Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2008. / Title from title page (Digital Archive@GSU, viewed June 7, 2010). Clifford M. Kuhn, committee chair; Ian C. Fletcher, Charles G. Steffen, committee members. Includes bibliographical references (p. 442-459).

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2006. / Title from title screen. Kathryn A. Kozaitis, committee chair; Emanuela Guano, Cassandra White, committee members. Electronic text (207 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed May 15, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 196-203).

Technologies les plus prometteuses pour suivre le défi de la production d'énergie. La première partie de cette mémoire aborde les absorbeurs de CISe préparés par co-évaporation (3 étapes) et l'effet de l'oxygène (ainsi que le sodium) dans les absorbeurs et des cellules solaires. La température du substrat de 1ère étape la plus élevé (400°C), conduit à un rendement maximal de 12% (Voc=460mV, Jsc=37mA/cm2, FF=78,3%). L’oxydation des couches précurseurs de In2Se3 a montré que les oxydations prolongées ont donnée lieu à faibles rendements de cellules solaires. Les cellules de CISe sans Na ont été fortement dégradées après l’oxydation, avec une baisse de Voc (-72%) et de FF (- 45%). La deuxième partie de la mémoire traite avec la croissance des couches de CISe par un procédé hybride (pulvérisation pyrolyse suivie par coévaporation). La croissance est basée sur un processus de co-évaporation en 3 étapes, mais en remplaçant la couche de 1ère étape avec un couche In2Se3 pyrolysée. Il a été montré qu’une couche de CISe de haute qualité peut être obtenue. L’optimisation des conditions de croissance du procédé hybride (régime du Cu) a permis des dispositifs avec un rendement de 11,1%. Une amélioration peut être atteinte par la diminution de la recombinaison au niveau du contact arrière. / In photovoltaics, the thin film Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) technology is one of the most promising technology to keep up with today’s energy production challenge. The first part of this work address the CISe absorbers films prepared by the 3-stage co-evaporation process. Also, the effect of the oxygen (along with sodium) in the CISe absorbers and solar cells is investigated. The highest 1st-stage substrate temperature (400 C) leads to the highest efficiency of 12% (Voc=460mV, Jsc=37 mA/cm2, FF=78.3%). Oxidation of the In2Se3 precursors films showed that long time exposures resulted in low solar cell parameters. The CISe cells without sodium are degraded after oxidation, with a drop in Voc (-72%) and FF (-45%). The second part of the work deals with the growth of CISe films by a hybrid process which involves two deposition techniques, namely spray pyrolysis and co-evaporation. The process is based on a 3-stage coevaporation process but replacing the 1st-stage film with an In2Se3 spray pyrolyzed film. It was shown that highquality CISe films can be obtained. Optimization of the hybrid process growth conditions (Cu regime) allowed solar cells with efficiencies of 11.1% (Voc=438mV, Jsc=37 mA/cm2, FF=67.5%). Further improvement could be achieved by the decrease of recombination at the back contact.

The Web 2.0 revolution has changed the culture of mapping by opening it up to a wider range of users and creators. Map mashups, in particular, are being widely used to map variety of information. There is, however, no gatekeeper to validate the correctness of the information presented. The purpose of this research was to understand better what it is that influence users’ perceived credibility and trust within a map mashup presentation and to support the future implementation of automated credibility assessment and labelling of map mashup applications. This research has been conducted in three stages using mixed method approaches. The objective of the first stage was to examine the influence of metadata related to sources, specifically the map producer and map supplier, on respondents’ assessment of the credibility of map mashup information. The findings indicate a low influence of the tested metadata and a high influence of visual cue elements on users’ credibility assessment. Only half of the respondents used the metadata whilst the other half did not include it in their assessment. These findings became the basis of stage two, which was to examine the influence of colour coded traffic light (CCTL) labelling on respondents’ assessment of credibility. From the findings, the probability of respondents making informed judgements by choosing a high credibility map based on this rating label (CCTL) was three times higher than where only the metadata was presented. The third stage was to propose a conceptual framework to support the implementation of automated credibility labelling for map mashup applications. The framework was proposed on the basis of thorough reviews from the literature. The suggested parameters and approaches are not limited to assess credibility of information in the map mashup context, but could be applied to other Web GIS applications.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of History, June 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

In this thesis we used genetic algorithms as a core gameplay mechanic for games. We created a flexible genetic algorithms framework that allowed us to iterate quickly through various designs and prototypes of games. We developed two iterations of fighting robots game and a racing game that used our framework to implement genetic algorithms. Playtesting showed that such a sophisticated game mechanic like this one can be fun and appealing to players.

In this thesis we used genetic algorithms as a core gameplay mechanic for games. We created a flexible genetic algorithms framework that allowed us to iterate quickly through various designs and prototypes of games. We developed two iterations of fighting robots game and a racing game that used our framework to implement genetic algorithms. Playtesting showed that such a sophisticated game mechanic like this one can be fun and appealing to players.

MA Dramatic Art, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand / This study explores how contemporary performance, through a practice led process, can shift the consciousness of entrenched Ga cultural myths that silence the self. In doing so, this study attempts to reveal how cultural mythology plays an integral part in why the Ga people continue to make illness invisible even in the face of the growing crisis of HIV/Aids in Ghana. The study argues that continued silence rather worsens the condition of the victims, and posits that breaking the oppressive silence through contemporary performance’s deconstruction of cultural mythology offers a chance of liberation. This study employs qualitative research methodology within a practice as research paradigm and is achieved through a collaborative practice as research performance process. The performance process draws upon the personal experiences of the collaborators who use stories, games, dances and masks that emanate from the collaborators’ respective cultures in Ghana. The research data comprises photographs, journaling and informal dialogue. It also consists of interpreting phenomena brought to bear on the process. This research places emphasis on the process of exploration as opposed to a final product. In Chapter One the reader is introduced to the history and journey of the self. Chapter Two focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of this research while Chapter Three, an exploration of methodology, demonstrates how elements of the creative process form the base of contemporary performance. Finally, in Chapter Four the researcher draws a number of conclusions based on the outcome of the process oriented performance. This study concludes that the contemporary performance processes offer a constructive alternative towards inciting a shift in the consciousness of Ga cultural myths, without disregarding the ingenious indigenous knowledge of the Ga community. It also shows how the process of contemporary performance can become a means of self-development and change. The study demonstrates how in the midst of the constraints and fear that cultivate silence, often promulgated by the Ga communal ideal, the individual can still discover and give expression to his/her unique voice.

There have been many opportunities to study protest events over the last six years. From Occupy to the Arab Spring and 15M. After the financial crash, citizens of the world crafted their own original responses. What they shared – from New York to Cairo and Madrid – was a desire to take to the streets in political protest. In the UK the enemy was ‘austerity’. One of the first policies of this new era proposed a rise in Higher Education tuition fees. Students took to the streets in dissent. A host of political, institutional, technological and social transformations occurred. More specifically, it saw the birth of a digital platform designed to help protesters navigate during protests. It was called Sukey. This thesis interrogates the impact and legacy of the Sukey platform; over, and beyond, these tumultuous years. It does so through the lens of ‘disruptive cartography’, arguing that the platform was deployed to disrupt the smooth running of both so-called ‘A-to-B’ demonstrations, and police containment tactics colloquially referred to as ‘kettles’. I contend that the platform did so by providing up-to-date navigational information regarding active phenomena, such as police movements. In this thesis I undertake an aesthetic, interactive and mobile analysis to investigate the navigational dimensions of the project. I do so through an automobile metaphor in which I look ‘under the bonnet’, ‘through the windscreen’, and ‘on(to) the road’. In its absence, I argue that protesters have lacked the requisite navigational knowledges to perform unpredictable manoeuvres, during protest events. As a result, they have returned to using institutional forms that limit the navigational possibilities brought-into-being by the Sukey platform. I conclude by speculating on three possible ‘failures’ of the platform regarding its ability to faithfully ‘capture’ live events, provide a navigational ‘correspondence’ between cartographic ‘signposts’, and to protect participants from data-driven policing.

In this thesis we used genetic algorithms as a core gameplay mechanic for games. We created a flexible genetic algorithms framework that allowed us to iterate quickly through various designs and prototypes of games. We developed two iterations of fighting robots game and a racing game that used our framework to implement genetic algorithms. Playtesting showed that such a sophisticated game mechanic like this one can be fun and appealing to players.