Optimizing database systems to achieve the maximum attainable throughput of the underlying hardware is one of the many difficult tasks that face Database Administrators. With the increased use of database systems in many environments, this task has even become more difficult. One of the parameters that needs to be configured is the number of worker tasks that the database server uses (the multiprogramming level). This thesis will focus on how to automatically adjust the number of database server worker tasks to achieve maximum throughput under varying workload characteristics. The underlying intuition is that every workload has an optimal multiprogramming level that can achieve the best throughput given the workload characteristic.

Optimizing database systems to achieve the maximum attainable throughput of the underlying hardware is one of the many difficult tasks that face Database Administrators. With the increased use of database systems in many environments, this task has even become more difficult. One of the parameters that needs to be configured is the number of worker tasks that the database server uses (the multiprogramming level). This thesis will focus on how to automatically adjust the number of database server worker tasks to achieve maximum throughput under varying workload characteristics. The underlying intuition is that every workload has an optimal multiprogramming level that can achieve the best throughput given the workload characteristic.

Inspection of solder joint interconnection has been a crucial process in the electronics manufacturing industry to reduce manufacturing cost, improve yield, and ensure product quality and reliability. New inspection techniques are urgently needed to fill in the gap between available inspection capabilities and industry requirement of low-cost, fast-speed, and highly reliable inspection systems. The laser ultrasound inspection system under development aims to provide a solution that can overcome some of the limitations of current inspection techniques. Specifically, the fully developed system will be an automated system that is capable of inspecting hidden solder joints with multiple defect types. This research work includes the following aspects: 1) Inspection system integration and automation to improve system throughput and capability, system performance characterization by stability study and gage repeatability and reproducibility study , 2) Development and implementation of signal processing methods, including time-domain correlation coefficient analysis, auto-comparison method, and frequency-domain spectral estimation, to allow for fast and accurate interpretation of vibration signals, 3) Development of a finite element modal model followed by experimental validation. The modal analysis results indicate there are unique mode frequencies and mode shapes associated with certain solder joint defects, and 4) Study of the systems unique capability in detecting solder joint fatigue cracks.

Abstract Driven by shifting external environments, the fastener industry in Taiwan, the renowned ¡§Kingdom of Bolts and Nuts¡¨, has to move to the production of high value-added fasteners. Auto fastener, which comprises 40% of all fasteners used globally, is just one of the major high value-added products. As auto parts are highly related to human safety with most strict quality requirement, auto fastener usually belongs to the high price product. Taiwan¡¦s fastener industry, avoid being attacked front and rear, has started to transfer production from standard fastener to auto fastener four or five years ago, but fallen short of a successful across-the-board transition. A few successful fastener producers on an adequate scale include SANSHING FASTECH Corp., CHU HUA Industrial Co., YING MING Industrial Co., BOLTUN Corp. and etc. The subject of this paper is to identify the problems confronted by the industry in transition, whether upgrading needs to tackle very high threshold or the post-transition will lose competitiveness so how. The paper is to study the competing strategies of auto fastener industry in Taiwan through in-depth interview with professionals, academics, entrepreneurs and employees of the industrial to collect their viewpoints and experiences. Assisted by current competition theories, the paper also survey secondary information and relevant papers to analyze the following topics: 1. Current development of the auto fastener industry in Taiwan and its competing strength and weakness. 2. The predicaments confronted by Taiwan¡¦s auto fastener industry while going through upgrading and key factors for success 3. A trio support from industry, government, and academic to assist the collective development of auto fastener industry. The findings of the paper: 1. Through further study of relevant data and theory paper, it is surprising to find that the competitive analysis of fastener industry in Taiwan fits in with the Diamond System and Clustering Theory of Michael E. Porter, and it is of wide application. Also, it is mentioned in the Diamond theory that the influence of role play between industry and vi government is reciprocal. It is difficult to judge which side has more influence on the other. Different time and environment will stimulate and exercise various functions and growths for both sides. 2. The fastener industry in Taiwan has developed well in to a geographical cluster with firm base for development, but it must go on with industry upgrading and producing high value-added products. Although auto fastener is not the sole choice, it leaves a great deal of space for growth. The members in the industry should assess their capability and core competitiveness to choose among auto fastener, speciality fastener, 3C electronic, aerospace fastener,and etc. for a transitional development. 3. There is ample room for the development of the auto fastener industry in Taiwan. The surface coating treatment, production process certification, and sales channel connection are three major topics to discuss. However, being the upstream raw material supplier and the largest interrelated industry, China Steel Corporation assumes the most important role in material supply, R&D, and vertical industry integration. Therefore, it is firmly believed that CSC possesses the capability to supplement and prosper the fastener industry in Taiwan Keyword: Auto Fastener, Competing Strategy, Diamond Theory .

Three different topics associated with their respective applications are proposed in this thesis. The first application is the implementation of a PC-Based Vision Inspecting Machine. The Second topic is to carry out a advanced Auot-focusing technology. And the third topic is focused on the implementation of a Depth-from-Focus Technology.

Many researchers had developed polyphase sequences, so called ¡§perfect sequence¡¨ or ¡§ideal sequence¡¨, with ideal periodic auto-correlation function. There are lots of applications of communication system depends on the sequences with good auto-correlation property, i.e., synchronization, channel estimation and multiple access. These sequences cannot maintain the ideal property in implementation, because of the error of quantization in digital signal processing of transmitter. On the contrary, we develop a novel set of perfect sequences, Gaussian Integer Perfect Sequence (GIPS), which only contains Gaussian integers. In this paper, we construct them by linear combination and cyclic shift of the eight base sequences. We present the design and basic properties of the sequences. Furthermore, the design method of sequences with the smallest dynamic range is presented.

As a major project, this work studies the spoken word genre as a response to, and interpretation of, oppression and examine my own spoken word performance through the lens of narratology, narrative-making and auto-ethnography. This project is composed of two parts: a full-length spoken word performance and a curatorial analysis of this performance. While attempting to re-enact the trauma of oppression, this performance dually recognizes the impossibility within the task. Maurice Blanchot writes in The Writing of the Disaster, “The disaster, unexperienced. It is what escapes the very possibility of experience- it is the limit of writing. This must be repeated: the disaster de- scribes.” This project aims to perform the places of de-scription. In poems detailing experiences of trauma, racism, misogyny, and relationships, this spoken word performance will offer an account of the subject for whom the act of narration is subversive. In this, the performance is self-aware and self-reflective; it communicates experiences for which the language to describe such experiences is either unavailable or nonexistent. The continuous theme of ‘home’ is maintained throughout the performance- how its absence marks the absence of the oppressed subject, how its absence implies the absence of language for the subject, and how spoken word can begin the outlining of a narrative, a foundation, for the subject. My accompanying curatorial paper will examine similar themes. As spoken word is an art form deeply linked to activism, my paper will begin with an analysis of how this art has taken place, what its role has been in community development, and how it continues to function as a teaching tool. My paper argues that spoken word is instrumental in tying learning to voice; by offering young people a medium that both gives them a forum to voice the issues directly impacting their lives, while giving them a means of developing skills in language, presentation and communicating ideas effectively, spoken word acts as a unique and important teaching tool. / Thesis (Master, Cultural Studies) -- Queen's University, 2014-01-07 02:07:39.286

In 2008, the Manitoba government implemented an electronic monitoring (EM) project for high-risk automobile theft offenders. To evaluate this program, youth in the program were matched with other high-risk auto theft offenders who had not been put on EM. Dimensions including characteristics, daily contacts and criminal histories were examined between groups. Interviews were also conducted with offenders who had been on EM and with program staff and stakeholders. The results of the evaluation indicated a small change in criminal history for the EM group for auto theft, technical and combined offenses. Since the Winnipeg Auto Theft Suppression Strategy (WATSS) began in 2005, there has been a decrease of approximately 11,000 auto thefts. Notably, only a very small part of this number could be attributed to the EM program. Electronic monitoring as an intervention can be a complementary program when offered in accompaniment with other WATSS and Manitoba Youth Correctional Services (MYCS) programs.

Pour faire face à l'épuisement des combustibles fossiles conventionnels et aux préoccupationsenvironnementales dont le réchauffement climatique, de nouveaux carburants issus de la biomasse sontutilisés purs ou comme co-carburants ; d'autres sont envisagés pour le futur. Une meilleure connaissance dela cinétique chimique d'oxydation des composés présents dans ces carburants alternatifs est indispensable.L'objectif de cette thèse est donc d'obtenir de nouvelles bases de données expérimentales et d'élaborer desmécanismes cinétiques d'oxydation des constituants de ces nouveaux carburants. Des molécules de deuxfamilles chimiques, à savoir les esters méthyliques et les alcools, ont été sélectionnées. L'oxydation de cescomposés purs ou en mélanges a été étudiée en réacteur auto-agité à haute pression (10 atm) et dans un largedomaine de températures (530-1250 K) et de richesses (ca. 0,3-4). Les profils de concentration des réactifs,produits et principaux intermédiaires stables ont été obtenus par spectroscopie d'absorption infrarouge àtransformée de Fourier (IRTF) et chromatographie en phase gazeuse (GC-FID-TCD-MS). Les résultatsobtenus ont permis de proposer des modèles cinétiques permettant de simuler avec un bon accord une grandepartie des résultats expérimentaux obtenus au cours de cette thèse. Les analyses cinétiques ont permis dedéterminer les principales voies de consommation de ces composés (principalement des mécanismes deperoxydation-isomérisation à basse température et de métathèse puis décomposition par β-scission à hautetempérature). Elles ont permis d'identifier les réactions les plus influentes (réactions de métathèse etréactions impliquant particulièrement les composés de la base C0-C2).

The purpose of this auto-ethnographic and art-based study is to examine how the experiences throughout my life have influenced my practice as an artist. It is within the context of a socially constructed past and present place that I will explore my own process in terms of collaboration and the implications for an artist-teacher, or teaching artist. I reflect upon how my values and philosophy as an art educator have been formed from the synthesis of my experiences. My relationships with a gallery, its clients, and a fellow artist provide the context for reflecting about my process and gaining insights into my potential role as a model and influence on my future students.