African American women compose a critical proportion of the potential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce of the future, yet are disproportionately represented and largely underutilized. While various programs and initiatives have been designed and implemented to target women and underrepresented minorities, the voices and experiences of African American women have been insufficiently heard or studied. This study investigates the experiences of four African American female students who participated in a 10-week undergraduate research experience (URE) program designed for the recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM disciplines. Through autobiographical narratives and interviews participants shared how and in what ways the URE program influenced their career development (namely academic/career interests and choices), what they learned about their interests and choices, and what it means to them to be African American women pursuing science-related careers. Using a qualitative case study analysis, this study focuses on the unique stories of young African-American women participating in their own career development. Seven major themes emerged from the analysis of the data. Each of the participants initially entered the URE with an established interest in science, with an expressed desire for research experience, and with an interest in exploring career options in science. Through their involvement in the URE program, participants experienced a significant increase in self-knowledge and confidence, recognized the existence of social and/or science communities, and either discovered or clarified career interests and possibilities. All participants recognized value in their participation and expressed gratitude for having had the opportunity. Overall, the URE program provided a vital opportunity for participants to play an active role in their own career development. The results of this study emphasize the importance of and need to expand the URE as an avenue for career development and exploration in order to address the lack of such programming for African American women in STEM disciplines.

Typical consumer digital cameras capture the scene by generating a mosaic-like grayscale image, known as a color filter array (CFA) image. One obvious challenge in digital photography is the storage of image, which requires the development of an efficient compression solution. This issue has become more significant due to a growing demand for high dynamic range (HDR) imaging technology, which requires increased bandwidth to allow realistic presentation of visual scene. This thesis proposes two digital camera pipelines, efficiently encoding CFA image data represented in HDR format. Firstly, a lossless compression scheme exploiting a predictive coding followed by a JPEG XR encoding module is introduced. It achieves efficient data reduction without loss of quality. Secondly, a lossy compression scheme that consists of a series of processing operations and a JPEG XR encoding module is introduced. Performance evaluation indicates that the proposed method delivers high quality images at low computational costs.

Typical consumer digital cameras capture the scene by generating a mosaic-like grayscale image, known as a color filter array (CFA) image. One obvious challenge in digital photography is the storage of image, which requires the development of an efficient compression solution. This issue has become more significant due to a growing demand for high dynamic range (HDR) imaging technology, which requires increased bandwidth to allow realistic presentation of visual scene. This thesis proposes two digital camera pipelines, efficiently encoding CFA image data represented in HDR format. Firstly, a lossless compression scheme exploiting a predictive coding followed by a JPEG XR encoding module is introduced. It achieves efficient data reduction without loss of quality. Secondly, a lossy compression scheme that consists of a series of processing operations and a JPEG XR encoding module is introduced. Performance evaluation indicates that the proposed method delivers high quality images at low computational costs.

Object and tasks of work: 1. Analyse and summarize literature about horse coat color and it genetic background. 2. Perform phenotypical analysis of Lithuanian Heavy Darught horse coat color polymorphism. 3. Introduce horse MC1R gene research methodology at K. Janušauskas Laboratory of Animal Genetics, LVA. 4. Investigate MC1R gene polymorphism and distribution of different alleles at Lithuanian heavy draught by PCR-RFLP method. 5. Determine correlation between restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (RFLP) in MC1R gene and horse bay coat color polymorhism. Research methodology: 1. DNA extraction from hair roots. 2. PCR to amplify MC1R gene. 3. RFLP method-MC1R – enzyme Tag I. 3. Electrophoresis in agarose gel. 4. Staining with Etidium bromide. 5. Genotyping. 6. Stasitical analysis of data. Results and conclutions: The following DNA restriction fragments were obtained for the MC1R – Tag I polymorphism: PCR product - 460 bp; genotypes E/E; ea/ea – 460 bp; genotypes e/e – 275 bp; 185 bp; genotypes E/e; e/ea – 460 bp; 275 bp; 185 bp. After phenotypical investigation of coat color from 32 Lithuanian Heavy draught horses following variation have been found: light bay, bay, dark bay, roan and chesnut. Light bay horses with different intensivity of coat color comprised 84,4 %. From total investigated animals 34.4 % had e/e genotype, E/e – 12.5 %, e/ea - 50 % and E/E genotype – 3.1 %. Two different genotypes e/e (40.7 %) and e/ea (59.3) were found among bay color horses... [to full text]

An automated prototype variable rate (VR) sprayer was developed for control of eight individual nozzles on a 6.1 m sprayer boom for spot-application (SA) of agrochemicals in wild blueberry fields. The VR control system consisted of eight ultrasonic sensors and four cameras mounted on a separate boom in front of the ATV, flow controller, VR controller, ruggedized computer, flow valve and solenoid valves. Custom software was capable of processing the images to detect weeds or plants in real-time and automatically send a signal to the VR controller for SA at the correct target. The performance of VR sprayer for SA on weeds (herbicide) and foliage (fungicide) was evaluated in commercial wild blueberry fields. Based on the results of this study, the VR sprayer was reliable, efficient and accurate enough for SA of agrochemicals. The average volume of chemical saved with SA was 70 % herbicide and 30 % fungicide.

The radiance distribution provides complete information regarding the geometrical structure of the ambient light field within the ocean. A quantitative study of the radiance field in the dynamic ocean water is presented in this thesis work. The study starts with the development of a novel radiance camera for the measurement of the full spherical radiance distribution at the ocean surface and depth. Nonlinear response functions are designed and advanced radiometric calibrations are developed. The resulting camera measures the radiance distribution in absolute units over an extremely high dynamic range at fast rates. With the newly obtained radiance data, I have examined the fine structure of both the downwelling and upwelling radiance distribution and its variation with depth in optically diverse water types. The fully specified radiance distribution data are used to derive all apparent optical properties and some inherent optical properties including the absorption coefficient. With the camera fixed at shallow depths, I have observed and determined the sea surface wave disturbance of the radiance distribution. It is found that the radiance fluctuates anisotropically with regard to its amplitude and periodicity. Typical spatial structures of the dynamic radiance field are identified and shown relevant to the surface waves and the solar zenith angles. The variability in the radiance field also propagates to the irradiance field; the variability is pronounced in measured irradiance depth profiles in the upper layers of the ocean. The statistics of the irradiance fluctuations along the water depth, including the dominant frequency and coefficient of variation, are derived using wavelet techniques and fitted to novel analytic models. The results from the irradiance depth-profile decomposition are in agreement with theoretical models and other independent measurements. This thesis work represents the first attempt to quantify the full light field and its variability in dynamic ocean waters and is of significant relevance to many other optics-related applications.

Baigiamajame magistro darbe ištirtas ofsetinių dažų poveikis skirtingų popierių struktūrinėms, optinėms ir mechaninėms savybėms. Atliktas palyginimas tarp balto popieriaus, nepadengto dažų sluoksniu, su atspaudais, padengtais keturiais skirtingais dažų sluoksnio storiais. Nustatyta, kurie popieriai esant tam tikram dažų sluoksnio storiui turi mažiausią bei didžiausią atsparumą mechaninėms savybėms, blogiausias ir geriausias optines savybes. Eksperimentiškai ištirtos šešių popierių, ofsetinių atspaudų trinties savybės ir nustatyti statinės ir kinetinės trinties koeficientai. Nustatytos šių koeficientų vertės tarp popieriaus ir popieriaus, tarp popieriaus ir atspaudo ir tarp atspaudo ir atspaudo. Darbo apimtis – 67 teksto be priedų, 45 iliustracijos ir 2 lentelės. / The thesis investigated inks effects of the different papers structural, optical and mechanical properties. Performed comparison between the white paper, uncoated inks layer, with printed, coated in four different inks thickness. It was found which papers and with which kind of coated inks thickness have minimum and maximum resistance of mechanical properties, the best and the worst optical properties. Experimentally investigated six different papers and offset prints friction properties and determined the static and kinetic coefficients of friction. These coefficients determined between the paper and the paper, the paper and print, and the print and print. Space of works – 67 pages of text without additions, 45 figures, 2 tables.

Dažnai ieškoti bendraminčių ir burtis į muzikinį kolektyvą skatina nuogirdos apie ypatingus, visiškai kitokius muzikuojančių žmonių santykius. Todėl šiame tyrime siekta sužinoti, kokie yra sutrikusio intelekto suaugusiųjų muzikinio ugdymo ypatumai grupėje „Spalvų orkestro” atveju. Tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti sutrikusio intelekto suaugusiųjų muzikavimo kolektyve ypatumus. Uždaviniai - teoriškai pagrįsti sutrikusio intelekto suaugusiųjų muzikinio ugdymo grupėje prielaidas, ištirti sutrikusio intelekto suaugusiųjų muzikinio ugdymo „Spalvų orkestre“ ypatumus ir išsiaiškinti sutrikusio intelekto suaugusiųjų tėvų/globėjų požiūrį į kolektyvinį muzikavimą. Tyrimas buvo atliktas Vilniaus „Spalvų orkestre“, kuriame groja sutrikusio intelekto suaugusieji. Tyrimo metu buvo apklausti „Spalvų orkestro“ vadovai, orkestro narių tėvai ir patys orkestro nariai. Taikyti stebėjimo, interviu ir anketinės apklausos raštu metodai. Tyrimo metu išaiškėjo, jog Lietuvoje skatinamas mokymasis visą gyvenimą, ypač svarbus negalią turintiems suaugusiems. „Spalvų orkestro“ lankymas padeda sutrikusio intelekto suaugusiems integruotis į visuomenę, skatina neįgaliųjų iniciatyvą, formuoja jų socialinius įgūdžius. Pastebėta, kad lankant „Spalvų orkestro“ repeticijas, orkestro nariai išmoksta groti muzikos instrumentu, pažinti natas, lavina dainavimo, grojimo, ritmo pojūčio įgūdžius, klausą, mokosi išreikšti emocijas pagal muzikinį kūrinį, susipažįsta su muzikiniais terminais ir juos naudoja muzikuojant... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Often find partners in musical ensemble encourages rumor about a special, completely different musicians human relations. Therefore, this study aimed to find out what is mentally retarded adult music education characteristics of "Color Orchestra“ case study. The aim - analyze music collective features of mentally retarded adults. Tasks - theoretically justify music education of mentally retarded adult group assumptions, explore the music education features of mentally retarded adult in "Color Orchestra“ and find out the approach of parents/ guardians about „Color Orchestra“ features. The study was carried out in Vilnius „Color Orchestra“, which plays mentally retarded adults. The study has been questioned "Color Orchestra" leaders, members of the orchestra parents and band members. Apply observation, interviews and a written questionnaire methods. The study revealed that Lithuania promote lifelong learning, critical disability in adults. "Color Orchestra“ visits to help adults with intellectual disabilities to integrate into society, promotes disability initiative forms, their social skills. It is noted that while visiting "Color Orchestra“ rehearsals, orchestra members learn to play a musical instrument, read music, develop singing, playing, sense of rhythm skills, hearing, learn to express emotions by musical composition, familiar with musical terms and use them while playing. Mentally retarded adults make friends, gain more skills to communicate in a group, to manage... [to full text]

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<p><font face="TimesNewRomanPSMT"> <p align="left">The aim of this study was to investigate the color stability of two provisional restorative materials used in crown and bridge cases upon exposure to different tea staining solutions and to evaluate the effectiveness of a polishing technique in removing the tea stains from the stained provisional restorative materials.</p> </font></p>