Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Analysis Of Intangible Factors In Waste Minimization Projects, Halvard E. Nystrom, William Ralph Kehr

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Continual population growth and rising standards of living that accelerate the consumption of limited resources, are forcing society to encourage conservation of these resources. These resources not only include raw material, but also the areas to dispose of the wastes. As a result, communities are driving industries towards waste minimization by limiting waste generation and landfill availability. Firms'' environmentally friendly strategies can gain competitive advantage by leading in environmental practices. This advantage emanates from the reduction of risk of environmental regulatory overreaction, as well as improved asset utilization and landfill utilization. However, these intangible benefits are difficult to identify and …

Strategy Planning For Technological Discontinuities In A Changing Regulatory Environment, William Ralph Kehr, Halvard E. Nystrom

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper describes an approach to the analysis of publicly available financial data for individual industries. These methods enable the analyst to assess past practices and the historical rate of technological diffusion during the transition period of discontinuous technological change. This assessment can provide a basis of comparison for current changes in their industry. These methods are applied to small rural telephone companies during the period of 1960 to 1996. Annual data is presented detailing the change from aerial distribution cable to buried cable by the roughly 600 rural telephone companies financed through loans from the Rural Utilities Services, a …

Bayesian Reconstruction Of 3d Human Motion From Single-Camera Video, Nicholas Howe, Michael E. Leventon, William T. Freeman

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

The three-dimensional motion of humans is underdetermined when the observation is limited to a single camera, due to the inherent 3D ambiguity of 2D video. We present a system that reconstructs the 3D motion of human subjects from single-camera video, relying on prior knowledge about human motion, learned from training data, to resolve those ambiguities. After initialization in 2D, the tracking and 3D reconstruction is automatic; we show results for several video sequences. The results show the power of treating 3D body tracking as an inference problem.

Using Artificial Queries To Evaluate Image Retrieval, Nicholas Howe

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

This paper addresses the evaluation and comparison of algorithms for generalized image retrieval. The forms of evaluation currently in vogue are not calibrated with each other and thus do not allow the comparison of results reported by different research groups. We address the problem by proposing a class of tests that are algorithmically defined and relatively independent of the image test set. The proposed tests can be tailored to investigate retrieval performance under specific sets of adverse conditions, allowing additional insight into the strengths and weaknesses of different retrieval mechanisms.

Integrating Color, Texture, And Geometry For Image Retrieval, Nicholas Howe, Daniel P. Huttenlocher

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

This paper examines the problem of image retrieval from large, heterogeneous image databases. We present a technique that fulfills several needs identified by surveying recent research in the field. This technique fairly integrates a diverse and expandable set of image properties (for example, color, texture, and location) in a retrieval framework, and allows end-users substantial control over their use. We propose a novel set of evaluation methods in addition to applying established tests for image retrieval; our technique proves competitive with state-of-the-art methods in these tests and does better on certain tasks. Furthermore, it improves on many standard image retrieval …

Data As Ensembles Of Records: Representation And Comparison, Nicholas Howe

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

Many collections of data do not come packaged in a form amenable to the ready application of machine learning techniques. Nevertheless, there has been only limited research on the problem of preparing raw data for learning, perhaps because widespread differences between domains make generalization difficult. This paper focuses on one common class of raw data, in which the entities of interest actually comprise collections of (smaller pieces of) homologous data. We present a technique for processing such collections into high-dimensional vectors, suitable for the application of many learning algorithms including clustering, nearestneighbors, and boosting. We demonstrate the abilities of the …

Morphology And Photocatalysis Of Titanium Dioxide Aerogels, Sean Kelly

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Pollution of our environment has become one of the most serious problems of this century. Titanium dioxide aerogels is composed of nanocrystallites of TiO2 close-packed in roughly spherical mesospheres, which are agglomerated to form a highly-porous sponge. Aerogel morphology produces porosities of around 80% and surface area that can be as large as 1000 m2/g. The aerogels efficiently adsorb organic materials from the environment and when illuminated with UV light, decompose or oxidize the organic pollutants, ultimately to safe by-products such as CO2 and H 2O.

In this work we modify the synthetic conditions to produce aerogels with different morphologies …

Life And Evolution In Computers, Melanie Mitchell

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper argues for the possibility of 'artificial life' and computational evolution, first by discussing (via a highly simplified version) John von Neumann's self-reproducing automaton and then by presenting some recent work focusing on computational evolution, in which 'cellular automata', a form of parallel and decentralized computing system, are evolved via 'genetic algorithms'. It is argued that such in silico experiments can help to make sense of the question of whether we can eventually build computers that are intelligent and alive.

Information Technology In The Health Care Industry: A Primer, P. Southard, S. J. Hong, Keng Siau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The paper discusses current and future applications of information technology within the healthcareindustry. It presents some broad strategies for approaching information technology investments and various tools available.

E-Commerce Systems Development Methodologies, M. Rossi, Keng Siau, S. Purao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Methodologies. This is the first time we organize this new minitrack on electronic commerce systems development. The flexibility, scalability, user-friendliness, privacy, security, intuitiveness, and other important characteristics of electronic commerce systems make the systems development process of such systems very multifaceted and complex. Today, most electronic commerce systems are built based on intuition and rule of thumbs.Many practitioners have the misconception that there is no need for a systematic modeling and design technique for these systems. The lack of appropriate methods and methodologies to support electronic commerce systems development is another stumbling block. Most of the widely used methods are …

An Integrated Data Mining System To Automate Discovery, Cecil Chua, Roger Hsiang-Li Chiang, Ee Peng Lim

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Many data analysts require tools which can integrate their database management packages (e.g. Microsoft Access) with their data analysis ones (e.g. SAS, SPSS), and provide guidance for the selection of appropriate mining algorithms. In addition, the analysts need to extract and validate statistical results to facilitate data mining. In this paper, we describe an integrated data mining system called the Linear Correlation Discovery System (LCDS) that meets the above requirement. LCDS consists of four major sub-components, two of which, the selection assistant and the statistics coupler, are discussed in this paper. The former examines the schema and instances to determine …

The Integration Of Relationship Instances From Heterogeneous Databases, Ee Peng Lim, Roger Hsiang-Li Chiang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In the process of integrating legacy databases, one has to resolve inter-database conflicts at both the schema and instance levels. In this paper, we discuss relationship conflicts as a special type of conflicts to be resolved during the database integration. Relationships are properties that relate real world objects. So far, most inter-database relationship conflicts are addressed at the schema-level by various schema integration techniques. However, instance-level relationship conflicts are largely neglected. This paper therefore investigates the causes of instance-level relationship conflicts and proposes a taxonomy for classifying instance-level relationship conflicts. In addition, we develop a systematic process to resolve instance-level …

Multicast Services For Multimedia Collaborative Applications, Emad Eldin Mohamed Mohamed

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

This work aims at providing multicast services for multimedia collaborative applications over large inter-networks such as the Internet. Multimedia collaborative applications are typically of small group size, slow group membership dynamics, and awareness of participants' identities and locations. Moreover, they usually consist of several components such as audio, video, shared whiteboard, and single user application sharing engines that collectively help make the collaboration session successful. Each of these components has its demands from the communication layer that may differ from one component to another. This dissertation identifies the overall characteristics of multimedia collaborative applications and their individual components. It also …

Extending Traditional Static Analysis Techniques To Support Development, Testing And Maintenance Of Component-Based Solutions, Robert David Cherinka

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Traditional static code analysis encompasses a mature set of techniques for helping understand and optimize programs, such as dead code elimination, program slicing, and partial evaluation (code specialization). It is well understood that compared to other program analysis techniques (e.g., dynamic analysis), static analysis techniques do a reasonable job for the cost associated with implementing them. Industry and government are moving away from more ‘traditional’ development approaches towards component-based approaches as ‘the norm.’ Component-based applications most often comprise a collection of distributed object-oriented components such as forms, code snippets, reports, modules, databases, objects, containers, and the like. These components are …

Experimental Investigation Of Long-Lived "Zeke" Rydberg States In Ultracold Argon, Gambhir Ranjit

Physics Theses & Dissertations

There is considerable interest in the dynamics of ultracold plasmas and ultracold Rydberg gases. Ultracold plasmas are typically formed by photo-excitation of ultracold atoms to an energy region near (both above and below) an ionization threshold. Excitation to bound, highly-excited Rydberg states can lead to formation of a plasma via several processes, including collisions between Rydberg atoms. Three-body recombination in an ultracold plasma can also result in the production of ultracold Rydberg atoms. Understanding the dynamics of ultracold Rydberg gases is therefore important for understanding the dynamics of ultracold plasmas. In this dissertation, we have investigated the formation and survival …

Vaccination In A Model Of An Epidemic, M. S. Abual-Rub

All Works

Vaccination has been included in a model which describes an epidemic. A traveling wave solution together with an equilibrium and stability analysis have been done to the model.

Collected Papers Vol. Iii, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Algebra În Exercijii Şi Probleme Pentru Liceu, Florentin Smarandache, Ion Goian, Raisa Grigor, Vasila Marin

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Definitions, Solved And Unsolved Problems, Conjectures, And Theorems In Number Theory And Geometry, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

Florentin Smarandache, an American mathematician of Romanian descent has generated a vast variety of mathematical problems. Some problems are easy, others medium, but many are interesting or unsolved and this is the reason why the present book appears. Here, of course, there are problems from various types. Solving these problems is addictive like eating pumpkin seed: having once started, one cannot help doing it over and over again.

Photodecomposition Of Crystal Violet Dye In Water Solution And Suspensions Of Metal Oxides, Tatiana Yurievna Zakharian

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Photodecomposition and photodecolorization of crystal violet dye were studied in water solution, hydrogen peroxide solution and suspensions of metal oxides. Spectroscopic evidence for the formation of methylated pararosanilines and demethylated derivatives of Michler's ketone as the reaction intermediates was obtained for the photodecomposition of crystal violet in water solution. The mechanism of formation of the intermediates was discussed in terms of charges of individual atoms calculated using Spartan software.

Photooxidation of crystal violet was shown to occur faster in hydrogen peroxide solution due to the higher oxidation potential of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. A mechanism similar to photooxidation in …

The Incident Dispatching And Tracking System, Thomas J. Braden

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Incident Dispatching and Tracking System (IDTS) was developed to facilitate the technical support of an organization. IDTS provides a means by which a user may submit their issue/problem to the system and receive a unique trouble ticket number. This number can then be used to view the status of that record, minimizing the need for inquiries to the technical support team. IDTS also provides a dispatching function that assigns each trouble ticket to a technician that specializes in that type of issue. Finally, there is a reporting function that allows the technical support team to view the current technical …

The Effects Of Computer Animations On Secondary Students’ Understanding Of The Crushing Can Chemical Demonstration, Resa Marie Kelly

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Understanding chemistry requires the ability to think at three different levels: submicrochemistry, macrochemistry, and representational chemistry. Students often have difficulty making connections among these three areas due to the abstract nature of many chemistry concepts. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how computer animations affected secondary students' understanding of the Crushing Can Demonstration. This investigation compared two groups of chemistry students at a large, suburban high school. The treatment group viewed the animation after seeing and discussing the crushing can demonstration, while the control group received the same instruction as the treatment group but did not see the …

An Investigation Of Student Understanding Of Light In Geometrical Optics: Relating Formalism To Conceptual Understanding Of The Physical Phenomena, Ekaterina Denissova

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This paper reports on a study of student understanding of the nature and properties of light prior to instruction and by the completion of a unit on geometrical optics in a General Physics II course at University of Northern Iowa. The emphasis of this study was placed on the ability to make connections between the formalism of physics and real world phenomena. The ability to apply appropriate concepts and principles from geometrical optics, including the drawing of ray diagrams, to predict and explain image formation and light behavior was chosen as the operational criterion to assess students' conceptual understanding. The …

An Evaluation Of Two Different Data Modeling Techniques For Data Warehousing, Litao Fu

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The database community is devoting increasing attention to the research themes concerning data warehouses. After having invested a lot of time and resources to build huge and complex information systems, managers ask for support in obtaining quickly summary information to help in planning and decision making. Data warehousing systems address this issue by enabling managers to acquire and integrate information from different sources and to query efficiently very large databases. Building a data warehouse requires adopting design and implementation techniques completely different from those underlying information. Multidimensional data structures used for decision support applications in data warehouses have rather different …

An Extension Of Zermelo's Model For Ranking By Paired Comparisons, Christopher P. Grant, Gregory R. Conner

Faculty Publications

In 1929, Zermelo proposed a probabilistic model for ranking by paired comparisons and showed that this model produces a unique ranking of the objects under consideration when the outcome matrix is irreducible. When the matrix is reducible, the model may yield only a partial ordering of the objects. In this paper, we analyse a natural extension of Zermelo's model resulting from a singular perturbation. We show that this extension produces a ranking for arbitrary (nonnegative) outcome matrices and retains several of the desirable properties of the original model. In addition, we discuss computational techniques and provide examples of their use.

A Mathematical Model For Spatially Varying Extracellular Matrix, J. C. Dallon, J. A. Sherratt

Faculty Publications

Orientation of extracellular matrix fibers in the skin is a key ingredient of tissue appearance and function, and differences in fiber alignment are one of the main distinctions between scar tissue and normal skin. In this paper, the authors develop a mathematical model for alignment of collagen fibers and the fibroblast cells that remodel them; the model extends previous work in which spatial variation was excluded. Numerical simulations of the model are presented, which show spatial variations in alignment over long transients, but with spatially uniform behavior in the long term. This is investigated further via asymptotic analysis, using the …

Estimating Tessellation Parameter Intervals For Rational Curves And Surfaces, Thomas W. Sederberg, Jianmin Zheng

Faculty Publications

This paper presents a method for determining a priori a constant parameter interval with which a rational curve or surface can be tessellated such that the deviation of the curve or surface from its piecewise linear approximation is within a specified tolerance. The parameter interval is estimated based on information about the second order derivatives in the homogeneous coordinates, instead of using affine coordinates directly. This new step size can be found with roughly the same amount of computation as the step size presented in [Cheng 1992], though it can be proven to always be larger than Cheng's step size. …

The Recent High State Of The Bl Lacertae Object Ao 0235 And Cross-Correlations Between Optical And Radio Bands, M. Roy, I. E. Papadikis, E. Ramos-Colon, R. Sambruna, K. Tsinganos, J. Papamastorkis, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We present new optical (B, V , R, I) and radio (at 14.5, 8.5, and 4.8 GHz) observations of the γ-ray- loud blazar AO 0235+164 obtained during the high state of 1997 December-1998 January. The data were combined with historical light curves from the literature to study correlated optical and radio variations over a time span of more than 20 years. Flux variability with large and energy-dependent amplitude is observed at both wave bands, with the source varying over all timescales sampled (years-months- days), in agreement with previous reports. We have performed a cross-correlation analysis of optical and radio light …

The Hî² Index As An Age Indicator Of Old Stellar Systems: The Effects Of Horizontal-Branch Stars, Hyun Chul Lee, Suk Jin Yoon, Young Wook Lee

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The strength of the Hβ index is computed for the integrated spectra of model globular clusters from the evolutionary population synthesis. For the first time, these models take into account the detailed systematic variation of horizontal-branch (HB) morphology with age and metallicity. Our models show that the Hβ index is significantly affected by the presence of blue HB stars. Because of the contribution from blue HB stars, the Hβ does not monotonically decrease as metallicity increases at a given age. Instead, it reaches a maximum strength when the distribution of HB stars is centered around 9500 K, the temperature at …

The Web-Based Interactive Family History Questionnaire, Rita Torkzadeh, Constance M. Johnson, Craig W. Johnson

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.