Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Vendor Perceptions Of How Rfid Can Minimize Product Shrinkage In The Retail Supply Chain, N. Huber, Katina Michael

Faculty of Informatics - Papers (Archive)

The objective of this paper is to investigate product shrinkage in the retail supply chain, and to consider how radio frequency identification (RFID) could act as a partial solution toward a retailer’s loss prevention strategy. The research uses semi-structured interviews to collect data, and a qualitative content analysis to present the results. Given that the number of RFID deployments in the retail supply chain is limited, RFID vendors, resellers, and associations are instead used to gather the current value propositions. Representatives from nine Australian RFID vendors and associations were interviewed in August and September of 2006. The results indicate that …

Improving Neural Network Classification Training, Michael Edwin Rimer

Theses and Dissertations

The following work presents a new set of general methods for improving neural network accuracy on classification tasks, grouped under the label of classification-based methods. The central theme of these approaches is to provide problem representations and error functions that more directly improve classification accuracy than conventional learning and error functions. The CB1 algorithm attempts to maximize classification accuracy by selectively backpropagating error only on misclassified training patterns. CB2 incorporates a sliding error threshold to the CB1 algorithm, interpolating between the behavior of CB1 and standard error backpropagation as training progresses in order to avoid prematurely saturated network weights. CB3 …

Total Curriculum Management (Tcm): An Integrated Curriculum Using Distributed Content, K. Michael

Associate Professor Katina Michael

This paper is concerned with practice, specifically, the implementation of a content management system (CMS) for the design of an integrated curriculum. The paper focuses on continuous assessment and how the notion of distributed content can be leveraged to help students become active learners, better integrate their knowledge, and develop critical thinking and professional skills throughout their candidature. Central to the paper is the idea of online resource sharing, reusable content chunks, metatagging, and customised workflows to aid in the coordination of tasks between stakeholders in achieving an integrated curriculum. In developing robust practices in accordance with overarching university and …

Quantum Confinement Of Crystalline Silicon Nanotubes With Nonuniform Wall Thickness: Implication To Modulation Doping, Binghai Yan, Xiao Cheng Zeng, Jian Wu, Bing-Lin Gu, Wenghui Duan

Xiao Cheng Zeng Publications

First-principles calculations of crystalline silicon nanotubes (SiNTs) show that nonuniformity in wall thickness can cause sizable variation in the band gap as well as notable shift in the optical absorption spectrum. A unique quantum confinement behavior is observed: the electronic wave functions of the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum are due mainly to atoms located in the thicker side of the tube wall. This is advantageous to spatially separate the doping impurities from the conducting channel in doped SiNTs. Practically, the performance of the SiNT-based transistors may be substantially improved by selective p/n doping in the thinner side …

2007 Engr333/Biol354 Project Assignment, Matthew K. Heun

ENGR 333

The Fall 2007 semester ENGR333 project involved a collaboration with students in BIOL354, taught by my colleague Dave Warners. We asked our students “What would it take to make Calvin College carbon neutral?”

This project resulted in the first-ever carbon dioxide emissions and sequestration assessment of Calvin College, attached below.

The student presenters animated the pie charts, and an audible gasp filled the hall when the imbalance between carbon emissions and carbon sequestration became clear.

The students also studied potential routes to carbon neutrality, one of which was a green revolving fund.

This class project resulted in a co-authored publication …

Isolation Of The Saddle And Crown Conformers Of Cyclotriveratrylene (Ctv) Oxime, Marlon R. Lutz Jr., David C. French, Peter Rehage, Daniel P. Becker

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The oxime of cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) has been prepared and the individual crown and saddle conformers were isolated and characterized. The equilibrium constant was measured in CDCl3 and in DMSO-d6 and was shown to favor the crown conformer by an order of magnitude in DMSO-d6, relative to an approximately equal mixture at equilibrium in CDCl3. The time course for interconversion of the saddle to the crown was measured by 1H NMR and the t1/2 of the saddle was determined to be 2.45 h in CDCl3 at 25 °C, and 3.71 h in DMSO-d6.

Citation Analysis Using Formal Concept Analysis: A Case Study In Software Engineering, T. Tilley, P Eklund

Faculty of Informatics - Papers (Archive)

In this paper Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) is used as a means to analyse a field of research using published academic papers as its input. In particular, results are presented based on a case study of 47 academic papers in a scientific field of study. The analysis includes inferences about the field of study based on the domain background knowledge derived from the ISO12207 software engineering standard. Additionally, a number of alternative classifications based on the target application language and the reported application size are introduced. FCA reveals useful insights about the nature of the subject matter: identifying fruitful areas …

Gigahertz Optical Spin Transceiver, Patrick Irvin, Petru S. Fodor, Jeremy Levy

Physics Faculty Publications

We present a time-resolved optical technique to measure electron spin dynamics with GHz dynamical bandwidth, transform-limited spectral selectivity, and phase-sensitive (lock-in) detection. Use of a continuous-wave (CW) laser and fast optical bridge enables greatly improved signal-to-noise characteristics compared to traditional optical sampling (pump-probe) techniques. We demonstrate the technique with a measurement of GHz-spin precession in n-GaAs. This approach may be applicable to other physical systems where stroboscopic techniques cannot be used because of either noise or spectral limitations.

Daytime Cover, Diet And Space-Use Of Golden Jackals (Canis Aureus) In Agro-Ecosystems Of Bangladesh, Michael M. Jaeger, Emdadul Haque, Parvin Sultana, Richard L. Bruggers

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Golden jackals are locally common in Bangladesh despite intensive cultivation and high human densities. We studied the relative importance of seasonal flooding, rodent prey-base, and daytime cover on the occurrence of golden jackals in the two major agro-ecosystems in Bangladesh, one with annual monsoon flooding and the other without. Jackals were less common throughout the year where floodwaters occurred that would have excluded them for 1–3 months during their pup-rearing season. Diets of jackals were similar in the two agro-ecosystems. Rodents were the most common food type in scats throughout the year. The occurrence of burrowing rats in scats peaked …

Problems With Precision: A Response To “Comments On ‘Data Mining Static Code Attributes To Learn Defect Predictors’”, Tim Menzies, Alex Dekhtyar, Justin Distefano, Jeremy Greenwald

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Zhang and Zhang argue that predictors are useless unless they have high precison & recall. We have a different view, for two reasons. First, for SE data sets with large neg/pos ratios, it is often required to lower precision to achieve higher recall. Second, there are many domains where low precision detectors are useful.

Enabling The Interoperability Of Large-Scale Legacy Systems, Kalyan Moy Gupta, Michael A. Zang, Adam Gray, David W. Aha, Joe Kriege, Jens G. Pohl

Collaborative Agent Design (CAD) Research Center

Legacy system data models can interoperate only if their syntactic and semantic differences are resolved. To address this problem, we have developed the Intelligent Mapping Toolkit (IMT), which enables mixed-initiative mapping of meta-data and instances between relational data models. IMT employs a distributed multi-agent architecture so that, unlike many other efforts, it can perform mapping tasks that involve thousands of schema elements. This architecture includes a novel federation of matching agents that leverage case-based reasoning methods. As part of our pre-deployment evaluation for USTRANSCOM and other DoD agencies, we evaluated IMT’s mapping performance and scalability. We show that combinations of …

Hands-On Oceanography. Diffusion At Work: An Interactive Simulation, Lee Karp-Boss, Emmanuel Boss, James Loftin

Marine Sciences Faculty Scholarship

The goal of this activity is to help students better understand the nonintuitive concept of diffusion and introduce them to a variety of diffusion-related processes in the ocean. As part of this activity, students also practice data collection and statistical analysis (e.g., average, variance, and probability distribution functions). This activity is also used as an introduction for a subsequent lesson on stirring and mixing.

A Diatom Record Of Late Holocene Climate Variation In The Northern Range Of Yellowstone National Park, Usa, Brandi B. Bracht, Jeffery R. Stone, Sherilyn C. Fritz

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Faculty Publications

The changes in diatom species composition in a sediment core from Crevice Lake, Yellowstone National Park, spanning the past 2550 yr, were used to reconstruct long-term limnological and ecological conditions that may be related to late Holocene climate variability. Planktic forms dominate the fossil diatom assemblages throughout this record, but changes in species dominance indicate varying nutrient levels over time, particularly phosphorus. The changes in the nutrient concentrations in the lake were probably driven by changes in temperature and wind strength that affected the duration of watercolumn mixing and thus the extent of nutrient recycling from deep waters. Prior to …

Necessary Conditions For Super Minimizers In Constrained Multiobjective Optimization, Truong Q. Bao, Boris S. Mordukhovich

Mathematics Research Reports

This paper concerns the study of the so-called super minimizers related to the concept of super efficiency in constrained problems of multiobjective optimization, where cost mappings are generally set-valued. We derive necessary conditions for super minimizers on the base of advanced tools of variational analysis and generalized differentiation that are new in both finite-dimensional and infinite-dimensional settings for problems with single-valued and set-valued objectives.

Angular Spectrum Representation For Propagation Of Random Electromagnetic Beams In A Turbulent Atmosphere, Olga Korotkova, Greg Gbur

Physics Articles and Papers

The combination of an angular spectrum representation (in the space-frequency domain) and the second-order Rytov perturbation theory is applied for description of the second-order statistical properties of arbitrary (coherent and partially coherent) stochastic electromagnetic beamlike fields that propagate in a turbulent atmosphere. In particular, we derive the expressions for the elements of the cross-spectral density matrix of the beam, from which its spectral, coherence, and polarization properties can be found. We illustrate the method by applying it to the propagation of several electromagnetic model beams through the atmosphere.

Progress In Ctbt Monitoring Since Its 1999 Senate Defeat, David W. Hafemeister

Physics

Progress in monitoring the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) is examined, beginning with the 2002 National Academy of Sciences CTBT study, followed by recent findings on regional seismology, array-monitoring, correlation-detection, seismic modeling, and non-seismic technologies. The NAS-CTBT study concluded that the fully completed International Monitoring System (IMS) will reliably detect and identify underground nuclear explosions with a threshold of 0.1 kt in hard rock, if conducted anywhere in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. In some locations the threshold is 0.01 kt or lower, using arrays or regional seismic stations, but with an increase in background events. As …

Testing Thermal Reprocessing In Active Galactic Nuclei Accretion Discs, Edward M. Cackett, Keith Horne, Hartmut Winkler

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Research Publications

The thermal reprocessing hypothesis in active galactic nuclei (AGN), where extreme ultraviolet/X-ray photons are reprocessed by the accretion disc into optical/UV photons, predicts wavelength-dependent time-delays between the optical continuum at different wavelengths. Recent photometric monitoring by Sergeev et al. has shown that the time-delay is observed in 14 AGN, and generally seen to increase with increasing wavelength, as predicted in the reprocessing scenario. We fit the observed time-delays and optical spectral energy distribution using a disc reprocessing model. The model delivers estimates for the nuclear reddening, the product of black hole mass and accretion rate, and the distance to each …

Asymptotic Behavior Of The Global Attractors To The Boussinesq System For Rayleigh-Bénard Convection At Large Prandtl Number, Xiaoming Wang

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We study asymptotic behavior of the global attractors to the Boussinesq system for Rayleigh-Bénard convection at large Prandtl number. in particular, we show that the global attractors to the Boussinesq system for Rayleigh-Bénard convection converge to that of the infinite-Prandtl- number model for convection as the Prandtl number approaches infinity. This offers partial justification of the infinite-Prandtl-number model for convection as a valid simplified model for convection at large Prandtl number even in the long-time regime. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Summer/Fall 2007, Nsu Oceanographic Center

Currents

No abstract provided.

Vitaly Ginzburg: The Last Classical Physicist, Vladimir Fridkin, Stephen Ducharme, Wolfgang Kleemann, Yoshihiro Ishibashi

Stephen Ducharme Publications

It is a great honor and responsibility to be Guest Editors for the special issue of Ferroelectrics, dedicated to the 90th Birthday of Nobel Prize Winner Prof. Vitaly Ginzburg. We have entitled our Guest Editorial “The Last Classical Physicist” because his creative work practically covers all regions of the modern physics: astronomy, astrophysics, cosmic rays, high spin elementary particles, quantum electrodynamics, solid state physics, including superconductivity and superfluidity, superdiamagnetism and ferrotoroics, crystallooptics and last (but for this journal not least) the theory of ferroelectricity and soft mode conception.

Other Voices, Other Ways, Better Practices: Bridging Local And Professional Environmental Knowledge, Kim M. Wilkinson, Susan G. Clark, William R. Burch

Yale School of the Environment Publications Series

No abstract provided.

Strategies For The Future Of Conservation, Bradford Gentry, Rebecca Sanborn, Gordon Clark

Yale School of the Environment Publications Series

2006 Berkley Workshop Summary and Background Materials

Potantico Conference Center, Tarrytown, New York, June 8-10, 2006 Hosted by The Land Trust Alliance and the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies

Application Of Triz Principles In Software Concepts, Umakant Mishra

Umakant Mishra

The Inventive Principles of TRIZ are not only applicable to mechanical or technical field; they are also applicable to Software solutions. Most of the 40 principles are easy to learn, but the question arises where to apply and how to apply. This article shows some simple examples of applying TRIZ principles.

Some people may ask, the solutions in this article are all known, what is the use of trying out TRIZ Principles on them. My answer is the art of problem solving is like learning a bicycle. If you are capable of riding the cycle on a known road, there …

Development Of Simulation-Based Environment For Multi-Echelon Cyclic Planning And Optimisation, Galina Merkuryeva, Liana Napalkova

Liana Napalkova

This paper focuses on the development of simulation-based environment for multi-echelon cyclic planning and optimisation in the product maturity phase. It is based on integration of analytical and simulation techniques. Analytical techniques are used to obtain initial planning decisions under conditions of stochastic demand and lead time, whereas simulation techniques extend these conditions to backlogging and capacity constraints. Simulation is used to analyse and improve cyclical decisions received from the analytical model. The proposed environment includes four components, such as database, process, optimisation and procedural one. Database component defines a supply chain network and its input parameters. Procedural component generates …

Adaptive Object Tracking Based On An Effective Appearance Filter, Hanzi Wang, David Suter, Konrad Schindler, Chunhua Shen

Chunhua Shen

We propose a similarity measure based on a Spatial-color Mixture of Gaussians (SMOG) appearance model for particle filters. This improves on the popular similarity measure based on color histograms because it considers not only the colors in a region but also the spatial layout of the colors. Hence, the SMOG-based similarity measure is more discriminative. To efficiently compute the parameters for SMOG, we propose a new technique with which the computational time is greatly reduced. We also extend our method by integrating multiple cues to increase the reliability and robustness. Experiments show that our method can successfully track objects in …

The Apostle Table - Part Iii - Incompetent Endogenous Response Intransitivity, David Randall Jenkins

David Randall Jenkins

The Apostle Table illustrates a New Testament encryption scheme revealed in the Book of Matthew. Specifically, the list of the twelve apostles in Matthew, 10:1-4, points to the Matthew, Chapters 8 and 9, disciple characterizations. The disciples metaphorically characterize the social choice theory aspect of the scripture writers' (ordered relations theory: social choice theory: welfare model) regression. The paper is written in two parts: I. The Exogenous Pressures; and, II. The Endogenous Response. Interestingly, the paper explains why the crucified Jesus could not get off the cross.

Comparing Taiwanese And American Wow Player Cultures In Terms Of Achievement, C. T. Sun, Chien Hsun Chen, J. L. Hsieh, H. Lin

Chien Hsun Chen

When analyzing Taiwanese and American market separation and online gaming cultures, sooner or later researchers hear the assertion that players in Taiwan emphasize achievement and players in the US emphasize recreation. This belief may explain why a significant number of Taiwanese World of Warcraft (WoW) players claim that they would rather connect to North American game servers to play. To determine the truth (if any) of this belief, we investigated behaviors, tendencies, and motivations between Taiwanese and American WoW players using data collected via WoW’s unique clientdesigned user interface feature. Data on level upgrade efficiency and participation in guild-organized raids …

A Computational Model Of Culture-Specific Conversational Behavior, Dusan Jan, David Herrera, Bilyana Martinovski, David G. Novick, David Traum

David G. Novick

This paper presents a model for simulating cultural differences in the conversational behavior of virtual agents. The model provides parameters for differences in proxemics, gaze and overlap in turn taking.We present a review of literature on these factors and show results of a study where native speakers of Nrth American English, Mexican Spanish and Arabic were asked to rate the realism of the simulations generated based on different cultural parameters with respect to their culture.

3d Data Merging Using Holoimage, Song Zhang, Shing-Tung Yau

Song Zhang

Three-dimensional data merging is critical for full-field 3-D shape measurement. 3-D range data patches, acquired either from different sensors or from the same sensor in different viewing angles, have to be merged into a single piece to facilitate future data analysis. In this research, we propose a novel method for 3-D data merging using Holoimage. Similar to the 3-D shape measurement system using a phase-shifting method, Holoimage is a phase-shifting-based computer synthesized fringe image. The virtual projector projects the phase-shifted fringe pattern onto the object, the reflected fringe images are rendered on the screen, and the Holoimage is generated by …

Linking Lithology And Land Use To Sources Of Dissolved And Particulate Organic Matter In Headwaters Of A Temperate, Passive-Margin River System, Steven T. Petsch, B. E. Longwortha, P. A. Raymond, J. E. Bauerc

Steven T. Petsch

A number of rivers have been found to transport highly aged organic matter [OM]; however, the sources of this aged material remain a matter of debate. One potential source may be erosion and weathering of headwater lithologies rich in ancient sedimentary OM. In this study, waters, suspended particulates, streambed sediments, rocks and soils from fourteen small headwater watersheds of a mid-size, temperate, passive margin river were sampled and characterized by Δ14C, δ13C, and POC/TPN ratios to identify sources of particulate and dissolved OM delivered to the river mainstem. These headwater sites encompass a range in lithology (OM-rich shales, OM-lean carbonate/mudstone …