In this thesis, we study the development of linguistic concepts (corresponding to a subset of nouns, verbs and adjectives) on a humanoid robot. To accomplish this goal, we use affordances, a notion first proposed by J.J. Gibson to describe the action possibilities offered to an agent by the environment. Using the affordances formalization framework of Sahin et al., we have implemented a learning system on a humanoid robot and obtained the required data from the sensorimotor experiences of the robot. The system we developed (1) can learn verb, adjective and noun concepts, (2) represent them in terms of strings of prototypes and dependencies based on affordances, (3) can accurately recognize the concept of novel objects and events, and (4) can be used for tasks such as goal emulation and multi step planning.

The global business is facing the intensive competitive environment. To overcome the competition, most enterprises contentiously try different information systems to strengthen their competition and to extent their businesses. In order to execute the enterprises marketing strategies effectively, business organization applies various software from in-house development to standard package software either made in Taiwan or made in nations. However, while implementing the information system into specific project, this software caused many obstructions in both project time framing design and project cost control. To exam this problem, we found there is no appropriate requirement and package software or tool to manage the system gaps analysis. The main purpose of this thesis is to solve the present package software problem and develop a method to meet the enterprise needs in system difference analysis. We use the Unified Module Language (UML), use case diagram, drawing , activity diagram, use case description and decision table to complete the difference analysis between package software and specific project. Applying this method, the user not only can control the difference between the requirement system and object system precisely, but also build a communication channel among the users, system analysis, and programmers. In addition, the method provides a trend of customized system to succeed the project on line

Under the severe competition environment, it is very important for enterprise to create various goals and install process oriented information system to support it to reach business visions on business growth and expansion. For keeping the enterprise competitive advantage the business goals needed to be modified continuously under the change of competition environment. But the business information systems could still support the modified business goals? Information system could become less efficiency than before after business goals changed. The purpose of this study is to develop a business goals oriented information system evaluation approach to understand the degree of information system supporting the business goals. The approach first abstracts business goal and process oriented information system by business management methods and utilizes use case as the evaluation tool. Quantitative index and diagram as the result of evaluation explains the relationship between business goals and information systems. The results of evaluation could provide advantages on the information technology decision making for business leaders.

Research indicates that planning helps consumers in their goal pursuit, but little is known about how and when such beneficial effects change with regulatory fit – fit between consumers’ regulatory orientation and goal pursuit means. Results of three studies show that 1) the benefits of forming implementation intentions, or planning details such as when, where, how, and how long to perform goal-directed actions and attain consumer goals are stronger in regulatory nonfit situations (study 1), and 2) implementation intentions can be viewed as goal pursuit means and be part of the regulatory fit formulation to show the “value from fit” effect on instrumental behavior and goal attainment (studies 2 and 3). Specifically, study 1 showed that consumers in regulatory nonfit situations are more likely to perform instrumental behavior and have higher goal attainment by forming implementation intentions than consumers in regulatory fit situations. This research also provides empirical evidence of the notion of “value from fit” to the regulatory fit literature, that is, the mediating role of motivation intensity in the regulatory fit-instrumental behavior and regulatory fit-goal attainment linkages in studies 2 and 3.

This thesis describes the use of an ultrasonic goal-seeking algorithm while using ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC), an electroactive polymer, as the actuator to drive a vessel towards a goal. The signal transmitting and receiving circuits as well as the goal seeking algorithm are described in detail. Two test vessels were created; one was a larger vessel that contained all necessary components for autonomy. The second was a smaller vessel that contained only the sensors and IPMC strips, and all power and signals were transmitted via an umbilical cord. To increase the propulsive efforts of the second, smaller vessel, fins were added to the IPMC strips, increasing the surface area over 700%, determined to yield a 22-fold force increase. After extensive testing, it was found that the three IPMC strips, used as oscillating fins, could not generate enough propulsion to move either vessel, with or without fins. With the addition of fins, the oscillating frequency was reduced from 0.86-Hz to 0.25-Hz. However, the goal-seeking algorithm was successful in guiding the vessel towards the target, an ultrasonic transmitter. When moved manually according to the instructions given by the algorithm, the vessel successfully reached the goal. Using assumptions based on prior experiments regarding the speed of an IPMC propelled vessel, the trial in which the goal was to the left of the axis required 18.2% more time to arrive at the goal than the trial in which the goal was to the right. This significant difference is due to the goal-seeking algorithm’s means to acquire the strongest signal. After the research had concluded and the propulsors failed to yield desired results, many factors were considered to rationalize the observations. The operating frequency was reduced, and it was found that, by the impulse-momentum theorem, that the propulsive force was reduced proportionally. The literature surveyed addressed undulatory motion, which produces constant propulsive force, not oscillatory, which yields intermittent propulsive force. These reasons among others were produced to rationalize the results and prove the cause of negative results was inherent to the actuators themselves. All rational options have been considered to yield positive results.

Thesis (Ed. S.)--Marshall University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: contains 33 p. Includes bibliographical references p. 31-33.

Thesis (M.A.)--East Carolina University, 2009. / Presented to the faculty of the Department of Psychology. Advisor: Mark C. Bowler. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed June 11, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic records (p.44-49).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Central Florida, 2009. / Adviser: Robert Folger. Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-112).

Abstract:  Elite soccer in combination with education is a unique and demanding task. The path towards a glory career in sports takes hard mental and physical training. The objectives in this study are 6 elite focused high school students studying high school education programs in combination with football profile. They are 3 of each gender. The purpose of the study was to find out more about their perspective of motivation and what makes them keep going towards a career in football in beside their education. The study is of empiric hermeneutic survey used qualitative method and interviewing to collect data. The results have shown several patterns and similarities, also differences. They all see motivation as a mental force. They appreciate the social factors from parents through support and commitment in their football. Several of them found their interests in football through their parent’s interest in football. They are motivated by development and promotion in divisions. They are all experiencing a need of having fun towards their elite focused career.