Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1987. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-57). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-103). Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, March, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (162-166)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, March, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (162-166)

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, 2018 / Path replanning in high dimensional dynamic environments is critical to the success of interactive and reactive robotic agents. State of the art replanning algorithms typically extend sampling-based methods such as rapidly-exploring random trees (RRT) or probabilistic roadmaps (PRM). However, the speed of replanning in complex configuration spaces is relatively slow, which limits the effectiveness of robotic agents in highly dynamic environments. This thesis proposes DRM-connect, a novel generalisation of the PRM and RRT-connect algorithms, which carries out replanning in dynamic environments by executing graph searches over an underlying graph G, using lazy collision checking. If a path through the graph is not found, DRM-connect will repair the graph using a novel extension to RRT-connect, which we call PRM-connect. Additionally, we investigate using an approximate Reeb graph as the underlying graph G, which attempts to capture the underlying topology of the task manifold from prior experience. DRM-connect is tested with both a Reeb graph and na¨ıve graph in a 2-D domain and compared to RRT, while DRMconnect with a Reeb graph is tested in three 7-D domains, and compared to RRT-connect. Through simulation we show that the combination of DRM-connect and a Reeb graph typically outperforms both RRT/RRT-connect and DRM-connect with a na¨ıve graph in terms of replanning times, with minimal impact on the length of the solution path. / XL2019

Thesis (MA. Agricultural Management (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / Body measurements have been used in animals to estimate body weight especially in rural areas where scales are not readily available. The study was conducted in Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo province, South Africa where the goats between the ages of 20 and 30 months were used. Body weight and four morphological traits were taken on each goat in the morning before they were released for grazing in a total of 613 indigenous goats of both sexes (62 male and 551 female). Body weight was measured in kilogram (kg) using a balance scale, hip height and shoulder height measurement (cm) were done using a graduated measuring stick and the body length and heart girth were measured in centimetre (cm) using a tape rule. Means, standard deviations (SD) and coefficients of variation (CV) of body weight and morphological traits were calculated. Pair wise correlations among body weight and morphological traits were also determined and range from 0.81-0.91 for male and 0.72-0.89 for female goats, respectively and were significant (P<0.01). The direct effect of heart girth on body weight was the strongest in both sexes (path coefficient of 0.58 and 0.62 in males and females, respectively). Body length (males) and body length and hip height (females) also positively (P<0.05) influenced body weight. The direct effects of other linear type traits on body weight in both sexes were non-significant as revealed by t-test. These traits were indirectly realized mostly via heart girth. Thus, they were removed from the final regression equations to obtain much more simplified prediction models. The optimum multiple regression equation for male goats included heart girth and body length, In female goats, however, the v variables included in the final prediction model were heart girth, body length and shoulder height. The forecast indices obtained in this study could aid in weight estimation, selection and breeding programmes.

Thesis (MA. Agricultural Management (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014. / Body measurements have been used in animals to estimate body weight especially in rural areas where scales are not readily available. The study was conducted in Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo province, South Africa where the goats between the ages of 20 and 30 months were used. Body weight and four morphological traits were taken on each goat in the morning before they were released for grazing in a total of 613 indigenous goats of both sexes (62 male and 551 female). Body weight was measured in kilogram (kg) using a balance scale, hip height and shoulder height measurement (cm) were done using a graduated measuring stick and the body length and heart girth were measured in centimetre (cm) using a tape rule. Means, standard deviations (SD) and coefficients of variation (CV) of body weight and morphological traits were calculated. Pair wise correlations among body weight and morphological traits were also determined and range from 0.81-0.91 for male and 0.72-0.89 for female goats, respectively and were significant (P<0.01). The direct effect of heart girth on body weight was the strongest in both sexes (path coefficient of 0.58 and 0.62 in males and females, respectively). Body length (males) and body length and hip height (females) also positively (P<0.05) influenced body weight. The direct effects of other linear type traits on body weight in both sexes were non-significant as revealed by t-test. These traits were indirectly realized mostly via heart girth. Thus, they were removed from the final regression equations to obtain much more simplified prediction models. The optimum multiple regression equation for male goats included heart girth and body length, In female goats, however, the v variables included in the final prediction model were heart girth, body length and shoulder height. The forecast indices obtained in this study could aid in weight estimation, selection and breeding programmes

This thesis may be broadly divided into two parts.The first part critically discusses various aspects of path analysis as a statistical tool for abstract analysis. The second part investigates the changing pattern of nuptiality in Bangladesh by districts using 1981 census data. Path analysis has been applied to find and analyze the nature and extent the of causal relationship between the dependent variable, nuptiality and its determinants. It is observed that education, urbanization,female employment and economic development are all strongly positivelyrelatedto nuptiality. That is, formal and effective education policy combined with proper urbanization and development policies may increase the female employment rate which in turn will raise age at marriage. Further, effects of various indices through childlessness is reasonably high. This indicates that appropriate population distribution policies and introduction of insurance schemes for childless couples and couples with fewer children may indirectly put positive effect on nuptiality.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1992. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [150]-155).

Thesis (M.C.S.) - Carleton University, 1992. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.