genome Project (HGP) enumerated many areas of application of genomic research including molecular medicine, energy sources, environmental applications, agriculture and livestock breeding to name just a few. (Science, 2008) In addition to …

The Impact Of Continuing Education Modules On The Moral Obligations And Responsibilities Of Financial Advisors, Sandy Modell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increased life expectancies and a significant reduction in the number of corporate pension plans nationwide have made the prospects of retirement a challenge for many of us. The burden of funding retirement will move from the corporation or government to the individual. Those individuals with limited financial experience will most likely need the guidance of a financial advisor. Can we trust and rely upon them? Following the 2004 late trading scandal and the 2008 financial meltdown, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") implemented Continuing Education requirements at the advisor level. The intent was to improve the quality and integrity of …

Florida Superintendents' Views Related To The Involuntary Removal Of School Principals, Christopher S. Bernier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to determine how external influences designed to improve student achievement and school performance such as No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, The Florida A+ Program, and the Differentiated Accountability model impacted Florida school superintendents’ prioritization of the Florida Principal Leadership Standards. In the study, major questions addressed concerned (a) the demographic characteristics of the school principals and superintendents involved in the removal of a school principal within the state of Florida; (b) the relationship between the problems a principal encountered and the Florida Principal Leadership Standards; (c) the Florida Principal Leadership Standards that were most often …

Ecn 5480 : Advanced Industrial Organization, Economics

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

The Use Of Virtual Environments In Teacher Preparation, Sharon Judge, Petros Katsioloudis, Theo Bastiaens (Ed.), Martin Ebner (Ed.)

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

While virtual technology for training in the simulation field has had a long history in medicine and the military, the application of emerging and innovative technologies in teacher preparation and education has been limited. TeachME™ (Teaching in a Mixed Reality Environment) is an innovative mixed-reality environment (the blending of real and synthetic content) where prospective teachers can interact with a group of virtual students. The purpose of the virtual teaching environment of TeachME™ is to positively impact teacher recruitment, preparation, and retention in education by allowing teachers to improve their skills with virtual students, providing a more ethical approach to …

Fossil And Contemporary Aerosol Particulate Organic Carbon In The Eastern United States: Implications For Deposition And Inputs To Watersheds, Andrew S. Wozniak, James E. Bauer, Rebecca M. Dickhut

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Atmospheric particulate matter samples were collected from mid-Atlantic and northeastern U. S. (Virginia and New York, respectively) sites to assess the fossil versus contemporary sources contributing to aerosol organic carbon (OC) and the implications for its deposition to watersheds. Mean particulate matter total OC (TOC) deposition rates (wet + dry deposition) were calculated to be 1.6 and 2.4 mg C m^-2 d^-1 for the Virginia and New York sites, respectively. Wet deposition of particulate TOC was determined to be the dominant depositional mode, accounting for >65% (Virginia) and >80% (New York) of total aerosol TOC deposition. Isotopic mass …

A Mini-Electrodialysis System For Desalting Small Volume Saline Samples For Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry, Hongmei Chen, Aron Stubbins, Patrick G. Hatcher

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

An affordable, commercially available mini-electrodialysis (mini-ED) system has been evaluated for the efficient desalting of small volume samples of seawater before analysis by electrospray Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI FT-ICR MS). Mini-ED FT-ICR mass spectra were compared with spectra for samples that were treated by C₁₈ solid phase extraction, a commonly used method for rapid sample preparation for this type of analysis. In this comparison, it is clear that mini-ED provides more representative molecular information, compared with C₁₈ isolation, and recovers the overwhelming majority of peaks from salt-free samples, indicating that it adequately represents the …

Fourier Transform Emission Spectroscopy Of Yh And Yd: Observation Of New A¹Δ And B¹Π Electronic States, R. S. Ram, G. Li, P. F. Bernath

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The emission spectra of YH and YD molecules have been investigated in the 3600–12 000 cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer. Molecules were formed in an yttrium hollow cathode lamp operated with a continuous flow of a mixture of Ne and Ar gases, and YH and YD were observed together in the same spectra. A group of bands observed near 1 μm have been identified as 0-0 and 1-1 bands of the A¹Δ-X¹Σ⁺ and B¹Π-X¹Σ⁺ transitions of YH and the 0-0 bands of the same two transitions …

Ace-Fts Measurements Of Trace Species In The Characterization Of Biomass Burning Plumes, K. A. Tereszchuk, G. González Abad, C. Clerbaux, D. Hurtmans, P.-F. Coheur, P. F. Bernath

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

To further our understanding of the effects of biomass burning emissions on atmospheric composition, we report measurements of trace species in biomass burning plumes made by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) instrument on the SCISAT-1 satellite. An extensive set of 15 molecules, C₂H₂, C₂H₆, CH₃OH, CH₄, CO, H₂CO, HCN, HCOOH, HNO₃, NO, NO₂, N₂O₅, O-3, OCS and SF₆ are used in our analysis. Even though most biomass burning smoke is typically confined to the …

Patenting Genes And Genetic Methods: What's At Stake?, Eileen M. Kane

Journal of Business & Technology Law

No abstract provided.

A Review Of Curricular Approaches And Quality Of Life Indicators In The United States For Individuals Displaing Profound Multiple Disabilities, Jonna L. Bobzien

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

During the last two decades in the United States, there has been an increase in research studies on two salient areas of interests impacting individuals with profound multiple disabilities (PMD): providing access to appropriate educational curriculums and enhancing overall quality of life. Despite this interest, attempts to link positive quality of life indicators and appropriate educational curriculum for students with PMD have not been explored. The purpose of this literature review is to identify articles related to curriculum issues, as well as those addressing the importance of skill acquisition activities that lead to an improved quality of life. Implications for …

Water Quality Retrieval From Landsat Tm Imagery, Arun D. Kulkarni

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this paper, the utility of Landsat TM imagery for water quality studies in East Texas is investigated. Remote sensing has an important and effective role in water quality management. Remote sensing satellites measure the amount of solar radiation reflected by surface water and the reflectance of water depend upon the concentration and character of water quality parameters. Three water quality parameters namely the total suspended solids, chlorophyll-a, and turbidity are estimated in this study. In situ water quality parameter measurements from seven ground stations and the corresponding Landsat TM data were used to estimate the water quality parameters. Regression …

Dsm Vector Spaces Of Refined Labels, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

The study of DSm linear algebra of refined labels have been done by Florentin Smarandache, Jean Dezert, and Xinde Li.

In this book the authors introduce the notion of DSm vector spaces of refined labels. The reader is requested to refer the paper as the basic concepts are taken from that paper [35]. This book has six chapters. The first one is introductory in nature just giving only the needed concepts to make this book a self contained one. Chapter two introduces the notion of refined plane of labels, the three dimensional space of refined labels DSm vector spaces. Clearly …

Weighted Scores Method For Regression Models With Dependent Data, Aristidis K. Nikoloulopoulos, Harry Joe, N. Rao Chaganty

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

There are copula-based statistical models in the literature for regression with dependent data such as clustered and longitudinal overdispersed counts, for which parameter estimation and inference are straightforward. For situations where the main interest is in the regression and other univariate parameters and not the dependence, we propose a "weighted scores method", which is based on weighting score functions of the univariate margins. The weight matrices are obtained initially fitting a discretized multivariate normal distribution, which admits a wide range of dependence. The general methodology is applied to negative binomial regression models. Asymptotic and small-sample efficiency calculations show that our …

Mesoscopic Methods In Engineering And Science, Chuguang Zheng, Jiding Lu, Zhaoli Guo, Li-Shi Luo, Manfred Krafczyk

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Matter, conceptually classified into fluids and solids, can be completely described by the microscopic physics of its constituent atoms or molecules. However, for most engineering applications a macroscopic or continuum description has usually been sufficient, because of the large disparity between the spatial and temporal scales relevant to these applications and the scales of the underlying molecular dynamics. In this case, the microscopic physics merely determines material properties such as the viscosity of a fluid or the elastic constants of a solid. These material properties cannot be derived within the macroscopic framework, but the qualitative nature of the macroscopic dynamics …

Putting The X In Biology: A Review Of The Mathematics Of Life, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

(First Paragraph) Charles Darwin's 1859 work On the Origin of the Species contained no equations. But that does not mean mathematics has no role to play in the science of life; in fact, the field of biomathematics is burgeoning and has been for several decades. Ian Stewart's new book does an admirable job of unfolding the mathematics undergirding so much of the research being carried out today in the many fields that comprise the subject of biology. Stewart sets the context by noting five great revolutions that have changed the way scientists think about life. These five revolutions are: (i) …

Morphological, Chemical, And Molecular Analyses Of Turkish Papaver Accessions (Sect. Oxytona), İskender Parmaksiz, Sebahatti̇n Özcan

Turkish Journal of Botany

The species of the section Oxytona Bernh., classified under the genus Papaver L., are of great importance due to their medical alkaloid contents such as morphine, codeine, and thebaine. A clearly established classification system is not available for Oxytona species. The aim of this study was to find relationships among 53 accessions belonging to 3 important Oxytona species, i.e. Papaver bracteatum Lindl., P. orientale L., and P. pseudo-orientale (Fedde) Medw., using 19 different morphological characters, 1 chemical character, and 15 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Nineteen characters, including bract and sepal leaves, petal marks, and capsule shape and size …

Value Added By Mixed Methods Research: A Multiphase Mixed Methods Design, Courtney Haines

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The overall purpose of this study was to examine the perceived value of mixed methods research for graduate students at a Midwestern university. A multiphase mixed methods design was used to measure graduate students perceptions of the value of a study’s methodology. The study consisted of three phases. Phase I was conducted in order to construct passages and the goal of Phase II was to create a survey. These two phases were then combined to create Phase III. Part one of Phase III was an experiment that looked at the effect of a study’s methodology on the value of the …

River Otter (Lontra Canadensis) Use Of Phragmites Australis And Density Estimation Using Genetic Techniques, Amy R. Williams

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

River otters were extirpated in Nebraska in the early 1900’s. In 1986 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission began reintroducing otters. In support of developing an otter management plan, I conducted research on two aspects of otter ecology in Nebraska. First, I examined otter use of habitats dominated by the non–native aquatic plant, Phragmites australis, in the Big Bend reach of the Platte River. Sixteen otters were trapped, radio–tagged, and tracked between 2006 and 2009. I identified 517 den/resting locations, 127 of which were unique locations. I compared den/resting site habitat use to availability to determine if otters were using …

On The Betti Number Of Differential Modules, Justin Devries

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Let R = k[x₁, ..., x_n] with k a field. A multi-graded differential R-module is a multi-graded R-module D with an endomorphism d such that d² = 0. This dissertation establishes a lower bound on the rank of such a differential module when the underlying R-module is free. We define the Betti number of a differential module and use it to show that when the homology ker d/im d of D is non-zero and finite dimensional over k then there is an inequality rank_R D ≥ 2ⁿ. This …

Improved Verification And Analysis Of National Weather Service Point Forecast Matrices, Paul Fajman

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Verification is the process of determining the quality of forecast information. Office and personal forecast verifications are significantly lacking throughout the National Weather Service for many reasons. The primary reasons are that verification is time consuming, tedious, and monotonous. This research attempted to ease that process by creating new computer procedures to automate the verification process. The new procedures were tested using two years of forecasting data from November 2007 to November 2009 from the Omaha/Valley Weather Forecasting Office to serve as a framework for future verifications. Point Forecast Matrices (PFM) produced by the National Weather Service twice daily and …

I, An Improved Procedure For Alkene Ozonolysis. Ii, Exploring A New Structural Paradigm For Peroxide Antimalarials., Charles Edward Schiaffo

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The use of ozone for the transformation of alkenes to carbonyls has been well established. The reaction of ozone with alkenes in this fashion generates either a 1,2,4-trioxolane (ozonide) or a hydroperoxyacetal, either of which must undergo a separate reduction step to provide the desired carbonyl compound. There is considerable interest in being able to perform a reductive ozonolysis to directly provide the carbonyl. Previous reports from the Dussault lab have shown that amine N-oxides are able to perform a reductive ozonolysis. In the course of efforts to expand this reaction to other oxyanions it was realized that water was …

Fabrication And Catalytic Property Of Cerium Oxide Nanomaterials, Keren Jiang

Department of Chemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Cerium oxide, or ceria (CeO_x: x = 1.5 to 2), has been widely used as a heterogeneous catalyst. Ceria has several properties make it high catalytic active: the fluctuating valence of cerium, the high oxygen storage capacity and high oxygen mobility in the nonstoichiometric ceria. With the high abundance of cerium on earth crust, ceria is a highly effective alternative of the noble metal catalysts. Research has been focused on designing nanostructured ceria and ceria related materials in recent years. The catalytic activity of ceria can be enhanced by the nanoscale effect which can be applied for various …

Marketing Innovation And Firm Performance Research Model, Research Hypotheses, And Managerial Implications, Robert P. Cascio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research conceptualizes and develops a scale for the marketing innovation construct for the purpose of furthering research in marketing strategy. This marketing innovation construct and its associated strategic activities are clearly distinguished from product and process innovation, better enabling researchers and practitioners to identify new and updated paths from innovation to firm performance. Marketing innovation is defined as the degree of novelty in the implementation of three core business processes: (1) product development management, (2) supply chain management, and (3) customer relationship management, as identified in the Srivastava, Shervani & Fahey (1999) framework. Results from qualitative interviews indicate marketing …

Higher Education Professional Pilot Faculty Qualifications: Are The Stakes Rising?, David C. Ison

Applied Aerospace Science

"Within the aviation research literature there have been numerous studies that have either included or focused upon the attributes of associated faculty. Although such studies provide compelling data about these individuals, trends or changes in requirements for faculty are not easily identified within the findings. Of particular concern is the fact that credentialization, the escalation of required educational attainment and certification, has been permeating throughout higher education in the United States. It is of interest to see if such pressures are also infiltrating the collegiate aviation environment. Further, data about trends can help future faculty prepare for possible employment, it …