ITC/USA 2014 Conference Proceedings / The Fiftieth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 20-23, 2014 / Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, San Diego, CA / This experiment has two purposes. One, to determine if a modern diversity combiner normally used in missile telemetry for polarization diversity can be used for spatial diversity to obtain a gain in the signal quality. Two, to determine if a simple test can be designed such that a non-laboratory test can be performed by the average telemetry operator in order to assess the first purpose.

The purpose of this study was to describe the herd antibody status to Salmonella Typhimurium as estimated from co-mingled milk samples and to describe the resulting geographical patterns found in Texas dairy herds. Bulk tank milk samples were collected from 852 Grade A dairies throughout Texas during the summer of 2001. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using S. Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide was performed with signal to noise ratios calculated for each sample. The ELISA ratio was used in fitting a theoretical variogram and kriging was used to develop a predicted surface for these ratios in Texas. A spatial process with areas of higher risk located in the panhandle and near Waller County was apparent. Lower risk areas included Atascosa, Cooke, Collin, Titus, Comanche and Cherokee Counties. Subsets representing large dairy sheds in northeast Texas, the Erath County area, and the Hopkins County area were also evaluated individually. Each result illustrated a spatial process with areas of low and high ELISA ratio predictions. Cluster analysis was performed for the entire state with cases defined as herds having milk ELISA ratios greater than or equal to 1.8. Using this cutoff, the prevalence of herds with positive bulk tank milk ELISAs was 4.3%. Significant clustering of cases was demonstrated by the Cuzick and Edward's test. The spatial scan statistic then identified the two most likely clusters located in and near the Texas Panhandle. This study demonstrated that the distribution of S. Typhimurium antibodies in bulk tank milk in Texas is describable by a spatial process. Knowledge of this process will help elucidate geospatial influences on the presence of S. Typhimurium in dairy herds and enhance our understanding of the epidemiology of salmonellosis.

The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is a cortical region receiving inputs from different sensory modalities which has been shown to subserve a visuospatial function. The potential contribution of PPC in audiospatial behaviours and recognition of amodal spatial correspondences were postulated and assessed in the present study. Adult male Long- Evans rats received PPC lesions by aspiration, and they were compared to sham operated control rats on three behavioural tasks. In the Morris water maze, the rats had to learn to use the distal visual cues to locate an escape platform hidden in the pool. In an open field task, the rats were assessed on their reactions to a spatial relocation of a visual or an auditory object. In a spatial cross-modal transfer (CMT) task (Tees & Buhrmann, 1989), rats were trained to respond to light signals using spatial rules, and were then subjected to transfer tests using comparable sound signals. Results from the Morris water maze, the open field, and the initial training phase of the spatial CMT task confirmed a visuospatial deficit in PPC lesioned rats. However, if given sufficient training, PPC lesioned rats could learn the location of a hidden platform in the Morris water maze, and they could also acquire spatial rules in the CMT task. Such results indicated that the visuospatial deficits in PPC lesioned rats were less severe than previously thought. On the other hand, a persistent navigational difficulty characterized by a looping pattern of movement was observed in the PPC lesioned rats in the Morris water maze. Results from the open field indicated that PPC was less involved in audiospatial behaviours. Moreover, results also indicated that PPC was not necessary for spatial CMT. Hence, data from the present study did not support the idea that PPC played an essential role in supramodal spatial abilities in the rats. Instead, data from the spatial CMT task seemed to imply a role of PPC in managing conflicting spatial information coming from different sensory modalities.

Data warehousing and On-line Analytical Processing (OLAP) are powerful tools for processing and analyzing business and analytical data. It is estimated that 80% of the data stored in data warehouses have some spatial components. It is our belief that there is a need for powerful OLAP tools that are capable of processing and analyzing spatial data. This thesis explores the design and implementation of Spatial OLAP (SOLAP) systems and describes approaches to support the characteristic features of OLAP while seamlessly integrating spatial data into the analysis process. In particular, we analyze the evaluation of OLAP queries in the presence of asymmetric, multiple-alternative, generalized, and non-strict spatial dimension hierarchies. We introduce a new pipeline-based query evaluation model that is comprehensive and powerful in that it provides a uniform approach to the expression of spatial OLAP queries that address all major dimension hierarchy types while permitting a uniform treatment of both spatial and non-spatial data. A reference implementation called "LISA" validates the objectives of our model and demonstrates favorable scalability and performance on modern multi-processor and multi-core hardware platforms. We also describe a new "geoCUBE" index, to address the fundamental problem of how to represent, index and efficiently query data that is defined by a mix of spatial and categorical attribute values. The geoCUBE index extends existing methods for indexing OLAP data to spatial data types. The effectiveness of the geoCUBE data structure is confirmed through evaluation. Lastly, we propose algorithms that facilitate OLAP-like analysis of moving object data. We introduce a new class of GROUP BY operators specifically targeted to the OLAP analysis of trajectories and to answering aggregate queries with respect to the spatio-temporal movement of a set of objects. Through an experimental evaluation we show our operators can be used to reliably identify groups of related trajectories when applied to synthetic and real world moving object data.

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The objective of this dissertation is to extend the use of spatial predictive modelling for use by biosecurity agencies to help prevent the introductions of new and emerging invasive plants (i.e., pests). A critical review of international and national policy instruments found that they did not effectively articulate how spatial predictive modelling could be incorporated into the biosecurity toolbox. To determine how spatial predictive modelling could be extended I modelled the potential distribution of Tamarix and Lythrum salicaria in Prairie Canada using a genetic algorithm. New seasonal growth data was used to interpolate a growing degree-day’s risk surface for L. salicaria. Models were developed using suites of predictive variables as well as different data partitioning methods and evaluated using different performance measures. Expert evaluation was found to important in final model selection. The results indicated that both invasive plants have yet to reach their potential distribution in Prairie Canada. The spatial models can be used to direct risk-based surveillance efforts and to support biosecurity policy decisions. The results of this dissertation conclude that spatial predictive modelling is an informative tool that needs to be incorporated into the biosecurity toolbox. A phytosanitary standard is proposed to guide toolbox development.

The purposes of the study was to evaluate an effect of increasing balance task demands and visual tracking task demands, on stability and visual tracking performances, with possibility of any interaction among them. Twenty healthy participants were asked to perform various visual tracking tasks, with different attentional demands, while standing on various support surfaces. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measure design was performed to estimate significant effect. Support surface properties showed significant effects on stability measures but no significant effect on visual tracking performances were noticed. Significant effect of increasing visual tracking task demands on visual tracking performances were found. However, increasing visual tracking task demand did not show any significant effect on stability measures. Significant interaction effect was also found between surface properties and visual tracking task demands for stability measures. In conclusion, increasing balance demands effect stability and increasing visual tracking demands effect visual tracking performances.

This research investigated whether completing an introductory GIS course affects college students' spatial literacy as defined by spatial habits of mind, spatial concepts and thinking skills, and critical spatial thinking. This study employed three tests (spatial habits of mind inventory, spatial concepts and skills test, critical spatial thinking oral test) to measure students' performance on these three elements. Furthermore, this research investigated the relationship among the components. Pre- and post-tests were conducted at the beginning and the end of the 2010 fall semester, and Texas A&M undergraduate students participated in the research. The following four research questions were examined. The first research question investigated whether GIS learning improves spatial habits of mind (n = 168). Five sub-dimensions of spatial habits of mind (pattern recognition, spatial description, visualization, spatial concept use, and spatial tool use) were identified. Overall, GIS students' spatial habits of mind were enhanced. However, variations existed when considering students' performance by dimension. The second research question explored whether GIS learning affects students' understanding and use of spatial concepts and thinking skills (n = 171). This research found that the GIS course was beneficial in improving students' spatial cognition. Students increased their understanding of key spatial concepts and applied conceptual understanding into wider contexts with advanced spatial thinking skills. The third research question examined the effects of a GIS course through interviews on the three sub-dimensions of critical spatial thinking: data reliability, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving validity (n = 32). The quantitative analyses indicated that participants developed their ability regarding these three sub-dimensions of critical spatial thinking. In particular, their ability to assess data reliability and problem-solving validity improved, an effect not likely to be enhanced by other coursework. Findings from qualitative thematic analysis confirmed these quantitative outcomes. The final research question probed the relationships among the three components of spatial literacy. Pearson?s correlation coefficient, a 3D space (termed "score space" in this study), a test for independence, and an exploratory factor analysis suggested that the three components are positively correlated. However, more research is necessary to confirm the results reported in this study.

Dengue fever poses a constant serious risk and continues to be a major public health threat in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the city of Jeddah where, since 2006, despite formally introduced Control Strategies, there has been a significant increase in the number of cases. International literature suggests that a range of variables can influence the persistence of dengue, including climatic conditions, the quality of the urban environment, socioeconomic status and control strategies. The overall aims of this research are to understand neighbourhood influences on the pattern of dengue fever across Jeddah City and to make a preliminary determination of the enabling factors for, and barriers to, the effective implementation of the Control Strategies for dengue fever in Jeddah City. A mixed methods research design using quantitative and qualitative data was used. Quantitative data were obtained from administrative sources for dengue fever cases and some of the spatial and temporal variables associated with them, but new variables were created for neighbourhood status and the presence of surface water. Qualitative data are drawn from key informant interviews with 15 people who were, or who had been, working on dengue fever Control Strategies. A qualitative descriptive analysis was based on pre- determined and emergent themes. The spatial and temporal analysis of the variables related to dengue fever in Jeddah City neighbourhoods revealed that neighbourhood status has a direct relationship with dengue fever cases, which is mediated through population density and the presence of non- Saudi immigrants. While there was no relationship with the presence of swamps, seasonal variations in the incidence of dengue were most pronounced in neighbourhoods of low socioeconomic status. The qualitative review of dengue Control Strategies indicated five themes: (1) workforce characteristics and capability, (2) knowledge about dengue fever in Saudi Arabia and Jeddah City, (3) operational strategies for dengue fever control in Jeddah City, (4) the progress of implementation, and (5) overall view of the Government strategies in Jeddah City. This analysis found that the Strategies were well regarded but that aspects of implementation were not always effective. Nevertheless, both quantitative and qualitative results showed the persistence dengue fever problems in Jeddah City neighbourhoods and suggested how cases might be controlled. The number of dengue fever cases in Jeddah City neighbourhoods could continue to rise if the direct and indirect variables affecting dengue fever at the neighbourhood level are not well controlled. Careful attention to the further monitoring of patterns of dengue and specific neighbourhood Control Strategies are recommended, and established Control Strategies need to be implemented as designed. Nonetheless, there is still a need to develop new approaches that can examine and address neighbourhood level issues of dengue fever control.