The aim of the research was to provide new sea-level index points,with the intention of identifying any cross-channel similarities and comparing the results to geophysical models of relative sea-level change. The research successfully provided new sea-level index points from the Pevensey levels, East Sussex; the Canche Estuary, Pas de Calais and the Somme Estuary, Picardie, which were validated using stratigraphic pollen,diatom,foraminiferal snd AMS radiocarbon dating analysis. The results pointed to the presence of a coastal barrier thoughout the mid-Holocene at Pevensey and the Somme which complicated the pattern of coastal sedimentation observed at these sites. A clear pattern of barrier de-stabilisation can be seen to take place either side of the Channel c.3000 years cal BP. A cross-channel comparison identified three similar transgressive events either side of the English Channel, c. 5500, 3000 and 2200 cal years BP. The observed results from each site were then compared to the predicted data( Lambeck pers.comm) .in order to determine whether the observational data could be used to validate the modelled data. The comparisons showed that for the sites in south east England the modelled data tended to over-predict sea-level rise for the mid-t o late- Holocene whereas the model tended to under-predict sea-level rise for the sites in northern France. The new observational data which the research provided could be used to further validate Lambeck's (1990,1997) geophysical model. The effects of local coastal processes, such as tidal range, crustal subsidence and barrier-dynamics were used to aid the comparisons between the pattern of sediment deposition and thus the sea-level signals. These findings suggested that reconstructions should be restricted to sites at an estuary-sized scale.

The compositions we use to test together are, lighting, color, shape, movement, vertical and horizontal lines. The techniques are tested together in a 3D environment and rendered in a game engine. We want to guide the player on a subconscious level using compositional techniques that suits our type of game the most so we can create readable environments that can guide the players and highlight important objects and areas. The study is based on a game project we are working on together with three other people that are split up into sub-groups and researches different areas. Creating the levels using Unreal engine 4 we designed two levels to collect data. We created two levels that we used for testing, we had a test sessions for each of the two levels the first test with nine players and the second test with twelve players. We can honestly not give a straight yes or no answer to any of our hypothesis but some tests showed interesting results. A secondary test was devised due to interesting data gathered in the first test but when testing in an isolated environment the data showed something else that was not expected and the results became confusing. / Kompositionerna vi använder för att testa tillsammans är, belysning, färg, form, rörelse, vertikala och horisontella linjer. Teknikerna testas tillsammans i en 3D-miljö och återges i en spelmotor. Vi vill styra spelaren på en undermedveten nivå med hjälp av kompositionstekniker som passar vår typ av spel de så att vi kan skapa läsbara miljöer som kan vägleda spelarna och markera viktiga objekt och områden. Studien är baserad på ett spelprojekt som vi arbetar på tillsammans med tre andra personer som delas upp i undergrupper och forskar inom olika områden i spelprojektet. Skapar nivåerna med hjälp av Unreal Engine 4, vi utformade två nivåer för att samla in data. Vi skapade två nivåer som vi använde för att testa, vi hade testsessioner för de två nivåerna, det första testet med nio spelare och det andra testet med tolv spelare. Vi kan ärligt talat inte ge ett rakt ja eller nej svar på någon av våra hypoteser, men vissa tester visade intressanta resultat. Ett sekundärt test uppfanns på grund av intressanta uppgifter som samlats in i det första testet, men vid testning i en isolerad miljö, visade datan något annat som inte var väntat och resultatet blev förvirrande.

This dissertation proposes a novel theoretical framework for the data partitioning problem in computer vision and machine learning. The framework is based on level set methods that are derived from variational calculus and involve a curve-based objective function which integrates both boundary and region based information in a generic form. The proposed approaches within the framework provide original solutions to two important problems in variational methods, namely parameter tuning and information fusion, collectively termed Learning Level Sets in this thesis. Moreover, a novel pattern classification algorithm, namely Level Learning Sets, is proposed to classify any general dataset, including sparse and non sparse data. It is based on the same optimisation process of the objective function directly related to the curve propagation theory used in level set theory. The proposed approach learns the knowledge required for parameter tuning and information fusion in level set methods using machine learning techniques. It uses acquired knowledge to automatically perform parameter tuning and information fusion in level set methods. In the case of pattern classification, variational methods using level set theory optimise decision boundary construction in feature space. Consequently, the optimised values of the objective level set function over the feature space represent the model for pattern classification. The proposed automatic parameter tuning and information fusion method embedded in the level set method framework has been employed to provide original solutions to image segmentation and object extraction in computer vision. On the other hand, the Level Learning Set has been extended and applied to a variety of pattern classification problems". Several experimental results for each of the above methods are provided, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed solutions and indicating the potential of the automatic and dynamic tuning and fusion approaches as well as the Level Learning Set model.

Thesis (M.S.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 1980. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-91).

abstract: Using historical data from the third-party payment acquiring industry, I develop a statistical model to predict the probability of fraudulent transactions by the merchants. The model consists of two levels of analysis – the first focuses on fraud detection at the store level, and the second focuses on fraud detection at the merchant level by aggregating store level data to the merchant level for merchants with multiple stores. My purpose is to put the model into business operations, helping to identify fraudulent merchants at the time of transactions and thus mitigate the risk exposure of the payment acquiring businesses. The model developed in this study is distinct from existing fraud detection models in three important aspects. First, it predicts the probability of fraud at the merchant level, as opposed to at the transaction level or by the cardholders. Second, it is developed by applying machine learning algorithms and logistical regressions to all the transaction level and merchant level variables collected from real business operations, rather than relying on the experiences and analytical abilities of business experts as in the development of traditional expert systems. Third, instead of using a small sample, I develop and test the model using a huge sample that consists of over 600,000 merchants and 10 million transactions per month. I conclude this study with a discussion of the model’s possible applications in practice as well as its implications for future research. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2015

Pas de résumé / The level set method was introduced by Osher & Sethian (1988) as a general technique to capture moving interfaces. It has been used to study crystal growth, to simulate water and fire for computer graphics applications, to study two-phase flows and in many other fields. The wellknown problem of the level set method is the following: if the flow velocity is not constant, the level set scalar may become strongly distorted. Thus, the numerical integration may suffer from loss of accuracy. In level set methods, this problem is remedied by the reinitialization procedure, i.e. by reconstruction of the level set function in a way to satisfy the eikonal equation. We propose an alternative approach. We modify directly the level set equation by embedding a source term. The exact expression of this term is such that the eikonal equation is automatically satisfied. Furthermore on the interface, this term is equal to zero. In the meantime, the advantage of our approach is this: the exact expression of the source term allows for the possibility of derivation of its local approximate forms, of first-and-higher order accuracy. Compared to the extension velocity method, this may open the simplifications in realization of level set methods. Compared to the standard approach with the reinitialization procedure, this may give the economies in the number of level set re-initializations, and also, due to reduced number of reinitializations, one may expect an improvement in resolution of zero-set level. Hence, the objective of the present dissertation is to describe and to assess this approach in different test cases.

Le soudage hybride arc / laser représente une solution adéquate à l'assemblage de tôles d'acier de forte épaisseur. La présence d'une source laser en amont de la torche MIG permet d'accroître la productivité du procédé tout en assurant une excellente qualité de la soudure. Cependant la phénoménologie complexe de ce procédé multiphysique n'est pas encore totalement maîtrisée, ce qui motive le développement d'outils de simulation numérique. La présente étude s'est déroulée dans le cadre d'un projet multipartenaires "SISHYFE" (ANR Matériaux et Procédés).Dans ce but un modèle éléments finis 3D non stationnaire a été développé. Construit à partir de l'approche level set, il est en mesure de simuler un procédé multi-passes de soudage hybride arc / laser. Il a été développé autour de quatre principaux axes. (1) Une modélisation plus réaliste de l'apport de chaleur a conduit à la définition d'un nouveau modèle basé sur le rayonnement thermique pour décrire la source MIG. (2) Grâce au couplage entre l'intégration de termes source de matière et de chaleur dans les équations de conservation et l'actualisation de l'interface gaz / métal, le modèle proposé est capable de simuler le développement d'un cordon de soudure. (3) L'intégration d'une modélisation des écoulements du bain de fusion dans une approche level set a été évaluée et son impact sur la distribution thermique dans le métal analysé. (4) La simulation de la formation des contraintes pendant et après soudage a été possible grâce à l'adaptation d'un solveur thermomécanique.La modélisation finale a permis de simuler une configuration industrielle de soudage hybride arc / laser multi-passes. Des mesures expérimentales effectuées par les partenaires du projet "SISHYFE" ont été utilisées afin d'évaluer le modèle et d'éprouver sa capacité à reproduire l'expérience. / Hybrid arc / laser welding represents the solution for high thickness steel sheets assembly. The laser heat source added to the MIG torch improves the process productivity while respecting quality standards. Nevertheless, the phenomenology of the process remains complex and not totally understood. This is the thrust for the development of numerical simulation. The present study has been carried out as part of the "SISHYFE" Material and Process ANR project.For that purpose, a new non stationary 3D finite element model has been developed. Based on the level set approach, it allows to simulate a multipass hybrid arc/ laser welding process. The work focused on four research axes. (1) A more representative model of the plasma heat source has been defined, based on thermal radiation. (2) The coupling of a material and a heat source term integrated in the conservation equations and the update of the level set gas / metal interface is able to correctly model the formation of the weld bead. (3) The integration of a fluid flow model within the level set approach has been evaluated and its impact on thermal distribution analyzed. (4) The stress formation during and after the process has been modeled through the adaptation of a thermo-mechanical solver to the previous modeling in a level set framework.In the end, the developed model has shown to be able to simulate an industrial multi-pass hybrid arc / laser welding process. Experimental measurements provided by the project partners have been used to evaluate the model and to assess its abilities to reproduce experimental features.

Sea-level fingerprints, the spatial patterns of sea level change resulting from rapid melting of glaciers and ice sheets, play an important role in understanding past and projecting future changes in relative sea level (RSL). Over century timescales, the viscous flow of Earth’s interior is a small component of the total deformation due to ice loading in most regions, so fingerprints computed using elastic Earth models are accurate. However, in regions where the viscosity is orders of magnitude lower than the global average, the viscous component of deformation can be significant, in which case it is important to consider models of viscoelastic deformation. There is evidence that the glaciated regions of Alaska, Western Canada and USA, and the Southern Andes are situated on top of mantle regions in which the local viscosity is several orders of magnitude lower than typical global mean values. The goal of this work is to determine the importance of viscous flow in computing RSL fingerprints associated with future ice mass loss from these regions. Version 5.0 of the Randolph Glacier Inventory is used to estimate the ice load distribution required for calculating sea-level fingerprints. For the glaciated regions that have lower than average viscosity, fingerprints were calculated using an elastic Earth model and a 3D viscoelastic model to quantify the influence of viscous flow on the predicted sea level changes. Using glacier mass loss values for the intermediate future climate scenario Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5, the global sea level response was computed at 2100 CE relative to 2010 CE due to melting from all glacier regions. On comparing the results of the two models it was found that ice-load-induced viscous flow contributes significantly (more than a few cm) to the RSL fingerprints only in near-field regions. However, in these regions, the non-elastic contribution can be 10s of cm. For example, at Juneau, USA the elastic calculation gave relative sea level changes of ∼ −45 cm, compared to ∼ −120 cm based on the viscoelastic calculation.

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