This thesis implements a novel distributed, deterministic algorithm for as few unmanned agents as possible to detect and cover as many static targets of unknown location as possible. This algorithm, Pruning-Perception-Decision (PPD), strikes the balance of exploration versus exploitation by maximizing the number of targets covered by each agent. Agents can cover only one grouping of targets at a time and continue exploring until they find an uncovered target. In doing so, agents' search area is discretized into a grid, where the average percent coverage of each tile is monitored with respect to each agent's field-of-view. Once all agents are covering targets and the average area-coverage value stabilizes, PPD terminates. Alternately, if all targets are found and there exist additional explorer agents, PPD terminates when a time threshold is reached. Simulations show that implementing PPD results in faster convergence than the state-of-the-art by nearly an order of magnitude as well as improved target coverage. Additionally, results of a second demonstration suggest that PPD could be applied to targets appearing and disappearing. / Master of Science / In this thesis, a new process is proposed that uses as few agents as possible to detect and cover as many target points as possible; such configurations can be applied to defense, search-and-rescue, and environmental relief missions, to name a few. This thesis focuses on a scenario where autonomous agents aim to locate and cover as many unknown targets in the world as possible using as few agents as possible. To reach this goal, a new algorithm is formulated, Pruning-Perception-Decision (PPD), which involves detecting and covering static targets whose number and location are unknown to agents in advance. Specifically, some of these agents travel to unvisited regions of a square world to find targets while remaining agents cover known targets. In most cases, agents will find and cover all targets. When there are fewer agents than targets, however, agents may cover the the same number of targets as there are agents, at least, or may cover all targets in the search space, at most. The number of targets covered in this case depends on how spread apart the targets are in the world with respect to agents' field-of-view. Otherwise, when there are equal numbers of agents and targets in the search space, agents are guaranteed to find and cover all targets. In simulations, PPD was shown to perform significantly better than a similar state-of-the-art algorithm. A second demonstration shows that PPD may also be applied when targets appear and disappear.

This dissertation focuses on the path planning of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms under distributed and hybrid control scenarios. It presents two such models and analyzes them both from theory and practice. In the first method, a distributed formation control strategy for UAV swarm based on consensus law is presented. This model makes use of the fundamental concepts of leader-follower structure, social potential functions, and algebraic graph theory to jointly address flocking and de-confliction in the formation control problem. The impact of network topology on formation control is analyzed. It is shown that the degree distribution of the network representing the multi-agent system defines the rate at which formation is attained. Conditions for convergence and stability are derived. In the second method, a hybrid framework for path planning and coverage area by UAV swarms is presented. This strategy significantly improves the current labor-intensive and resource-constraint operations in aquaculture farms. To monitor the farms periodically, an optimized back-and-forth flight path based on the Shamos algorithm is utilized. A trajectory tracking strategy for UAV swarms under uncertain wind conditions is presented.

In Ethiopia people are highly dependent on natural resources which often lead to environmental degradation. The perception is that environmental degradation is partly due to lack of environmental awareness. The level of environmental awareness and the role of the media in creating awareness in Kembata Tembaro Administrative zone were investigated. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used to identify sources of environmental knowledge, content, spatial extent, volume and priority of media coverage, impact of media, and expectation of audiences and producers. Experience, rather than outside sources, such as provided by the media, is the main source of environmental information, but awareness is key to reduce further environmental degradation. Environmental media programs should be transmitted at suitable times and the experiences of successful farmers in natural resources conservation and development should be shared. Attention should also be given to identification of awareness obstacles and training and sensitizing of journalists on environment issues

In Ethiopia people are highly dependent on natural resources which often lead to environmental degradation. The perception is that environmental degradation is partly due to lack of environmental awareness. The level of environmental awareness and the role of the media in creating awareness in Kembata Tembaro Administrative zone were investigated. Quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used to identify sources of environmental knowledge, content, spatial extent, volume and priority of media coverage, impact of media, and expectation of audiences and producers. Experience, rather than outside sources, such as provided by the media, is the main source of environmental information, but awareness is key to reduce further environmental degradation. Environmental media programs should be transmitted at suitable times and the experiences of successful farmers in natural resources conservation and development should be shared. Attention should also be given to identification of awareness obstacles and training and sensitizing of journalists on environment issues

From 1950-1980, women's intercollegiate athletic programs experienced exponential growth, with newspapers rarely detailing the journey until Title IX passed in 1972. This project examined how women's athletics developed at North Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota, and Minnesota State University Moorhead, as well as the correlating press coverage. Articles from two regional newspapers and three student newspapers from 1950-1980 illustrated the coverage women's athletics received, while women integrally involved in the three athletic programs from 1950-1980 supplemented the coverage and further explained the development. This thesis proposes a cohesive narrative of the press coverage associated with the development of three women's intercollegiate athletic programs in the Midwest from 1950-1980. The project also speculates on the reasons why different newspapers covered women's athletics in the area differently and why 1975 emerged as a watershed year for women's athletics at NDSU, UND, and MSUM.

Chiu Yuen Ming Vivian. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-87). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1 - --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Significance --- p.7 / Chapter Chapter 2 - --- Literature review --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Definition of nation --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- History of Chinese nationalism --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3 --- From state nationalism to popular nationalism --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4 --- Three levels of Chinese nationalism --- p.17 / Chapter 2.5 --- Media and nationalism --- p.17 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Media in China- newspapers --- p.20 / Chapter Chapter 3 - --- Framing --- p.22 / Chapter 3.1 --- Overview --- p.22 / Chapter 3.2 --- Four different frames --- p.24 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- National self respect --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- National self strengthening --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Co-operation with Japan --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- National humiliation --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- Framing Sino-Japanese relationship --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 4 - --- Methodology --- p.35 / Chapter 4.1 --- Theoretical concern --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2 --- Case study --- p.35 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- First case study: the Mukden incident --- p.36 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Second case study: Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine --- p.37 / Chapter 4.3 --- Media text --- p.39 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- People's Daily --- p.40 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Global Times --- p.42 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Southern Metropolis News --- p.45 / Chapter 4.4 --- Data and sampling --- p.47 / Chapter 4.5 --- Content analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 4.6 --- Hypothesis --- p.50 / Chapter 4.7 --- Coding categories and schemes --- p.54 / Chapter 4.8 --- Coding training --- p.55 / Chapter Chapter 5 - --- Results --- p.57 / Chapter 5.1 --- Overview --- p.57 / Chapter 5.2 --- Quantitative results --- p.59 / Chapter Chapter 6 - --- Discussion --- p.67 / Chapter 6.1 --- Analysis --- p.67 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- National self respect --- p.68 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- National self strengthening --- p.70 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Co-operation with Japan --- p.72 / Chapter 6.1.4 --- National humiliation --- p.74 / Chapter 6.2 --- Implications --- p.76 / Chapter 6.3 --- Limitations and further study --- p.78 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusion --- p.80 / Bibliography --- p.82

La loi du 27 juillet 1999 portant création de la couverture maladie universelle est intervenue dans le cadre d'une politique générale de lutte contre l'exclusion. Afin d'améliorer l'accès aux soins d'un nombre croissant de personnes pauvres, les socialistes ont élaboré un dispositif comportant deux volets. Le premier volet visait la généralisation de l'assurance maladie, en permettant l'affiliation au régime général sur un critère subsidiaire de résidence. Le second volet avait pour ambition d'offrir une couverture santé complémentaire, aux millions de personnes qui n'en bénéficiaient pas. Cette prestation étant soumise au respect d'une condition de résidence et d'une condition de ressources. L'ensemble du dispositif instauré par la loi CMU s'est substitué à l'aide médicale départementale et à l'assurance personnelle. L'ampleur des inégalités de santé, touchant en premier lieu les individus les plus pauvres et les plus isolés de la société, a conduit au bon accueil général de la loi CMU. Cependant, bien que considérée comme une grande loi de santé publique, certaines mesures ont été le théâtre de débats et d'oppositions, tant sur la scène politique que dans la société. Cela a été le cas concernant l'effet de seuil induit par l'instauration d'un plafond de ressources, le risque de déresponsabilisation des bénéficiaires ayant accès gratuitement au dispositif, les règles de financement essentiellement basées sur des taxes et contributions publiques, le choix d'une gestion partenariale entre sécurité sociale et partenaires privés, ou encore concernant la réticence d'une minorité de professionnels de santé à l'égard du dispositif. / The law of the bearing July 27th, 1999 creation of the universal health coverage intervened within the framework of a general policy of fight against exclusion. In order to improve the access to the care of a growing number of poor people, the Socialists worked out a device comprising two facets. The first facet aimed at the generalization of the health insurance, by allowing the affiliation the general scheme on a subsidiary criterion of residence. The second facet had as an ambition to offer a complementary coverage health, to the million people who did not profit from it. This service being subjected to the respect of a condition of residence and a condition of resources. The whole of the device founded by law CMU replaced for the departmental medical assistance and the personal insurance. The extent of the inequalities of health, concerning initially the poorest individuals and most isolated from the society, led to general warm welcome of law CMU. However, although regarded as a great law of public health, certain measurements were the theatre of debates and oppositions, as well on the political scene as in the society. That in particular was the case concerning the effect of threshold induced by the introduction of a ceiling of resources, the risk of deresponsabilisation of the recipients having access free to the device, rules of financing primarily based on public taxes and contributions, the choice of a partnership management between social security and private partners with in particular the organizations of complementary health, or concerning the reserve of a minority of health professionals with regard to the device leading to refusal of care.

<p>In the beginning of this millennium the increasing level of work related illness was de-scribed, in the public debate, as one of the most serious and costly social problems of our times. An important question in the present study is whether or not the newspapers contributed to make their readers, the politicians and other social actors aware of this vast and growing problem.</p><p>Thus, the main purpose was to find out the extent of the news media coverage on occupational health/ill-health in Swedish newspapers in the end of the 1990s, and the ways in which the topic was framed. Furthermore the intent was to produce a better and deeper understanding of the factors influencing the coverage.</p><p>Theoretically the study draws on framing theory. Framing here refers to the process through which complex issues are reduced to journalistically manageable dimensions in the construction of news stories, resulting in a text, a news story that presents and high-lights some aspects and perspectives of the perceived reality but not others.</p><p>A combination of research methods was used - A content and frame analysis of six months of occupational health coverage in seven newspapers; an interview study with journalists and their scientific sources about the news production; a one week’s news-room study aimed at observing the everyday production of news; and finally, a short email survey directed to the editorial staff at the examined news papers, with the purpose to get some indication on how the coverage of occupational health was organised and prioritized at the different newspapers.</p><p>In the empirical analysis the newspapers´ picturing of occupational health/ill-health was compared with picture emerging from official statistics on occupational sickness and injury. In many respects a deviation was found between the two. Furthermore, simi-larities and differences in content between different newspapers, between different news sections and between news stories written by journalists of different sex, were examined.</p><p>A key finding is that the Swedish newspapers did not draw their readers’ attention to the extensive and growing problem at the places of work. A majority of the stories related to occupational health/ill-health were episodic, and treated the issues as isolated and random events rather than predictable and preventable problems, although there were also more thematic articles written during special circumstances. The results indicate that a primary cause of the topics low priority in the newspapers was that the coverage of occupational health/ill-health had not been integrated into the journalistic routines.</p>

In the beginning of this millennium the increasing level of work related illness was de-scribed, in the public debate, as one of the most serious and costly social problems of our times. An important question in the present study is whether or not the newspapers contributed to make their readers, the politicians and other social actors aware of this vast and growing problem. Thus, the main purpose was to find out the extent of the news media coverage on occupational health/ill-health in Swedish newspapers in the end of the 1990s, and the ways in which the topic was framed. Furthermore the intent was to produce a better and deeper understanding of the factors influencing the coverage. Theoretically the study draws on framing theory. Framing here refers to the process through which complex issues are reduced to journalistically manageable dimensions in the construction of news stories, resulting in a text, a news story that presents and high-lights some aspects and perspectives of the perceived reality but not others. A combination of research methods was used - A content and frame analysis of six months of occupational health coverage in seven newspapers; an interview study with journalists and their scientific sources about the news production; a one week’s news-room study aimed at observing the everyday production of news; and finally, a short email survey directed to the editorial staff at the examined news papers, with the purpose to get some indication on how the coverage of occupational health was organised and prioritized at the different newspapers. In the empirical analysis the newspapers´ picturing of occupational health/ill-health was compared with picture emerging from official statistics on occupational sickness and injury. In many respects a deviation was found between the two. Furthermore, simi-larities and differences in content between different newspapers, between different news sections and between news stories written by journalists of different sex, were examined. A key finding is that the Swedish newspapers did not draw their readers’ attention to the extensive and growing problem at the places of work. A majority of the stories related to occupational health/ill-health were episodic, and treated the issues as isolated and random events rather than predictable and preventable problems, although there were also more thematic articles written during special circumstances. The results indicate that a primary cause of the topics low priority in the newspapers was that the coverage of occupational health/ill-health had not been integrated into the journalistic routines.

Network lifetime is a key issue in wireless sensor networks where sensor nodes, distributed typically in remote/hostile sensing areas, are powered by finite energy batteries which are not easily replaced/recharged. Depletion of these finite energy batteries can result in a change in network topology or in the end of network life itself. Hence, prolonging the life of wireless sensor networks is important. Energy consumed in wireless sensor nodes can be for the purpose of i) sensing functions, ii) processing/computing functions, and ii) communication functions. For example, energy consumed by the transmit and receive electronics constitute the energy expended for communication functions. Our focus in this thesis is on the efficient use of energy for sensing. In particular, we are concerned with energy efficient algorithms for scheduling the sensing activity of sensor nodes. By scheduling the sensing activity we mean when to activate a sensor node for sensing (active mode) and when to keep it idle (sleep mode). The novel approach we adopt in this thesis to achieve efficient scheduling of sensing activity is an information coverage approach, rather than the widely adopted physical coverage approach. In the physical coverage approach, a point is said to be covered by a sensor node if that point lies within the physical coverage range (or the sensing radius) of that sensor, which is the maximum distance between the sensor and the point up to which the sensor can sense with acceptable accuracy. Information coverage, on the other hand, exploits cooperation among multiple sensors to accurately sense a point even if that point falls outside the physical coverage range of all the sensors. In this thesis, we address the question of how to schedule the activity of various sensor nodes in the network to enhance network lifetime using information coverage. In the first part of the thesis, we are concerned with scheduling of sensor nodes for sensing point targets using information coverage – example of a point-target being temperature or radiation level at a source or point that needs to be monitored. Defining a set of sensor nodes which collectively can sense a point-target accurately as an information cover, we propose an algorithm to obtain Disjoint Set of Information Covers (DSIC) that can sense multiple point-targets in a given sensing area. Being disjoint, the resulting information covers in the proposed algorithm allow a simple round-robin schedule of sensor activation (i.e., activate the covers sequentially). We show that the covers obtained using the proposed DSIC algorithm achieve longer network life compared to the covers obtained using an Exhaustive-Greedy-Equalized Heuristic (EGEH) proposed recently in the literature. We also present a detailed complexity comparison between the DSIC and EGEH algorithms. In the second part of the thesis, we extend the point target sensing problem in the first part to a full area sensing problem, where we are concerned with energy efficient ‘area-monitoring’ using information coverage. We refer to any set of sensors that can collectively sense all points in the entire area-to-monitor as a full area information cover. We first propose a low-complexity heuristic algorithm to obtain full area information covers. Using these covers, we then obtain the optimum schedule for activating the sensing activity of various sensors that maximizes the sensing lifetime. The optimum schedules obtained using the proposed algorithm is shown to achieve significantly longer sensing lifetimes compared to those achieved using physical coverage. Relaxing the full area coverage requirement to a partial area coverage requirement (e.g., 95% of area coverage as adequate instead of 100% area coverage) further enhances the lifetime. The algorithms proposed for the point targets and full area sensing problems in the first two parts are essentially centralized algorithms. Decentralized algorithms are preferred in large networks. Accordingly, in the last part of the thesis, we propose a low-complexity, distributed sensor scheduling algorithm for full area sensing using information coverage. This distributed algorithm is shown to result in significantly longer sensing lifetimes compared to those achieved using physical coverage.