The use of seismic waves to detect subsurface targets such as landmines is a very promising technology compared to existing methods like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) sensing. The fact that seismic waves induce resonance in man-made targets, and hence more scattering, gives this method a natural ability to discriminate landmines from common types of clutter like rocks, wood, etc. Reflection and resonance from the targets can be used in imaging to detect the location of targets. However, existing methods require a large number of measurements for imaging and detection, which are expensive and time consuming. To reduce the number of measurements and enable faster detections, a new sensing strategy is proposed based on optimally maneuvering sensors. The system would operate in two main modes. In search mode, the goal would be to move on top of a target using the minimum number of measurements. Once the target is found, the system would switch to a detection mode to make its final decision. The seismic sensor system is an active system, where a seismic source generates the probing pulse. The waves reflected from buried targets are collected by an array of sensors placed on the surface, and then an imaging algorithm is used to estimate the target position. The performance bounds for this position estimate are derived in terms of the Fisher information matrix (FIM). This matrix gives the dependence of the target position estimate on the array position. Based on the FIM, the next optimal array position is determined by using the theory of optimal experiments. The next array position will be the one that reduces the uncertainty of the target position estimate the most. The whole array is moved to this new position, where the same steps are repeated. In this way, the target can be localized in a few iterations.

With the rapid development of IT and broadband network, voice, data and video services are gradually integrated. IPTV is one of the popular products, which can deliver and provide consumers a variety of digitized content over the internet. Despite of the advantages mentioned above, IPTV in Taiwan is still not a threat to traditional TV. Therefore, many interesting issues were coming up. One of the interesting issues is looking into the factors of influencing continuance intention. This study explores the factors through the literature reviewing and the data collected from practitioners and participants. Moreover, we try to explain and verify the factors affecting the continuance intention by proposing a new model derived from Value-based Adoption Model (VAM) and Exception-Confirmation Model (ECM). In this research, an empirical survey methodology with 7 hypotheses was applied to verify this model. Partial Least Squares (PLS) was used to analyze the data and evaluate the model. The results not only identify the effective factors of perceived benefit and perceived sacrifice to IPTV services, but also showed that perceived value was influenced by the trade-off between perceived benefit and sacrifice, as well as by the consumers¡¦ confirmation level. The value that consumers perceive from IPTV services will have a significant effect on satisfaction and the continuance intention. In sum, the study explores the factors of perceived benefit and perceived sacrifice, and proposes a more comprehensive framework to explain the ¡§continuing using behavior¡¨. This study also provides a reference model for the value-based or IPTV research and some suggestions for the IPTV practitioners.

The research applied qualitative methods such as historical approach, documentary analysis and semi-structural interview survey to collect data, so as to explore how would the rotation of ruling parties influence the certification of education taken in the Mainland China. It has been a decade since the policy of such certification was initiated by the KMT President Lee Teng-Hui and followed by DDP President Chen Shui-Pien. Though the approach had been set perfectly, it just could not be promulgated and implemented, the KMT government led by President Ma Ying-Chiu had finished the legal procedures for the certification of education taken in the Mainland China and the permission of PRC students to study in Taiwan, but the legislation limits the certification of medical education taken in the Mainland China, and PRC student are prohibited from studying relevant departments of national security and registering the exams for civil services and any licenses. What on earth are the crucial factors for those situations? That¡¦s the very problems the study would like to explore. There were 4 main research purposes for the study to take: (1) To explore the reasons why such certification policy constituted by the Ministry of Education (MOE) would change. (2) To expound how the rotation of ruling parties influenced the policy change for constituting the certification of education taken in the Mainland China. (3) To research the approach and process for MOE to forward and lay out the policy of certificating the education taken in the Mainland China. (4) To explore the ultimate factors of decision-making for such certification policy. As browsing the research conclusion generally, it could find that 1. The MOE couldn¡¦t independently dominate the permission of PRC students to study in Taiwan and the certification of education taken in the Mainland China, but only has the competence to lay out relevant approaches. 2. The certification of education taken in the Mainland China was not purely educational issue, but public issue that was politicized. 3. Taiwan is a democratic country, any decision-making related to public affairs would have to emphasize political consultations and respect the perception of the people. 4. The policy of certifying the education taken in the Mainland China was decided by the ruling party¡¦s domestic and foreign policy toward the Mainland China.

Project (D. Min.)--Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1982. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-146).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, MO, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-134).

Philosophers, psychologists, and authors have long pondered the question of whether others’ expectations or one’s own self-views are more important in determining behavior and personality. Researchers have designated these two processes behavioral confirmation and self-verification, respectively, and the interaction of these processes is often referred to as identity negotiation. Little research has examined the process of identity negotiation during adolescence, a period during which individuals are attempting to forge unique identities. Therefore, the primary purpose of the present studies was to examine the identity negotiation process during adolescence. In Study 1, I examined whether adolescents (11-15 years of age) solicit self-verifying feedback. Adolescents first completed a measure of self-perceptions and then selected whether to receive positive or negative feedback from an unknown peer in areas of perceived strength and weakness. Adolescents desired feedback congruent with their own self-views; those with higher self-esteem tended to request more positive feedback than those with lower self-esteem. Further, adolescents were more likely to seek negative feedback regarding a self-perceived weakness than a self-perceived strength. In Study 2, I examined the joint operation of behavioral confirmation and self-verification in dyadic interactions among unacquainted adolescents. One member of each dyad (the target) completed a measure of self-perception. The second member of each dyad (the perceiver) was provided with false information regarding the attractiveness of their partner. I compared whether targets’ self-views or perceivers’ expectations of them were stronger determinants of behavior. Self-verification strivings were evident in these interactions; targets’ self-views influenced the perceivers’ final evaluations of their partners. Support for behavioral confirmation was lacking in same-sex dyads and dyads composed of male perceivers and female targets. Appearance based expectations influenced target behavior in dyads composed of female perceivers and male targets. The current findings suggest that adolescents’ self-views are important determinants of behavior. Significant implications for adolescent mental health and peer selection are discussed. / text

Thesis (Ph. D. in Missiology)--Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, 2003. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 534-544) and indexes.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, MO, 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-134).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, 1995. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 147-150).

Thesis (Ph. D. in Missiology)--Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, 2003. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 534-544) and indexes.