Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Real-Time Anomaly Detection In Full Motion Video, Glenn Konowicz,, Jiang Li, Donnie Self (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Improvement in sensor technology such as charge-coupled devices (CCD) as well as constant incremental improvements in storage space has enabled the recording and storage of video more prevalent and lower cost than ever before. However, the improvements in the ability to capture and store a wide array of video have required additional manpower to translate these raw data sources into useful information. We propose an algorithm for automatically detecting anomalous movement patterns within full motion video thus reducing the amount of human intervention required to make use of these new data sources. The proposed algorithm tracks all of the objects …

Cooperation As A Service In Vanet: Implementation And Simulation Results, Hajar Mousannif, Ismail Khalil, Stephan Olariu

Computer Science Faculty Publications

The past decade has witnessed the emergence of Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANET), specializing from the well-known Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET) to Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) wireless communications. While the original motivation for Vehicular Networks was to promote traffic safety, recently it has become increasingly obvious that Vehicular Networks open new vistas for Internet access, providing weather or road condition, parking availability, distributed gaming, and advertisement. In previous papers [27,28], we introduced Cooperation as a Service (CaaS); a new service-oriented solution which enables improved and new services for the road users and an optimized use of the road network …

Learning Sparse Representations For Fruit Fly Gene Expression Pattern Image Annotation And Retreival, Lei Yuan, Alexander Woodard, Shuiwang Ji, Yuan Jiang, Zhi-Hua Zhou, Sudhir Kumar, Jieping Ye

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Background: Fruit fly embryogenesis is one of the best understood animal development systems, and the spatiotemporal gene expression dynamics in this process are captured by digital images. Analysis of these high-throughput images will provide novel insights into the functions, interactions, and networks of animal genes governing development. To facilitate comparative analysis, web-based interfaces have been developed to conduct image retrieval based on body part keywords and images. Currently, the keyword annotation of spatiotemporal gene expression patterns is conducted manually. However, this manual practice does not scale with the continuously expanding collection of images. In addition, existing image retrieval systems based …

On A Versatile Stochastic Growth Model, Samiur Arif, Ismail Khalil, Stephan Olariu

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Growth phenomena are ubiquitous and pervasive not only in biology and the medical sciences, but also in economics, marketing and the computer and social sciences. We introduce a three-parameter version of the classic pure-birth process growth model when suitably instantiated, can be used to model growth phenomena in many seemingly unrelated application domains. We point out that the model is computationally attractive since it admits of conceptually simple, closed form solutions for the time-dependent probabilities.

Momcmc: An Efficient Monte Carlo Method For Multi-Objective Sampling Over Real Parameter Space, Yaohang Li

Computer Science Faculty Publications

In this paper, we present a new population-based Monte Carlo method, so-called MOMCMC (Multi-Objective Markov Chain Monte Carlo). for sampling in the presence of multiple objective functions in real parameter space. The MOMCMC method is designed to address the "multi-objective sampling" problem, which is not only of interest in exploring diversified solutions at the Pareto optimal front in the function space of multiple objective functions, but also those near the front. MOMCMC integrates Differential Evolution (DE) style crossover into Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to adaptively propose new solutions from the current population. The significance of dominance is taken into …

Profiles In Science: John Bennett Fenn, Kimberly Brady, Roy Brown, Emily Johnson, Shannon D. Jones, Margaret Henderson, Dana Ladd, Irene Lubker, Jennifer A. Mcdaniel

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

“Don’t ever try to be a scientist or engineer!” Had John Bennett Fenn listened to this advice given by his ninth grade teacher, he might not have gone on to pursue a career in analytical chemistry which would culminate in the attainment of the Nobel Prize in 2002. Gathered from interviews, publication analyses, glowing tributes, and his reminiscences, this paper outlines the academic and professional life of John Fenn from childhood through the end of his career in 2010.

Myctophid Feeding Ecology And Carbon Transport Along The Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Jeanna M. Hudson

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) is the largest topographic feature in the Atlantic Ocean, yet little is known about the food web structure and trophic ecology of fishes inhabiting mesopelagic waters along the MAR. To better understand the food web structure and to compare the feeding ecology of abundant MAR fishes to those in offridge areas, MAR-ECO, a Mid-Atlantic Ridge ecosystem field project of the Census of Marine Life, sampled the pelagic fauna of the northern MAR (Iceland to the Azores) during June-July, 2004. Samples were collected with two midwater trawls outfitted with multiple opening and closing cod ends to sample …

Interannual And Regional Differences In Krill And Fish Prey Quality Along The Western Antarctic Peninsula, Kate E. Ruck

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Polar zooplankton and fish safeguard against the seasonality of food availability by using the summer months to build large reserves of lipids, which in turn are utilized to meet the metabolic demands of apex predators such as penguins, seals, and whales. A warming trend in the northern part of the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) has led to a decrease in perennial and summer sea ice, an increase in heat content over the shelf, and lower phytoplankton biomass, which could affect prey quality. We compared prey quality, including elemental (C, N) content and ratios, total, neutral, and polar lipid content, and …

Quantifying Watershed Loads To A Low Relief, Coastal Plain Estuary, The New River Estuary, N.C, Brittani J. Koroknay

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Watershed modeling is an important tool for quantifying the inputs of fresh water, sediments, and nutrients into receiving estuaries and potential changes in those loads under scenarios including changes in land use and climate. There are a variety of existing watershed loading models available, from simple to complex, but a spectrum of these models have yet to be applied and compared in a low relief, coastal plain setting. This project has been conducted as part of the Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program (DCERP), which has focused on the impact of Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune (MCBCL) and activities in the surrounding …

Relationships Among Fine Sediment Settling And Suspension, Bed Erodibility, And Particle Type In The York River Estuary, Virginia, Kelsey A. Fall

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In order to understand the processes controlling the temporal variability in settling velocity (Ws) and bed erodibility (ε), in the middle reaches of the York River estuary, VA, the relationships between the hydrodynamics and particle types were investigated with a near-­‐bed Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) and the York River 3-­‐D Hydrodynamic Cohesive Bed Model.

ADV observations of the flow characteristics that occurred over a strong temporal transition period indicated that Ws and ε were characterized by two distinct regimes with contrasting sediment and water column characteristics: (i) a physically-­‐dominated regime (Regime 1) which was a period dominated by flocculated muds …

Evaluating The Impact Of Stock Structure Uncertainty In Stock Assessments Of Sailfish In The Atlantic Ocean, Catarina Wor Lima

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Shedding Light On The Estuarine Coastal Filter: The Relative Importance Of Benthic Macroalgae In Shallow Photic Systems, Johnathan Daniel Maxey

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Seed Burial In The Seagrass Zostera Marina: The Role Of Infauna, Natalia J. Blackburn

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In terrestrial systems, seed burial is widely recognized as a vital process that influences small- and large-scale plant population patterns. Despite its demonstrated importance in terrestrial literature, very little is known about seed burial in seagrasses. Zostera marina is a perennial seagrass found in northern temperate oceans worldwide, and is the dominant seagrass found in the Chesapeake Bay. In terrestrial systems, seed burial is frequently mediated by soil-dwelling invertebrates. The goal of this work was to determine the role that benthic infauna play in the burial of Z. marina seeds by addressing the following questions: 1. Are seeds on sediments …

Habitat Utilization And Trophic Interactions By Fauna In A Shallow Estuary: Comparisons Between Clam Aquaculture And Natural Sites, Lara Gates Kling

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Aquaculture of the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, has steadily increased in the United States over the past 25 years. In some areas, including along Virginia’s coast, this industry has grown to such a scale that aquaculture systems now exist as agroecosystems within coastal waters. Several features of these aquaculture systems, such as high clam densities and protective mesh netting, may modify the availability of habitat, food, and nutrients and may be expected to affect benthic and nektonic community structure. Few studies, however, have evaluated these effects. We conducted seasonal (May – September) sampling in a tidal tributary of Chesapeake Bay …

Evaluating Persistent Organic Pollutants (Pops) And Mercury In The West Antarctic Peninsula (Wap) Food Web, With A Focus On Antarctic Fur Seals (Arctocephalus Gazella), Emily K. Brault

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Mobile Animals As A Potential Dispersal Mechanism In Zostera Marina (Eelgrass), Sarah E. Sumoski

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Salinity Pulses Of Varying Duration And Intensity On Three Freshwater Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Species, Rebecca Wright

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

A Community-Based Participatory Assessment Of Fish Consumption And Dietary Mercury Exposure Along The Lower James River, Virginia Usa, Erica Lynnette Holloman

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The use of community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods to conduct environmental exposure assessments provides valuable insight about disparities in fish consumption and contaminant exposure. Ninety-five community-specific fish consumption surveys were administered to low-income African American women (ages 16--49) residing in the Southeast community of Newport News, Virginia, USA, in 2008. The mean fish consumption rate for the women surveyed was 147.8 g/day (95% CI: 117.6-185.8), a rate substantially higher than the mean fish consumption rate reported for U.S. women (1.8 g/day 95% CI: 1.51-2.04). Through collaborative partnerships established between current researchers and The Moton Community House (a local community center), …

Effects Of Anthropogenic Stressors And Changes In Biodiversity On Lower Chesapeake Bay, Va Usa Seagrass Systems, Rachael E. Blake

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Anthropogenic stressors are increasingly changing conditions in coastal areas and impacting important habitats. But, when multiple stressors act simultaneously, their effects on ecosystems become more difficult to predict. In Chesapeake Bay, USA, predictions suggest that anthropogenic stressors from climate change, such as warming temperatures, may increase the frequency and severity of storm events, leading to increased freshwater, nutrient, and sediment inputs. Coastal development, another source of anthropogenic stressors, continues to increase with growing coastal populations, and may lead to altered sediment characteristics, habitat fragmentation, altered food webs, and loss of vegetated habitats. Community processes may interact with stressors, for example, …

A Case Study In The Effectiveness Of Marine Protected Areas (Mpas): The Islands Of Bonaire And Curacao, Dutch Caribbean, Noelle J. Relles

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The islands of Bonaire and Curacao, Dutch Caribbean, were both mapped along their leeward coasts for dominant coral community and other benthic cover in the early 1980s. This mapping effort offers a unique baseline for comparing changes in the benthic community of the two islands since that time, particularly given the marked differences between the two islands. Bonaire is well-protected and completely surrounded by a marine protected area (MPA), which includes two no-diving marine reserves; additionally, Bonaire's population is only around 15,000. In contrast, the island of Curacao is home to 140,000 inhabitants and marine protection is limited, with a …

Measurement Of Single And Double Spin Asymmetries In P(E, E' Pi(+/-,0))X Semi-Inclusive Deep-Inelastic Scattering, Sucheta Shrikant Jawalkar

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Measurements in the late 1980s at CERN revealed that quark spins account for a small fraction of the proton's spin. This so-called spin crisis spurred a number of new experiments to identify the proton's silent spin contributors, namely, the spin of the gluons, which hold the quarks together, and the orbital angular momentum of both quarks and gluons. One such experiment was eg1-dvcs at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, Va., which ran in 2009 and collected approximately 19 billion electron triggers for hydrogen. I will present new measurements of the single and double-spin asymmetries ALU, AUL …

The First Direct Measurement Of The Weak Charge Of The Proton, John Poague Leckey Iv

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Qweak is an experiment currently running at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility that uses parity-violating elastic electron-proton scattering to measure the weak charge of the proton QPweak . Longitudinally polarized electrons are scattered off a liquid hydrogen target and pass through a toroidal-field magnetic spectrometer. This experiment is a sensitive test for physics beyond the Standard Model, as QPweak is well predicted in the Standard Model. This dissertation describes the first direct measurement of QPweak . The precision that will be generated by the final 4% measurement will allow the probing of certain classes of new physics up to …

Thermochemistry Of Amino Acids And Constrained Diamines, Erica Jane Tullo

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The gas-phase proton affinities of several highly basic amino acids and diamines were determined using the extended kinetic method in an ESI-quadrupole ion trap instrument. The non-protein amino acid L-canavanine is structurally related to L-arginine with an oxygen substituted for the terminal methylene group of L-arginine and is highly toxic to humans. The proton affinity of L-arginine, a protein amino acid, was determined to be 1036 kJ mol -1, whereas the proton affinity of L-canavanine was determined to be 1005 kJ mol-1. Thus, substitution of an oxyguanidino group for the guanidine group in L-arginine results in a large decrease in …

Dark Matter In The Heavens And At Colliders: Models And Constraints, Reinard Primulando

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In this dissertation, we investigate various aspects of dark matter detection and model building. Motivated by the cosmic ray positron excess observed by PAMELA, we construct models of decaying dark matter to explain the excess. Specifically we present an explicit, TeV-scale model of decaying dark matter in which the approximate stability of the dark matter candidate is a consequence of a global symmetry that is broken only by instanton-induced operators generated by a non-Abelian dark gauge group. Alternatively, the decaying operator can arise as a Planck suppressed correction in a model with an Abelian discrete symmetry and vector-like states at …

Understanding And Leveraging Virtualization Technology In Commodity Computing Systems, Duy Le

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Commodity computing platforms are imperfect, requiring various enhancements for performance and security purposes. In the past decade, virtualization technology has emerged as a promising trend for commodity computing platforms, ushering many opportunities to optimize the allocation of hardware resources. However, many abstractions offered by virtualization not only make enhancements more challenging, but also complicate the proper understanding of virtualized systems. The current understanding and analysis of these abstractions are far from being satisfactory. This dissertation aims to tackle this problem from a holistic view, by systematically studying the system behaviors. The focus of our work lies in performance implication and …

Surface Impedance Of Superconducting Radio Frequency (Srf) Materials, Binping Xiao

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Superconducting radio frequency (SRF) technology is widely adopted in particle accelerators. There remain many open questions, however, in developing a systematic understanding of the fundamental behavior of SRF materials, including niobium treated in different ways and various other bulk/thin film materials that are fabricated with different methods under assorted conditions. A facility that can measure the SRF properties of small samples in a range of 2∼40 K temperature is needed in order to fully answer these questions. The Jefferson Lab surface impedance characterization (SIC) system has been designed to attempt to meet this requirement. It consists of a sapphire-loaded cylindrical …

Towards Confident Body Sensor Networking, Zhen Ren

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

With the recent technology advances of wireless communication and lightweight low-power sensors, Body Sensor Network (BSN) is made possible. More and more researchers are interested in developing numerous novel BSN applications, such as remote health/fitness monitoring, military and sport training, interactive gaming, personal information sharing, and secure authentication. Despite the unstable wireless communication, various confidence requirements are placed on the BSN networking service. This thesis aims to provide Quality of Service (QoS) solutions for BSN communication, in order to achieve the required confidence goals.;We develop communication quality solutions to satisfy confidence requirements from both the communication and application levels, in …

Supersymmetric Leptophilic Models Of Electroweak Symmetry Breaking, Gardner Rush Marshall

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Over the years, the Standard Model has proved itself to be an extremely durable theory. In spite of its success, very few empirical clues have emerged about the nature of the electroweak symmetry breaking that lies at its heart. With results from the LHC around the corner, this will hopefully change soon. In this dissertation we examine several possibilities for electroweak symmetry breaking and discuss various extensions to the Standard Model to resolve known problems. We begin by providing a brief overview of electroweak symmetry breaking, two Higgs doublet models, and supersymmetry. We then present a supersymmetric model that allows …

Studies Of Polarized And Unpolarized Helium -3 In The Presence Of Alkali Vapor, Kelly Anita Kluttz

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

At the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, glass target cells containing a high density of highly polarized 3He nuclei are used in electron scattering experiments studying the substructure of the neutron. In addition to 3He, these cells contain a small amount of rubidium (Rb), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N2), which facilitate the polarization process. The work presented here represents studies of the interactions between the alkali vapor and 3He nuclei when both are polarized and unpolarized.;Our investigations into the mechanisms responsible for the relaxation of the 3He polarization have measured unusually large polarization losses. In addition, most cells studied exhibited …

Automated Reductions Of Markov Chain Models Of Calcium Release Site Models, Yan Hao

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Markov chain models have played an important role in understanding the relationship between single channel gating of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) channels, specifically 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) and ryanodine receptors (RyRs), and the stochastic dynamics of Ca2+ release events, known as Ca2+ puffs and sparks. Mechanistic Ca2+ release site models are defined by the composition of single channel models whose transition probabilities depend on the local calcium concentration and thus the state of the other channels. Unfortunately, the large state space of such compositional models impedes simulation and computational analysis of the whole cell Ca2+ signaling in which the stochastic dynamics of …