Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Color Image Segmentation Using The Bee Algorithm In The Markovian Framework, Vehbi Dragaj

Master of Science in Computer Science Theses

This thesis presents color image segmentation as a vital step of image analysis in computer vision. A survey of the Markov Random Field (MRF) with four different implementation methods for its parameter estimation is provided. In addition, a survey of swarm intelligence and a number of swarm based algorithms are presented. The MRF model is used for color image segmentation in the framework. This thesis introduces a new image segmentation implementation that uses the bee algorithm as an optimization tool in the Markovian framework. The experiments show that the new proposed method performs faster than the existing implementation methods with …

Elevation Data And Mapping Updates, Doug Marcy

July 29, 2016: The Latest in Sea Level Rise Science

No abstract provided.

Street Level Predictive Modeling Of Nuisance Flooding In Norfolk, Va, Jon Derek Loftis, Harry V. Wang, David R. Forrest, William 'Skip' A. Stiles

July 29, 2016: The Latest in Sea Level Rise Science

No abstract provided.

Noaa Inundation Dashboard, Audra Luscher, Paul Fanelli

July 29, 2016: The Latest in Sea Level Rise Science

No abstract provided.

The Science Of Sea Level Rise And The Impact Of The Gulf Stream, Tal Ezer

July 29, 2016: The Latest in Sea Level Rise Science

No abstract provided.

Risk Of Extreme Events, Don Resio

July 29, 2016: The Latest in Sea Level Rise Science

No abstract provided.

Subsidence Monitoring In Hampton Roads Using Satellites, Ben Hamlington

July 29, 2016: The Latest in Sea Level Rise Science

No abstract provided.

Agenda, Hr Adaptation Forum

July 29, 2016: The Latest in Sea Level Rise Science

No abstract provided.

Total Water Level And Wave Run Up Forecast, Eric Seymour

July 29, 2016: The Latest in Sea Level Rise Science

No abstract provided.

Use Of Clustering Techniques For Protein Domain Analysis, Eric Rodene

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Next-generation sequencing has allowed many new protein sequences to be identified. However, this expansion of sequence data limits the ability to determine the structure and function of most of these newly-identified proteins. Inferring the function and relationships between proteins is possible with traditional alignment-based phylogeny. However, this requires at least one shared subsequence. Without such a subsequence, no meaningful alignments between the protein sequences are possible. The entire protein set (or proteome) of an organism contains many unrelated proteins. At this level, the necessary similarity does not occur. Therefore, an alternative method of understanding relationships within diverse sets of proteins …

Measuring A Transmon Qubit In Circuit Qed: Dressed Squeezed States, Mostafa Khezri, Eric Mlinar, Justin Dressel, A. N. Korotkov

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Using circuit QED, we consider the measurement of a superconducting transmon qubit via a coupled microwave resonator. For ideally dispersive coupling, ringing up the resonator produces coherent states with frequencies matched to transmon energy states. Realistic coupling is not ideally dispersive, however, so transmon-resonator energy levels hybridize into joint eigenstate ladders of the Jaynes–Cummings type. Previous work has shown that ringing up the resonator approximately respects this ladder structure to produce a coherent state in the eigenbasis (a dressed coherent state). We numerically investigate the validity of this coherent-state approximation to find two primary deviations. First, resonator ring-up leaks small …

Temporal And Spatial Distribution Of Cetacean Strandings Focusing On The Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus) With A Synthesis Of Potential Causes, April D. Clark

HCNSO Student Capstones

A comprehensive review of the literature and a quantitative statistical analysis of that information are presented. A total of 6,015 cetaceans stranded at 36 locations from 24 peer reviewed articles published between 1999 and 2014 are documented, with the two most common stranding locations being the Canary Islands - accounting for 49 of the total cetacean stranding events - and Cape Cod - accounting for 31 of total cetacean stranding events. The documented cetacean stranding events included 805 for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at a total of ten locations from 11 peer reviewed articles. When all single stranding …

Essays On Efficiency, Fairness And Strategy-Proofness In Allocation Problems With Exact Capacity Constraints., T. C. A. Madhav Raghavan Dr.

Doctoral Theses

In this thesis we consider situations where heterogenous objects are to be distributed among a set of claimants. The objects in question are indivisible, so they cannot be split or shared. There is no money in this economy, so objects cannot be simply bought and sold. Allocations to claimants must be based on their preferences over objects alone. We impose the additional restriction that each object has an exact capacity constraint, such that each object is assigned either to a pre-specified (and fixed) number of agents, or it is not assigned at all. Further, we assume that the capacity constraint …

Intramolecular 1,5-C(Sp3)–H Radical Amination Via Co(Ii)-Based Metalloradical Catalysis For Five-Membered Cyclic Sulfamides, Hongjian Lu, Kai Lang, Huiling Jiang, Lukasz Wojtas, X Peter Zhang

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Co(II)-based metalloradical catalysis (MRC) proves effective for intramolecular 1,5-C–H amination of sulfamoyl azides under neutral and nonoxidative conditions, providing a straightforward approach to access strained 5-membered cyclic sulfamides with nitrogen gas as the only byproduct. The metalloradical amination system is applicable to different types of C(sp³)–H bonds and has a high degree of functional group tolerance. Additional features of the Co(II)-catalyzed 1,5-C–H amination include excellent chemoselectivity toward allylic and propargylic C–H bonds. The unique reactivity and selectivity profile of the Co(II)-catalyzed 1,5-C–H amination is attributed to the underlying radical mechanism of MRC.

Multiple New-Particle Growth Pathways Observed At The Us Doe Southern Great Plains Field Site, Anna L. Hodshire, Michael J. Lawler, Jun Zhao, John Ortega, Coty Jen, Taina Yli-Juuti, Jared F. Brewer, Jack K. Kodros, Kelley C. Barsanti, Dave R. Hanson, Peter H. Mcmurry, James N. Smith, Jeffery R. Pierce

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

New-particle formation (NPF) is a significant source of aerosol particles into the atmosphere. However, these particles are initially too small to have climatic importance and must grow, primarily through net uptake of low volatility species, from diameters ∼ 1 to 30–100 nm in order to potentially impact climate. There are currently uncertainties in the physical and chemical processes associated with the growth of these freshly formed particles that lead to uncertainties in aerosol-climate modeling. Four main pathways for new-particle growth have been identified: condensation of sulfuric-acid vapor (and associated bases when available), condensation of organic vapors, uptake of organic acids …

Near-Side Azimuthal And Pseudorapidity Correlations Using Neutral Strange Baryons And Mesons In D+Au, Cu+Cu, And Au+Au Collisions At √SNn = 200 Gev, B. Abelev, L. Adamczyk, James K. Adkins, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin, E. C. Aschenauer, M. U. Ashraf, A. Attri, G. S. Averichev, X. Bai, V. Bairathi, L. S. Barnby, R. Bellwied, A. Bhasin, A. K. Bhati, P. Bhattarai, J. Bielcik, J. Bielcikova, L. C. Bland, M. Bombara, I. G. Bordyuzhin, J. Bouchet, J. D. Brandenburg, A. V. Brandin, I. Bunzarov, J. Butterworth, Renee H. Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present measurements of the near side of triggered di-hadron correlations using neutral strange baryons (Λ, Λ⁻) and mesons (K⁰_S) at intermediate transverse momentum (3 < p_T < 6 GeV/c) to look for possible flavor and baryon-meson dependence. This study is performed in d+Au, Cu+Cu, and Au+Au collisions at √^S_NN = 200 GeV measured by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The near-side di-hadron correlation contains two structures, a peak which is narrow in azimuth and pseudorapidity consistent with correlations from jet fragmentation, and a correlation in azimuth which is broad in pseudorapidity. The …

Observational Evidence Confirms Modelling Of The Long-Term Integrity Of Co2-Reservoir Caprocks, N. Kampman, A. Busch, P. Bertier, J. Snippe, S. Hangx, V. Pipich, Z. Di, G. Rother, J. F. Harrington, James P. Evans, A. Maskell, H. J. Chapman, M. J. Bickle

Geosciences Faculty Publications

Storage of anthropogenic CO₂ in geological formations relies on a caprock as the primary seal preventing buoyant super-critical CO₂ escaping. Although natural CO₂ reservoirs demonstrate that CO₂ may be stored safely for millions of years, uncertainty remains in predicting how caprocks will react with CO2-bearing brines. This uncertainty poses a significant challenge to the risk assessment of geological carbon storage. Here we describe mineral reaction fronts in a CO₂ reservoir-caprock system exposed to CO₂ over a timescale comparable with that needed for geological carbon storage. The propagation of the reaction front is retarded by …

Perceived Effectiveness Of E-Learning For Technology Instruction In Public Library Staff Development Programs: A Survey Based On The Technology Acceptance Model, Julia Huprich

Master of Science in Information Technology Theses

The purpose of this research study was to determine the perceived effectiveness of e-learning for staff members in public libraries. In addition, the effects of user demographics - including a user’s age and gender - were analyzed to determine if these factors impacted the perceived effectiveness of e-learning as a training delivery model.

Davis’s Technology Acceptance Model (1989) was used to develop a questionnaire related to the perceived effectiveness and value of e-learning, and a survey of public library staff members across the United States was conducted. Results of the survey showed the impact that previous e-learning experience and the …

Land Cover Data For The Mississippi-Alabama Barrier Islands, 2010-2011 Arcgis V10.3 Geodatabase, Gregory A. Carter, Carlton P. Anderson, Kelly L. Lucas, Nathan L. Hopper

Land Cover Data for the Mississippi-Alabama Barrier Islands, 2010-2011

Land cover on the Mississippi-Alabama barrier islands was surveyed in 2010-2011 as part of continuing research on island geomorphic and vegetation dynamics following the 2005 impact of Hurricane Katrina. Results of the survey include sub-meter GPS location, a listing of dominant vegetation species and field photographs recorded at 375 sampling locations distributed among Cat, West Ship, East Ship, Horn, Sand, Petit Bois and West Dauphin Islands. The survey was conducted in a period of intensive remote sensing data acquisition over the northern Gulf of Mexico by federal, state and commercial organizations in response to the 2010 Macondo Well (Deepwater Horizon) …

Apoe Ε4 Allele Modifies The Association Of Lead Exposure With Age-Related Cognitive Decline In Older Individuals, Diddier Prada, Elena Colicino, Melinda C. Power, Marc G Weisskopf, Jia Zhong, Lifang Hou, Avron Spiro, Pantel Vokonas, Plus 4 Others...

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Continuing chronic and sporadic high-level of lead exposure in some regions in the U.S. has directed public attention to the effects of lead on human health. Long-term lead exposure has been associated with faster cognitive decline in older individuals; however, genetic susceptibility to lead-related cognitive decline during aging has been poorly studied.

METHODS: We determined the interaction of APOE-epsilon variants and environmental lead exposure in relation to age-related cognitive decline. We measured tibia bone lead by K-shell-x-ray fluorescence, APOE-epsilon variants by multiplex PCR and global cognitive z-scores in 489 men from the VA-Normative Aging Study. To determine global cognitive …

Transgenerational Effects Of Thermal Stress: Impacts On And Beyond Coral Reproduction, Alyson Kuba

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Ocean warming causes stress to corals and records reveal that periods of thermal stress are increasing in frequency and severity. Previous studies show that thermal stress negatively impacts the reproductive output of corals. However, the transgenerational impacts of coral bleaching have never been quantified. As a consequence, it is unclear how ocean warming may alter population dynamics due to effects on reproduction and recruitment. This study quantified the transgenerational impacts of thermal stress in Montastraea cavernosa. To assess transgenerational effects of temperature stress during gametogenesis, colonies were exposed to elevated temperature for two weeks four months prior to spawning, …

Riemann-Hilbert Approach For The Fqxl Model: A Generalized Camassa-Holm Equation With Cubic And Quadratic Nonlinearity, Zhen Wang, Zhijun Qiao

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

In this paper, the inverse scattering transform associated with a Riemann-Hilbert problem is formulated for the FQXL model: a generalized Camassa-Holm equation mt = 12 k1[m(u2 − u2 x )]x + 1 2 k2(2mux + mxu), m = u − ux x, which was originally included in the work of Fokas [Physica D 87, 145 (1995)] and was recently shown to be integrable in the sense of Lax pair, bi-Hamilton structure, and conservation laws by Qiao, Xia, and Li [e-print arXiv:1205.2028v2 (2012)]. We have discussed the following properties: direct scattering problems and Jost solutions, asymptotical and analytical behavior of Jost …

U.S. Drought Monitor, July 26, 2016, Brad Rippey

United States Agricultural Commodities in Drought Archive

Drought map of U.S. for July 26, 2016 (7/26/16) plus: U.S. crop areas experiencing drought (map), Approximate percentage of crop located in drought, by state (bar graph), Percent of crop area located in drought, past 52 weeks (line graph) for: Corn, Soybeans, Hay, Cattle, Winter wheat.

Graduate Student, Caleb Buahin, Receives Multiple Awards, Utah Water Research Laboratory

News

UWRL graduate student Caleb Buahin has won a number of prestigious awards recently based on his outstanding academic performance and accomplishments.

Can Skeletal Morphology Support New Molecular Phylogenies Of Antedonidae (Crinoidea: Comatulida)?, Brenna Hays

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Antedonidae (Crinoidea: Comatulida) is the largest of extant crinoid families; it currently includes ~155 accepted species in 50 genera and accounts for ~23% of extant crinoid species (~29% of feather stars) and 27% of genera. Molecular phylogenies have returned the family as polyphyletic, with several clades scattered among non-antedonid sister groups (Hemery 2011, Hemery et al. 2013, Rouse et al. in prep.). Traditional morphological characteristics are thus inadequate for reconstructing relationships among taxa. SEM imaging was used in an effort to discover new diagnostic features that will support the molecular data, focusing on skeletal ossicles within the calyx, specifically the …

Constraining The Age And Distance Of The Galactic Supernova Remnant G156.2+5.7 By H A Expansion Measurements, Satoru Katsuda, Masaomi Tanaka, Tomoki Morokuma, Robert Fesen, Dan Milisavljevic

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present deep Hα images of portions of the X-ray bright, but optically faint, Galactic supernova remnant G156.2+5.7, revealing numerous and delicately thin non-radiative filaments, which mark the location of the remnant's forward shock. These new images show that these filaments have a complex structure not visible on previous lower resolution optical images. By comparing Hα images taken in 2004 at the McDonald Observatory and in 2015–2016 at the Kiso Observatory, we set a stringent 1σ upper limit of expansion to be 0.06 arcsec/yr. This proper motion, combined with a shock speed of 500 km s^{−1 …}

Towards Understanding And Developing Virtual Environments To Increase Accessibilities For People With Visual Impairments, Miao Dong

Master of Science in Computer Science Theses

The primary goal of this research is to investigate the possibilities of utilizing audio feedback to support effective Human-Computer Interaction Virtual Environments (VEs) without visual feedback for people with Visual Impairments. Efforts have been made to apply virtual reality (VR) technology for training and educational applications for diverse population groups, such as children and stroke patients. Those applications had already shown effects of increasing motivations, providing safer training environments and more training opportunities. However, they are all based on visual feedback. With the head related transfer functions (HRTFs), it is possible to design and develop considerably safer, but diversified training …

Minimizing Corrosion Of Outdoor Metalworks Using Dispersed Chemically Stabilized Nanoclays In Polyvinylidene Fluoride Latex Coatings, Natasja Alexandria Swartz, Capri A. Price, Tami Lasseter Clare

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Nanoclays are small enough to appear optically transparent, yet they have large surface-to-volume and high aspect ratios that can significantly inhibit water diffusion when incorporated into protective coatings. Clear coatings, which minimally affect the aesthetics of metalworks, are commonly applied to outdoor metalworks, such as sculptures, to prevent and slow corrosion. In recent years, waterborne clear coatings, rather than solvent-based clear coatings, are increasingly used in many applications to reduce the quantity of volatile organic components in the formulation, yet the performance of dry films produced from waterborne colloidal suspensions is generally poorer. In this work, we aim to improve …

Do Forest Commons Contribute To International Environmental Initiatives? A Socio-Ecological Analysis Of Nepalese Forest Commons In View Of Redd+, Harisharan Luintel

Dissertations and Theses

Forests in developing countries have the potential to contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change, promote biodiversity and support the livelihoods of rural, local people. Approximately one-fourth of such forests are under the control of local communities, which primarily manage forests for subsistence and to meet their livelihood needs. The trend of bottom-up community control is increasing through the adoption of decentralization reforms over the last 40 years. In contrast, the United Nations has introduced the top-down program, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) for the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon and the sustainable management of …

Topological And Hq Equivalence Of Prime Cyclic P-Gonal Actions On Riemann Surfaces (Corrected), Sean A. Broughton

Mathematical Sciences Technical Reports (MSTR)

Two Riemann surfaces S₁ and S₂ with conformal G-actions have topologically equivalent actions if there is a homeomorphism h : S₁ -> S₂ which intertwines the actions. A weaker equivalence may be defined by comparing the representations of G on the spaces of holomorphic q-differentials H^q(S₁) and H^q(S₂). In this note we study the differences between topological equivalence and H^q equivalence of prime cyclic actions, where S₁/G and S₂/G have genus zero.