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Articles 149551 - 149580 of 294605

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Build Emotion Lexicon From The Mood Of Crowd Via Topic-Assisted Joint Non-Negative Matrix Factorization, Kaisong Song, Wei Gao, Ling Chen, Shi Feng, Daling Wang, Chengqi Zhang Jul 2016

Build Emotion Lexicon From The Mood Of Crowd Via Topic-Assisted Joint Non-Negative Matrix Factorization, Kaisong Song, Wei Gao, Ling Chen, Shi Feng, Daling Wang, Chengqi Zhang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Kaisong Song, Wei Gao, Ling Chen, Shi Feng, Daling Wang, and Chengqi Zhang. (2016). . In , pages 773–776, Pisa, Italy. ACM Press. https://doi.org/10.1145/2911451.2914759


Detecting Rumors From Microblogs With Recurrent Neural Networks, Jing Ma, Wei Gao, Prasenjit Mitra, Sejeong Kwon, Bernard J. Jansen, Kam-Fai Wong, Meeyoung Cha Jul 2016

Detecting Rumors From Microblogs With Recurrent Neural Networks, Jing Ma, Wei Gao, Prasenjit Mitra, Sejeong Kwon, Bernard J. Jansen, Kam-Fai Wong, Meeyoung Cha

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Microblogging platforms are an ideal place for spreading rumors and automatically debunking rumors is a crucial problem. To detect rumors, existing approaches have relied on hand-crafted features for employing machine learning algorithms that require daunting manual effort. Upon facing a dubious claim, people dispute its truthfulness by posting various cues over time, which generates long-distance dependencies of evidence. This paper presents a novel method that learns continuous representations of microblog events for identifying rumors. The proposed model is based on recurrent neural networks (RNN) for learning the hidden representations that capture the variation of contextual information of relevant posts over …


Stpp: Spatial-Temporal Phase Profiling Based Method For Relative Rfid Tag Localization, Longfei Shangguan, Zheng Yang, Alex X. Liu, Zimu Zhou, Yunhao Liu Jul 2016

Stpp: Spatial-Temporal Phase Profiling Based Method For Relative Rfid Tag Localization, Longfei Shangguan, Zheng Yang, Alex X. Liu, Zimu Zhou, Yunhao Liu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Many object localization applications need the relative locations of a set of objects as oppose to their absolute locations. Although many schemes for object localization using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags have been proposed, they mostly focus on absolute object localization and are not suitable for relative object localization because of large error margins and the special hardware that they require. In this paper, we propose an approach called spatial-temporal phase profiling (STPP) to RFID-based relative object localization. The basic idea of STPP is that by moving a reader over a set of tags during which the reader continuously interrogating …


Simulation Model Of An Automatic Commercial Ice Machine, Haithem Murgham, David Myszka, Vijay Bahel, Rajan Rajendran, Kurt Knapke, Suresh Shivashankar, Kyaw Wynn Jul 2016

Simulation Model Of An Automatic Commercial Ice Machine, Haithem Murgham, David Myszka, Vijay Bahel, Rajan Rajendran, Kurt Knapke, Suresh Shivashankar, Kyaw Wynn

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Automatic commercial ice-making machines that produce a batch of cube ice at regular intervals are known as “cubers." Such machines are commonly used in food service, food preservation, hotel, and health service industries. The machines are typically rated for the weight of ice produced over a 24-hour period at ambient air temperatures of 90°F and water inlet temperature of 70°F.

These cubers typically utilize an air-cooled, vapor-compression cycle to freeze circulating water flowing over an evaporator grid. Once a sufficient amount ice is formed, a valve switches to enable a harvest mode, where the compressor’s discharge gas is routed into …


An Interactive Likelihood For The Multi-Bernoulli Filter, Anthony B. Hoak Jul 2016

An Interactive Likelihood For The Multi-Bernoulli Filter, Anthony B. Hoak

Master's Theses (2009 -)

In this thesis, a simple yet effective technique is presented for increasing the accuracy of multi-target tracking algorithms with a focus on sequential Monte-Carlo implementations of random finite set-based approaches. This technique, referred to throughout this work as an interactive likelihood, exploits the spatial information that exists in any given measurement, reducing the need for data association and allowing for more target interaction thereby increasing overall tracking accuracy. The interactive likelihood is constructed entirely within the random finite set framework and is integrated with a multi-Bernoulli filter. In addition, a state-of-the-art deep neural network for pedestrian detection is combined in …


Wet Meadow Plant Associations, Double O Unit, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Harney County, Oregon, John A. Christy Jul 2016

Wet Meadow Plant Associations, Double O Unit, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Harney County, Oregon, John A. Christy

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

This report summarizes vegetation data collected in July 2015 in wet meadow and marshy habitats on the Double O Unit of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (MNWR). Because vegetation sampled at the Double O was wetter and more alkaline than wet meadows sampled at the south end of the refuge in 2012 and 2013 (Christy 2014), data from the Double O Unit were analyzed and summarized separately. A total of 83 plots were sampled in 2015, and analysis of the data identified 14 plant associations: Alopecurus aequalis - Juncus balticus, Alopecurus pratensis - Potentilla anserina, Carex praegracilis - Juncus balticus, Cicuta …


Factors Influencing The Survival Of Outmigrating Juvenile Salmonids Through Multiple Dam Passages: An Individual-Based Approach, Timothy Elder, Christa M. Woodley, Mark A. Weiland, Angela L. Strecker Jul 2016

Factors Influencing The Survival Of Outmigrating Juvenile Salmonids Through Multiple Dam Passages: An Individual-Based Approach, Timothy Elder, Christa M. Woodley, Mark A. Weiland, Angela L. Strecker

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Substantial declines of Pacific salmon populations have occurred over the past several decades related to large-scale anthropogenic and climatic changes in freshwater and marine environments. In the Columbia River Basin, migrating juvenile salmonids may pass as many as eight large-scale hydropower projects before reaching the ocean; however, the cumulative effects of multiple dam passages are largely unknown. Using acoustic transmitters and an extensive system of hydrophone arrays in the Lower Columbia River, we calculated the survival of yearling Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) passing one, two, or three dams. We applied a unique index of biological characteristics …


Population Properties Of Brown Dwarf Analogs To Exoplanets, Jacqueline K. Faherty, Adric R. Riedel, Kelle L. Cruz, Jonathan Gagne, Joseph C. Filippazzo, Erini Lambrides, Haley Fica, Alycia Weinberger, John R. Thorstensen Jul 2016

Population Properties Of Brown Dwarf Analogs To Exoplanets, Jacqueline K. Faherty, Adric R. Riedel, Kelle L. Cruz, Jonathan Gagne, Joseph C. Filippazzo, Erini Lambrides, Haley Fica, Alycia Weinberger, John R. Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present a kinematic analysis of 152 low surface gravity M7-L8 dwarfs by adding 18 new parallaxes (including 10 for comparative field objects), 38 new radial velocities, and 19 new proper motions. We also add low- or moderate-resolution near-infrared spectra for 43 sources confirming their low surface gravity features. Among the full sample, we find 39 objects to be high-likelihood or new bona fide members of nearby moving groups, 92 objects to be ambiguous members and 21 objects that are non-members. Using this age-calibrated sample, we investigate trends in gravity classification, photometric color, absolute magnitude, color–magnitude, luminosity, and effective temperature. …


Transdisciplinary Weed Research: New Leverage On Challenging Weed Problems?, N. Jordan, M. Schut, S. Grahan, J. N. Barney, D. Z. Childs, S. Christensen, R. D. Cousens, A. S. Davis, H. Eizenberg, David E. Ervin, C. Fernández-Quintanilla, L. J. Harrison, M. A. Harsch, S. Heijting, M. Liebman, D. Loddo, S. B. Mirsky, M. Riemens, P. Neve, D. A. Peltzer, M. Renton, M. Williams, J. Recasens, M. Sønderskov Jul 2016

Transdisciplinary Weed Research: New Leverage On Challenging Weed Problems?, N. Jordan, M. Schut, S. Grahan, J. N. Barney, D. Z. Childs, S. Christensen, R. D. Cousens, A. S. Davis, H. Eizenberg, David E. Ervin, C. Fernández-Quintanilla, L. J. Harrison, M. A. Harsch, S. Heijting, M. Liebman, D. Loddo, S. B. Mirsky, M. Riemens, P. Neve, D. A. Peltzer, M. Renton, M. Williams, J. Recasens, M. Sønderskov

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

Transdisciplinary weed research (TWR) is a promising path to more effective management of challenging weed problems. We define TWR as an integrated process of inquiry and action that addresses complex weed problems in the context of broader efforts to improve economic, environmental and social aspects of ecosystem sustainability. TWR seeks to integrate scholarly and practical knowledge across many stakeholder groups (e.g. scientists, private sector, farmers and extension officers) and levels (e.g. local, regional and landscape). Furthermore, TWR features democratic and iterative processes of decision-making and collective action that aims to align the interests, viewpoints and agendas of a wide range …


Clear Creek Estuary Restoration: Establishing An Ecological Monitoring Program And Baseline Conditions, Christine Butler-Minor Jul 2016

Clear Creek Estuary Restoration: Establishing An Ecological Monitoring Program And Baseline Conditions, Christine Butler-Minor

Environmental Science and Management Professional Master's Project Reports

Monitoring habitat conditions in the Clear Creek Estuary before the completion of the Bucklin Hill Bridge Project is a critical part of this ecosystem restoration planning and execution. The Clear Creek Trail Alliance (CCTA) is working with local partners to monitor the effects of the estuary restoration. In a wider effort to characterize salmonid habitat suitability of the estuary prior to the bridge replacement, CCTA would like to gather data related to water quality, beach/bank elevations, vegetation in the vicinity, and invertebrate diversity in the estuary. The development and implementation of this Clear Creek Estuary monitoring project provides an opportunity …


Adian Inverse Semigroups, Muhammad Inam Jul 2016

Adian Inverse Semigroups, Muhammad Inam

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The class of Adian semigroups and Adian groups was first introduced and studied by S. I. Adian in 1966. We introduce the notion of Adian inverse semigroups with the hope that the study of these objects may help in resolving some of the remaining open questions about Adian semigroups and Adian groups. We first prove that Adian inverse semigroups are E-unitary. We then prove that if is a finitely presented Adian inverse semigroup which satisfies the property that the Schützenberger complex of each positive word X+ over the presentation is finite, then the Schützenberger complex of every word …


Examining Bridges Between Informal And Formal Learning Environments: A Sequential Mixed Method Design, Dagen L. Valentine Jul 2016

Examining Bridges Between Informal And Formal Learning Environments: A Sequential Mixed Method Design, Dagen L. Valentine

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this sequential mixed method study was to identify schools implementing a technology-based engineering design intervention in a way that connects or bridges formal learning environments of the school-day to informal learning environments such as afterschool programs. Further, this study investigated educators’ decisions that enabled or facilitated bridging between formal and informal learning environments. This cooperation and/or linking between informal and formal learning time is bridging. Participants included public schools (n=16) in Eastern Nebraska that incorporated the Nebraska Wearables Technology (WearTec) program at their school, club or Out-of-School-Time program during the 2015-2016 school year. Three of the schools …


Computational Modeling Of Facial Response For Detecting Differential Traits In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Manar D. Samad Jul 2016

Computational Modeling Of Facial Response For Detecting Differential Traits In Autism Spectrum Disorders, Manar D. Samad

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation proposes novel computational modeling and computer vision methods for the analysis and discovery of differential traits in subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using video and three-dimensional (3D) images of face and facial expressions. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs an individual’s nonverbal communication skills. This work studies ASD from the pathophysiology of facial expressions which may manifest atypical responses in the face. State-of-the-art psychophysical studies mostly employ na¨ıve human raters to visually score atypical facial responses of individuals with ASD, which may be subjective, tedious, and error prone. A few quantitative studies use intrusive sensors on …


Discipline-Based Planetary Education Research And Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis Of Mars, Filis Coba Jul 2016

Discipline-Based Planetary Education Research And Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis Of Mars, Filis Coba

Physics Theses & Dissertations

This thesis originates from the testing and implementation of an IRB-approved interactive animation designed to help students understand what causes The Reasons For The Seasons (RFTS) on Earth. Results from the testing indicated a small improvement in student understanding after exposure to the animation. Next, using the 3-D mapping tool Google Earth, students explored seasons and other planetary features on Mercury, Venus, the Moon and Mars through IRB-approved interactive tours which were developed and tested for astronomy education. Results from the tests indicated that there were statistically significant learning gains (p-value < 0.05) after students interacted with the tours compared to those who did not. The development of the tours inspired a geophysics study of the possibility of former plate motion (or plate tectonics) on Mars. A 2-D finite element convection model for the mantle of Mars was designed and solved using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.1, to investigate whether or not thermal gradients in a Mars-sized planet could cause vigorous upper mantle convection, consistent with plate tectonic processes. Results from this project indicated that stable convection could occur in the interior of a Mars-like planet assuming the presence of sufficiently high thermal gradients at about 0.8 times the mantle temperature of Earth. The convective patterns resembled hot upwelling and cool downwelling which may be similar to subduction-like features. Furthermore, increasing the temperature of the hot boundaries resulted in faster, more rigorous convective motions and a hotter average temperature.


Analysis Off Dependent Discrete Choices Using Gaussian Copula, Arjun Poddar Jul 2016

Analysis Off Dependent Discrete Choices Using Gaussian Copula, Arjun Poddar

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

A popular tool for analyzing product choices of consumers is the well-known conditional logit discrete choice model. Originally publicized by McFadden (1974), this model assumes that the random components of the underlying latent utility functions of the consumers follow independent Gumbel distributions. However, in practice the independence assumption may be violated and a more reasonable model should account for the dependence of the utilities. In this dissertation we use the Gaussian copula with compound symmetric and autoregressive of order one correlation matrices to construct a general multivariate model for the joint distribution of the utilities. The induced correlations on the …


Using Web Archives To Enrich The Live Web Experience Through Storytelling, Yasmin Alnoamany Jul 2016

Using Web Archives To Enrich The Live Web Experience Through Storytelling, Yasmin Alnoamany

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Much of our cultural discourse occurs primarily on the Web. Thus, Web preservation is a fundamental precondition for multiple disciplines. Archiving Web pages into themed collections is a method for ensuring these resources are available for posterity. Services such as Archive-It exists to allow institutions to develop, curate, and preserve collections of Web resources. Understanding the contents and boundaries of these archived collections is a challenge for most people, resulting in the paradox of the larger the collection, the harder it is to understand. Meanwhile, as the sheer volume of data grows on the Web, "storytelling" is becoming a popular …


Self-Regulated Incremental Clustering With Focused Preferences, Di Wang, Ah-Hwee Tan Jul 2016

Self-Regulated Incremental Clustering With Focused Preferences, Di Wang, Ah-Hwee Tan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Due to their online learning nature, incremental clustering techniques can handle a continuous stream of data. In particular, various incremental clustering techniques based on Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) have been shown to have low computational complexity in adaptive learning and are less sensitive to noisy information. However, parameter regularization in existing ART clustering techniques is applied either on different features or on different clusters exclusively. In this paper, we introduce Interest-Focused Clustering based on Adaptive Resonance Theory (IFC-ART), which self-regulates the vigilance parameter associated with each feature and each cluster. As such, we can incorporate the domain knowledge of the …


Outlier-Robust Tensor Pca, Pan Zhou, Jiashi Feng Jul 2016

Outlier-Robust Tensor Pca, Pan Zhou, Jiashi Feng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Low-rank tensor analysis is important for various real applications in computer vision. However, existing methods focus on recovering a low-rank tensor contaminated by Gaussian or gross sparse noise and hence cannot effectively handle outliers that are common in practical tensor data. To solve this issue, we propose an outlier-robust tensor principle component analysis (OR-TPCA) method for simultaneous low-rank tensor recovery and outlier detection. For intrinsically low-rank tensor observations with arbitrary outlier corruption, OR-TPCA is the first method that has provable performance guarantee for exactly recovering the tensor subspace and detecting outliers under mild conditions. Since tensor data are naturally high-dimensional …


Real-Time Salient Object Detection With A Minimum Spanning Tree, Wei-Chih Tu, Shengfeng He, Qingxiong Yang, Shao-Yi Chien Jul 2016

Real-Time Salient Object Detection With A Minimum Spanning Tree, Wei-Chih Tu, Shengfeng He, Qingxiong Yang, Shao-Yi Chien

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we present a real-time salient object detection system based on the minimum spanning tree. Due to the fact that background regions are typically connected to the image boundaries, salient objects can be extracted by computing the distances to the boundaries. However, measuring the image boundary connectivity efficiently is a challenging problem. Existing methods either rely on superpixel representation to reduce the processing units or approximate the distance transform. Instead, we propose an exact and iteration free solution on a minimum spanning tree. The minimum spanning tree representation of an image inherently reveals the object geometry information in …


The Impact Of Nasd Rule 2711 And Nyse Rule 472 On Analyst Behavior: The Strategic Timing Of Recommendations Issued On Weekends, Yi Dong, Nan Hu Jul 2016

The Impact Of Nasd Rule 2711 And Nyse Rule 472 On Analyst Behavior: The Strategic Timing Of Recommendations Issued On Weekends, Yi Dong, Nan Hu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Amendments to NASD Rule 2711 and NYSE Rule 472, enacted in May 2002, mandate that sell-side analysts disclose the distribution of their security recommendations by buy, hold and sell category. This regulation enhances the transparency of analysts' information and mitigates the long-recognized optimistic bias in their recommendations. However, we find that analysts are more likely to issue sell recommendations or downgrade revisions on weekends when investors have limited attention after these rule changes. This pattern is more pronounced for prestigious analysts, who are more likely to influence stock prices. Market reaction tests reveal an incomplete immediate response and a greater …


Fine-Grained Detection Of Programming Students’ Frustration Using Keystrokes, Mouse Clicks And Interaction Logs, Hua Leong Fwa Jul 2016

Fine-Grained Detection Of Programming Students’ Frustration Using Keystrokes, Mouse Clicks And Interaction Logs, Hua Leong Fwa

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Prolonged frustration leads to loss of confidence and eventual disinterest in the learning itself. The modelling of frustration in learning is thus important as it informs on the appropriate time to intervene to sustain the interest and motivation of students. To automatically detect learner’s frustration in a naturalistic learning environment, the novel use of keystrokes, mouse clicks and interaction patterns of students captured within the context of a tutoring system was proposed. The modelling approach was described and a comparison was made between the proposed model using Bayesian Network and the baseline Naïve Bayes model. With the formulation of an …


Hci Testing In Laboratory Or Field Settings, Chuan-Hoo Tan, Austin Silva, Rich Lee, Kanliang Wang, Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah Jul 2016

Hci Testing In Laboratory Or Field Settings, Chuan-Hoo Tan, Austin Silva, Rich Lee, Kanliang Wang, Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper presents perspectives from both academia and practice on how an HCI testing is to be conducted and the deliberations that go into the testing. HCI testing can be conducted in closed-door laboratory or in a field setting. While there is an increased interest in field testing of an HCI artifact, there is always an enduring concern over how to administer a field testing given that the testers will have less control over the course of testing. In this paper, we cover HCI testing deliberation as well as the operational issues of field testing, and conclude the paper with …


The First Potential Energy Surfaces For The C₆Hˉ-H₂ And C₆Hˉ-He Collisional Systems And Their Corresponding Inelastic Cross Sections, Kyle M. Walker, Fabien Dumouchel, François Lique, Richard Dawes Jul 2016

The First Potential Energy Surfaces For The C₆Hˉ-H₂ And C₆Hˉ-He Collisional Systems And Their Corresponding Inelastic Cross Sections, Kyle M. Walker, Fabien Dumouchel, François Lique, Richard Dawes

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Molecular anions have recently been detected in the interstellar and circumstellar media. Accurate modeling of their abundance requires calculations of collisional data with the most abundant species that are usually He atoms and H2 molecules. In this paper, we focus on the collisional excitation of the first observed molecular anion, C6H-, by He and H2. Theoretical calculations of collisional cross sections rely generally on ab initio interaction potential energy surfaces (PESs). Hence, we present here the first PESs for the C6H--H2 and C6H--He van …


Gas Phase Structure Characterization Using Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry, Anupriya Anupriya Jul 2016

Gas Phase Structure Characterization Using Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry, Anupriya Anupriya

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) based techniques to study the impact of molecular structure on conformation and binding energetics. A novel method to determine collison cross sectional areas using FTICR (CRAFTI), initially developed by the Dearden lab, was applied to study the conformations of molecular systems with unique structural attributes in an attempt to explore the molecular range of CRAFTI. The systems chosen for CRAFTI studies include crown-ether alkylammonium complexes and biogenic amino acids. The results were found to be consistent with expected behavior, and strongly correlated with experimental measurements made using ion mobility …


Computational Studies Of Alkane C-H Functionalization By Main-Group Metals, Samantha Jane Gustafson Jul 2016

Computational Studies Of Alkane C-H Functionalization By Main-Group Metals, Samantha Jane Gustafson

Theses and Dissertations

The most efficient homogeneous catalysts for hydroxylation of light alkanes utilize transition metals in superacid solvent and operate by tandem electrophilic C-H activation/metal-alkyl (M-R) functionalization. An emerging alternative strategy to transition metals is the use of high-oxidation state main-group metals (e.g. TlIII, PbIV, IIII) that hydroxylate light alkanes. This dissertation reports density-functional theory calculations that reveal the mechanisms, reactivity, and selectivity of TlIII promoted alkane C-H functionalization in trifluoroacetic acid and TlIII-dialkyl functionalization in water. Calculations reveal that TlIII oxidizes alkanes via a closed-shell C-H activation and M-R functionalization mechanism that is similar to transition-metal C-H functionalization mechanisms. Comparison of …


Usable, Secure Content-Based Encryption On The Web, Scott Ruoti Jul 2016

Usable, Secure Content-Based Encryption On The Web, Scott Ruoti

Theses and Dissertations

Users share private information on the web through a variety of applications, such as email, instant messaging, social media, and document sharing. Unfortunately, recent revelations have shown that not only is users' data at risk from hackers and malicious insiders, but also from government surveillance. This state of affairs motivates the need for users to be able to encrypt their online data.In this dissertation, we explore how to help users encrypt their online data, with a special focus on securing email. First, we explore the design principles that are necessary to create usable, secure email. As part of this exploration, …


Designing Human-Centered Collective Intelligence, Ivor Addo Jul 2016

Designing Human-Centered Collective Intelligence, Ivor Addo

Dissertations (1934 -)

Human-Centered Collective Intelligence (HCCI) is an emergent research area that seeks to bring together major research areas like machine learning, statistical modeling, information retrieval, market research, and software engineering to address challenges pertaining to deriving intelligent insights and solutions through the collaboration of several intelligent sensors, devices and data sources. An archetypal contextual CI scenario might be concerned with deriving affect-driven intelligence through multimodal emotion detection sources in a bid to determine the likability of one movie trailer over another. On the other hand, the key tenets to designing robust and evolutionary software and infrastructure architecture models to address cross-cutting …


"It's Such A Battle": A Phenomenological Account Of Raising A Child On The Autistic Spectrum - A Battle With Bureaucracy And Behaviour, Tara Vassallo Jul 2016

"It's Such A Battle": A Phenomenological Account Of Raising A Child On The Autistic Spectrum - A Battle With Bureaucracy And Behaviour, Tara Vassallo

The Plymouth Student Scientist

A sharp rise in the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has led to it becoming one of the most widely researched neurodevelopmental conditions. Although the predominant focus in autism research is child centred, research on parent outcomes has highlighted considerable impact, in terms of parent’s mental health and wellbeing. Previous studies have shown that parents of children with autism suffer extremes of distress, in excess of that of parents of children with other disabilities. However, why this is so is less understood. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse data, gathered from semi-structured interviews of seven parents raising children …


A Computational Framework For Learning From Complex Data: Formulations, Algorithms, And Applications, Wenlu Zhang Jul 2016

A Computational Framework For Learning From Complex Data: Formulations, Algorithms, And Applications, Wenlu Zhang

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Many real-world processes are dynamically changing over time. As a consequence, the observed complex data generated by these processes also evolve smoothly. For example, in computational biology, the expression data matrices are evolving, since gene expression controls are deployed sequentially during development in many biological processes. Investigations into the spatial and temporal gene expression dynamics are essential for understanding the regulatory biology governing development. In this dissertation, I mainly focus on two types of complex data: genome-wide spatial gene expression patterns in the model organism fruit fly and Allen Brain Atlas mouse brain data. I provide a framework to explore …


Machine Learning Methods For Brain Image Analysis, Ahmed Fakhry Jul 2016

Machine Learning Methods For Brain Image Analysis, Ahmed Fakhry

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Understanding how the brain functions and quantifying compound interactions between complex synaptic networks inside the brain remain some of the most challenging problems in neuroscience. Lack or abundance of data, shortage of manpower along with heterogeneity of data following from various species all served as an added complexity to the already perplexing problem. The ability to process vast amount of brain data need to be performed automatically, yet with an accuracy close to manual human-level performance. These automated methods essentially need to generalize well to be able to accommodate data from different species. Also, novel approaches and techniques are becoming …