Thesis (M.A.)--Wake Forest University. Dept. of Psychology , 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-47)

This thesis project investigated whether or not the use of an embedded system could help blackjack players to improve their game. This was done by designing and building a robot, that plays blackjack according to a card counting strategy. A robot prototype was built successfully, using a USB-camera to detect the cards and servo-motors to signal its playing decisions via hand gestures. Tests showed that the robot has a 1.4% edge over the house on average. However, due to high variance in the outcomes, the positive return found is non-significant. Recommendations of future work is proposed, including how both players and casinos can benefit from this project. / Detta examensarbete undersökte om ett inbyggt system kan hjälpa blackjackspelare att förbättra sitt spel. Detta gjordes genom att konstruera och bygga en robot, som spelar blackjack enligt en korträkningsstrategi. En robotprototyp byggdes med hjälp av en USB-kamera för att läsa av spelkorten, och servomotorer för att signalera spelbeslut genom handgester. Tester visade att roboten har i genomsnitt 1.4% fördel över huset. Dock är denna positiva avkastning icke-signifikant på grund av hög varians i utfallen. Rekommendationer om framtida arbete föreslås, som inkluderar hur både spelare och casinon kan dra nytta av detta projekt.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community. / Department of Psychological Science

Thesis (M.Eng.). / Written for the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/05/13). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 1993. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-88).

Thesis. 1977. B.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Bibliography : leaf 41. / by Aleksandar D. Lekic. / B.S.

MSCPNT / Department of Nutrition / Hypertension remains a major public health problem that needs different comprehensive health strategies to deal with it. Indigenous vegetables, Blackjack in particular, have been shown to possess anti-hypertensive properties that are attributed to bioactive chemical substances such as phytochemicals, fiber, antioxidants as well as micronutrients that include potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, zinc, iron and copper. The use of indigenous vegetables in combination with the conventional hypertension treatment may reduce hypertensive conditions; hence, the purpose of this study was to determine Blackjack nutritional knowledge and consumption by hypertensive patients. A cross-sectional study employing both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted on 275 hypertensive participants at Mphambo and Mutale Health Centers, Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ Blackjack nutritional knowledge, Blackjack availability around their households as well as their Blackjack consumption patterns and nutritional status. The Blackjack nutritional knowledge data was triangulated with focus group discussions and participants’ nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric and dietary intake methods. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and dietary intake frequency from selected foods was determined. Blood pressure was measured using Microlife automatic blood pressure monitor. The findings indicated that most hypertensive participants had poor knowledge of the nutritional importance of Blackjack and its associated medicinal contribution on hypertension management. Participants were unable to mention different diseases that can be prevented or managed by Blackjack, which was mostly consumed once a week with porridge during the summer season. Hypertensive patients were consuming high amounts of sodium and less amounts of minerals that are known to regulate blood pressure, such as potassium and magnesium. Hypertensive patients had high prevalence of overweight and obesity and most were either in hypertension stage 1 or stage 2. Lack of Blackjack nutritional knowledge may have contributed to a decreased consumption of Blackjack by hypertensive patients. The health professionals should promote the nutritional benefits of Blackjack in rural areas, particularly to hypertensive patients to raise awareness of Blackjack’s benefits in disease prevention and management. / NRF