International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 20-23, 2003 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / In many test ranges, it is often required to acquire a number of telemetry streams and to process the data simultaneously. Frequently, the streams have different delay characteristics, requiring temporal alignment before the processing step. It is desired to have the capability to align these streams so that the events in each stream are coincident in time. Terawave Communications has developed technology to perform temporal alignment for a number of streams automatically. Additionally, the algorithm performs the delay compensation independent of the source data rate of each stream. Terawave will present the algorithm and share the results of their testing in a test installation.

In this dissertation, we study macroscopic traffic flow modeling for intelligent transportation systems. Based on the characteristics of traffic flow evolution, and the requirement to realistically predict and ameliorate traffic flow in high traffic regions, we consider traffic flow modeling for intelligent transportation systems. Four major traffic flow modeling issues, that is, accurately predicting the spatial adjustment of traffic density, the traffic behavior on a long infinite road and on a road having egress and ingress to the flow, affect of driver behavior on traffic flow, and the route merit are investigated. The spatial adjustment of traffic density is investigated from a velocity adjustment perspective. Then the traffic behavior based on the safe distance and safe time is studied on a long infinite road for a transition and uniform flow. The traffic flow transition behavior is also investigated for egress and ingress to the flow having a regulation value which characterizes the driver response. The variation of regulation value refines the traffic velocity and density distributions according to a slow or aggressive driver response. Further, the influence of driver behavior on traffic flow is studied. The driver behavior includes the physiological and psychological response. In this dissertation, route merits are also developed to reduce the trip time, pollution and fuel consumption. Performance results of the proposed models are presented. / Graduate / 0543, 0544, 0548 / khanz@uvic,ca

Part I presents a model for fingerprint matching using Bayesian alignment on unlabelled point sets. An efficient Monte Carlo algorithm is developed to calculate the marginal likelihood ratio between the hypothesis that an observed fingerprint and fingermark pair originate from the same finger and the hypothesis that they originate from different fingers. The model achieves good performance on the NIST-FBI fingerprint database of 258 matched fingerprint pairs, though the computed likelihood ratios are implausibly extreme due to oversimplification in our model. Part II moves to a more theoretical study of proper scoring rules. The chapters in this section are designed to be independent of each other. Chapter 9 uses proper scoring rules to calibrate the implausible likelihood ratios computed in Part I. Chapter 10 defines the class of compatible weighted proper scoring rules. Chapter 11 derives new results for the score matching estimator, which can quickly generate point estimates for a parametric model even when the normalization constant of the distribution is intractable. It is used to find an initial value for the iterative maximization procedure in §3.3. Appendix A describes a novel algorithm to efficiently sample from the posterior of a von Mises distribution. It is used within the fingerprint model sampling procedure described in §5.6. Appendix B includes various technical results which would otherwise disrupt the flow of the main dissertation.

The contribution of small firms towards the creation of economic value in a country’s Gross Domestic Product, employment and innovation is widely acknowledged. Relatively little is known on how small firms are adopting IT strategically to acheive business-IT alignment and how alignment changes over time. This study examines from a dynamic perspective IT adoption actions undertaken by owner-managers, in relation to business-IT alignment in small firms in the island state of Malta. To attain its research objectives, the methodological stance adopted in this research study is that of grounded theory. Moving away from a deductive approach, this study embraces a constructivist approach using a combination of inductive and abductive thought. No fewer than thirty-one in-depth interviews are conducted with owner-managers to observe alignment patterns of IT adoption behaviour in their respective small firms operating in Malta and employing up to 49 employees. Four business-IT alignment equilibrium states are identified, serving as markers to map out the common IT alignment paths that each firm pursued, not necessarily in linear form, during their operational years. A substantive model, which identifies four distinct IT alignment patterns, denotes each common path that a group of firms took in their movement from one alignment equilibrium state to another, throughout their life-cycle stages. This study has substantive application and comprises several implications for the development of IT adoption behaviour when small firms endeavour to strategically align business with IT. It provides policy-makers, academic researchers and small firms’ owner-managers with a theoretical framework that can provide them with factors that can predict the kind of alignment patterns that are likely to occur. Findings indicate that the quality of IT related technological solutions that are taken up by each small firm are reliant on the owner-manager’s characteristics that focus mainly on the knowledge of internal IT expertise and the project management capabilities to manage IT outsourcers. Given that few studies have been conducted to study and establish patterns of IT alignment in small firms, this research provides an important contribution to knowledge and to the existing academic literature.

There is a high rate of information system implementation failures attributed to the lack of alignment between business and information technology strategy. Although enterprise architecture (EA) is a means to correct alignment problems and executives highly rate the importance of EA, it is still not used in most organizations today. Current literature only gave anecdotal reasons why EA was not more widely adopted. This study explored the problem of EA underutilization by understanding how organizational executives value EA. This research used the grounded theory methodology to obtain the EA perspectives of organizational executives responsible for EA. Seventeen executives were selected using theoretical sampling and interviewed using a semi-structured interview approach. The interview data was recorded and coded, and interviewing continued until theoretical saturation was reached. The executives identified four distinct meanings of EA, i.e., business and IT alignment, a holistic representation of the enterprise, a planned vision of the future, and a process, methodology, or framework enhancing enterprise decision making. In addition, they identified 16 unique benefits that EA provided. Depending on the meaning of EA, it was possible to predict what benefits they expected. For example, if the meaning of EA was a holistic representation of the enterprise, then the benefits of increase operational effectiveness, planning, product selection, and speak a common language were expected. However, regardless of which of the four meanings of EA was selected, executives expected EA to facilitate the alignment of business and IT, the decision making process, and the simplification of system and architecture management. Based on the findings, an analytic story and a theoretical model were produced. The model depicted the influencers on what meaning an executive chose and, based on the meaning, the expected benefits of EA. The understanding of executives' perceptions of EA is critical because they are the most influential leaders within organizations. Without their understanding, it becomes less likely that EA initiatives would meet organizational expectations and have favorable outcomes. Furthermore, it is hoped that this study shapes future EA initiatives so that they become more aligned with the views of the executives who are responsible for them.

In this dissertation, we focus on solving Nonlinear Least Squares problems using a supervised approach. In particular, we developed a Supervised Descent Method (SDM), performed thorough theoretical analysis, and demonstrated its effectiveness on optimizing analytic functions, and four other real-world applications: Inverse Kinematics, Rigid Tracking, Face Alignment (frontal and multi-view), and 3D Object Pose Estimation. In Rigid Tracking, SDM was able to take advantage of more robust features, such as, HoG and SIFT. Those non-differentiable image features were out of consideration of previous work because they relied on gradient-based methods for optimization. In Inverse Kinematics where we minimize a non-convex function, SDM achieved significantly better convergence than gradient-based approaches. In Face Alignment, SDM achieved state-of-the-arts results. Moreover, it was extremely computationally efficient, which makes it applicable for many mobile applications. In addition, we provided a unified view of several popular methods including SDM on sequential prediction, and reformulated them as a sequence of function compositions. Finally, we suggested some future research directions on SDM and sequential prediction.

A fundamental understanding of the complexities comprising an information security strategy (ISS) in an organization is lacking. Most ISS implementations in government organizations equate anti-virus or installing a firewall to that of an ISS. While use of hardware and software forms a good defense; neither comprises the essence of an ISS. The ISS best integrates with business and information system strategies from the start, forming and shaping the direction of overall strategy synergistically within large government organizations. The researcher used grounded theory and investigated what a large government organization’s choices were with the differing roles an information security professional (ISP) chooses to operate with and to develop an information security program. Analysis of the data collected from interviewing 32 chief information security officers (CISOs) revealed how CISOs viewed their programs, aligned their goals in the organization, and selected role(s) to execute strategy. Use of grounded theory coding practices of the interviews showed a deficit in complexities of an ISS and a lack of an ISS in the majority of organizations. The participants came from multiple organizations in the National Capital Region on the east coast of the United States. This study advances the body of knowledge in a qualitative understanding of actions taken by CISOs to select a direction towards ISS implementation, role selection, and development of information security programs. It provides a theory for further testing of strategy development and role maturity.

Thesis (M Sport Sc (Sport Science)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess the fascia alignment in kinetic muscle chains and to determine the relationship between these results and selected biomotor abilities in rugby players. It is suggested that restrictions in the fascia along the kinetic chains inhibit muscle function and therefore influence movement patterns, such as those required by skilled rugby players. The isometric Bunkie-test was used to assess fascia alignment in ten kinetic chains related to movement patterns. Standard functional tests were used to assess agility, speed, speed endurance, lower body explosive power and upper body muscle endurance. The relationship between fascia alignment and injury occurrence was also determined. The subjects (n = 121) were all elite-level rugby players from three rugby academies. They participated voluntarily in a once-off assessment, consisting of the Bunkie-test, an Illinois agility test, a 10m sprint test, a 40m sprint test, a repeated sprint test, a vertical jump test and a maximum pull-ups test. Subjects also completed an injury questionnaire regarding all previous and current injuries. No intervention was applied and the statistical analysis was based on this assessment. Numerous significant relationships (p < 0.05) were found between the results of the Bunkietest and results of the performance tests. Players performing better on the Bunkie-test demonstrated better biomotor abilities. Very few significant findings (p < 0.05) were found when comparing the results of the Bunkie-test to injury occurrence. The conclusion was made that restrictions in the fascia of kinetic chains, as determined by the Bunkie-test, could influence a rugby player’s ability to perform biomotor movements optimally. Whether restrictions in the fascia resulted in an increased injury occurrence could not be shown. The Bunkie-test might be a tool for coaches and rehabilitation therapists to identify weaknesses and imbalances in the kinetic chains of athletes. Addressing these problems could then lead to improvements in sport performance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie ondersoekende studie was om die belyning van die fascia in kinetiese spierkettings te evalueer, asook om die verhouding tussen hierdie resultate en geselekteerde biomotoriese vermoëns in rugbyspelers. Daar is aanduidings dat beperkings in die fascia van enige spierketting spierfunksie kan inhibeer en dus ook die effektiwiteit van bewegingspatrone kan beïnvloed. Die isometriese Bankie-toets is gebruik om die fascia belyning in tien spierkettings te evalueer. Hierdie spierkettings is belangrik vir die uitvoer van algemene bewegingspatrone. Standaard funksionele toetse is gebruik om ratsheid, spoed, spoed-uithouvermoë, eksplosiewe krag van die onderste ledemate en spieruithouvermoë van die bolyfspiere te bepaal. Die verwantskap tussen fascia belyning en die aantal beserings in rugbyspelers is ook bepaal. Die proefpersone (n = 121) was almal elite-vlak rugbyspelers verbonde aan een van drie rugby akademies. Alle spelers het vrywillig deelgeneem aan die studie. Toetsing is eenmalig gedoen en het bestaan uit die Bankie-toets, die Illinois ratsheidstoets, ‘n 10m spoedtoets, ‘n 40m spoedtoets, ‘n herhaalde-spoed toets, ‘n vertikale sprong toets en ‘n maksimale optrektoets. Spelers het ook ‘n vraelys aangaande huidige en vorige beserings ingevul. Geen intervensie is in hierdie studie gedoen nie en die statistiese analise was dus op die bogenoemde gebaseer. Verskeie beduidende verwantskappe (p < 0.05) is gevind tussen die resultate van die Bankietoets en die resultate van die funksionele toetse. Spelers wat beter resultate in die Bankie-toets verkry het, het ook beter biomotoriese vermoëns getoon. Min beduidende resultate (p < 0.05) is gevind tussen die resultate van die Bankie-toets en die voorkoms van beserings. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat beperkinge in die fascia van spierkettings, soos deur die Bankie-toets bepaal, wel ‘n rugbyspeler se vermoë om biomotoriese bewegings optimaal uit te voer kan beïnvloed. Of beperkinge in die fascia ook aanleiding gee tot ‘n toename in aantal beserings kon nie met hierdie studie vasgestel word nie. Die Bankie-toets kan moontlik ‘n instrument vir afrigters en rehabilitasie-terapeute wees. Die doel daarvan sal wees om beperkinge en wanbalanse in spierkettings van atlete te bepaal. Indien hierdie probleme aangespreek word, behoort sportprestasie te verbeter.

ITC/USA 2011 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Seventh Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 24-27, 2011 / Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada / At ITC 2009, we described the real-world complications of fielding an airborne Synthetic beamforming Telemetry System, which simultaneously supports 20 individual beams (10 at each of 2 polarizations). We described how our layered Open-Source software approach helped us to modify the system rapidly after delivery without disrupting mission operations. Since then, we have further extended the software toolset that we developed to dissect the System behavior via post-mission replay and analysis, and to compare high-resolution in-flight measurements with our detailed physics simulations. This analysis has shown that the most significant factor affecting operational performance of the System was variation in the relative phase of the elements from day to day. These variations were traced to a variety of hardware issues, none of which could be resolved without major cost and effort. As an alternative approach, we developed a dynamic auto-tuning capability that optimizes the phase calibration of the System using each actual signal source as it is being tracked. This results in improved signal-to-noise performance while reducing the need for dedicated in-air calibration flights that we had previously created. We believe that the flexibility of digital beamforming, allied with a modular and easily-extensible software architecture, have again proven capable of quickly and cheaply mitigating real-world operational issues, without (so far) requiring any hardware modification of the delivered System.

Managerial characteristics have an important influence on strategy implementation. Previous studies have looked at the alignment of managerial characteristics with strategic type and aspects of performance. In all cases, the focus has been on corporate strategy and, predominantly, in private sector organisations. This study combines these objectives and investigates alignment between managerial characteristics, strategy and perceived performance. It focuses on management at the functional level in a public sector setting and demonstrates that classical upper-echelon theory is also relevant when applied at the functional level of management. The Miles and Snow (1978) typology is applied to the functional strategy for Dubai government organisations, to investigate whether functional units pursuing strategies are led by functional managers with dissimilar attributes, and whether the alignment between managerial characteristics and strategy is related to performance of the functional unit. Based on the extant literature, a research model has been developed, which yields two types of hypothesis. Data was collected by means of interviews and surveys to obtain knowledge of strategy types, and demographic and psychological characteristics for the functional managers. Regression techniques have been used for data analysis rendering support for two types of hypothesis. Consequently, this study supports the view that Upper Echelon theory can also apply at the functional level, emphasising the role of the functional managers, at the lower management levels of the organisations, in strategy implementation.