This thesis analyzes the direction of time problem in the framework of philosophy of science. The radiation arrow, Newtonian arrow, thermodynamic arrow and quantum mechanical arrow have been studied in detail. The importance of the structure of space-time concerning direction of time is emphasized.

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Many construction companies today utilize webcams on their jobsites to monitor and record construction operations. Jobsite monitoring is often limited to outdoor construction operations due to lack of mobility of wired webcams. A wireless webcam may help monitor indoor construction operations with enhanced mobility. The transfer time of sending a photograph from the wireless webcam, however, is slower than that of a wired webcam. It is expected that professionals may have to analyze indoor construction operations with longer interval time-lapse photographs if they want to use a wireless webcam. This research aimed to determine the maximum time interval for time-lapse photos that enables professionals to interpret construction operations and productivity. In order to accomplish the research goal, brickwork of five different construction sites was videotaped. Various interval time-lapse photographs were generated from each video. Worker?s activity in these photographs was examined and graded. The grades in one-second interval photographs were compared with the grades of the same in longer time interval photographs. Error rates in observing longer time-lapse photographs were then obtained and analyzed to find the maximum time interval of time-lapse photography for monitoring construction operations. Research has discovered that the observation error rate increased rapidly until the 60-second interval and its increasing ratio remained constant. This finding can be used to predict a reasonable amount of error rate when observing time-lapse photographs less than 60-second interval. The observation error rate with longer than 60-second interval did not show a constant trend. Thus, the 60-second interval could be considered as the maximum time interval for professionals to interpret construction operations and productivity.

Time perspective, as measured with the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI), has been empirically linked to many behaviors including health behaviors, time spent with family and friends, and career decisions. This dissertation research builds on investigations of time perspective by testing hypotheses about the relationship between each of Zimbardo’s five time perspectives with residual time allocation, recreation experience preferences, and health and life satisfaction. Using a short questionnaire and time diary data, the relationship between how individuals frame time in the present, past, or future and how they allocate their discretionary time is described. Findings provide the foundation for continued study of the relationship of time perspective and recreation. Next, the relationship between an individual’s time perspective and the benefits they seek from recreation are identified. Using results from a selfadministered mail questionnaire, hypotheses about the benefits sought by adults with different time perspectives are tested. Finally, results from the mail questionnaire are again used to test hypotheses about the relationship between time perspective, physical health, psychological health and life satisfaction. Findings provide information about the impact of different time perspectives on individual wellness and happiness. Moreover, results provide a tool for targeting adults in need of leisure education. In summary, this study provides a starting point for the use of time perspective in leisure research. Much replication, extension and application research will be required to extend findings from current results using student and general population samples. The dissertation is organized in four sections. An introductory section presents the theoretical orientation for research. The second, third, and fourth sections explicate the relationship of Zimbardo’s five time perspectives with residual time allocation, benefits sought from recreation, and health and life satisfaction.

A control system in which sensors, actuators, and controllers are interconnected over a communication network is called a networked control system (NCS). Enhanced computational capabilities and bandwidths in the networking technology enabled researchers to develop NCSs to implement distributed control schemes. This dissertation presents a framework for the modeling, design, stability analysis, control, and bandwidth allocation of real-time control over networks. This framework covers key research issues regarding control over networks and can be the guidelines of NCS design. A single actuator ball magnetic-levitation (maglev) system is implemented as a test bed for the real-time control over networks to illustrate and verify the theoretical results of this dissertation. Experimentally verifying the feasibility of Internet-based real-time control is another main objective of this dissertation. First, this dissertation proposes a novel NCS model in which the effects of the networkinduced time delay, data-packet loss, and out-of-order data transmission are all considered. Second, two simple algorithms based on model-estimator and predictor- and timeout-scheme are proposed to compensate for the network-induced time delay and packet loss simultaneously. These algorithms are verified experimentally by the ball maglev test bed. System stability analyses of original and compensated systems are presented. Then, a novel co-design consideration related to real-time control and network communication is also proposed. The working range of the sampling frequency is determined by the analysis of the system stability and network parameters such as time delay, data rate, and data-packet size. The NCS design chart developed in this dissertation can be a useful guideline for choosing the network and control parameters in the design of an NCS. Using a real-time operating system for real-time control over networks is also proposed as one of the main contributions of this dissertation. After a real-time NCS is successfully implemented, advanced control theories such as robust control, optimal control, and adaptive control are applied and formulated to improve the quality of control (QoC) of NCSs. Finally, an optimal dynamic bandwidth management method is proposed to solve the optimal network scheduling and bandwidth allocation problem when NCSs are connected to the same network and are sharing the network resource.

This work is devoted to formulation and development of a laser spectroscopic technique for rapid detection of biohazards, such as Bacillus anthracis spores. Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) is used as an underlying process for active retrieval of species-specific characteristics of an analyte. Vibrational modes of constituent molecules are Raman-excited by a pair of ultrashort, femtosecond laser pulses, and then probed through inelastic scattering of a third, time-delayed laser field. We first employ the already known time-resolved CARS technique. We apply it to the spectroscopy of easy-to-handle methanol-water mixtures, and then continue building our expertise on solutions of dipicolinic acid (DPA) and its salts, which happen to be marker molecules for bacterial spores. Various acquisition schemes are evaluated, and the preference is given to multi-channel frequency-resolved detection, when the whole CARS spectrum is recorded as a function of the probe pulse delay. We demonstrate a simple detection algorithm that manages to differentiate DPA solution from common interferents. We investigate experimentally the advantages and disadvantages of near-resonant probing of the excited molecular coherence, and finally observe the indicative backscattered CARS signal from DPA and NaDPA powders. The possibility of selective Raman excitation via pulse shaping of the preparation pulses is also demonstrated. The analysis of time-resolved CARS experiments on powders and B. subtilis spores, a harmless surrogate for B. anthracis, facilitates the formulation of a new approach, where we take full advantage of the multi-channel frequency-resolved acquisition and spectrally discriminate the Raman-resonant CARS signal from the background due to other instantaneous four-wave mixing (FWM) processes. Using narrowband probing, we decrease the magnitude of the nonresonant FWM, which is further suppressed by the timing of the laser pulses. The devised technique, referred to as hybrid CARS, leads to a single-shot detection of as few as 104 bacterial spores, bringing CARS spectroscopy to the forefront of potential candidates for real-time biohazard detection. It also gives promise to many other applications of CARS, hindered so far by the presence of the overwhelming nonresonant FWM background, mentioned above.

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In 1988, through the book of¡mThe Time of Music¡nJonathan D. Kramer (1942 - 2004) provided various point of view to understand the description analysis of the¡§Time Experience¡¨of music : by way of using the methods of¡§waiting¡¨and¡§explain¡¨in both linear and nonlinear in the description analysis of¡§Time Experience¡¨, the situation of ¡§personal time experience¡¨can be emphasized; via¡§musical performance interface¡¨, the subconscious communication interface can be stirred; under the process of interaction experience the multiperspective image can be presented and the difference with the traditional analysis and description analysis in the time experience with listening experience situation can be compared. To analysis and integrates the methods of description analysis in¡§Time Experience¡¨from Kramer' s ¡mThe Time of Music¡n is the aim of this thesis. Through¡§personal time experience¡¨ in ¡§musical performance interface¡¨, there are three categories can be discussed such as : 1) a number of the descriptions about¡§musical performance interface¡¨; 2) the concepts of¡§personal time experience¡¨in music via different auras in terms of musical performance interfaces¡F3) the points are strongly related to the perspective of¡§personal time experience¡¨in music and being the matrix of Music.

The major purpose of LED is the electroluminescence. We use the time-resolved electroluminescence (TR-EL) method to measure the response time of LED in our experiments. In addition, typical diode has optical beam induced current (OBIC) characteristic in its depletion region. Combining upon physical reaction we can compare TR-EL and OBIC in the same LED. We are using the high frequency function generator, pulsed laser with high repetition rate, laser scanning confocal microscopy and a high frequency phase sensitive lock-in loop to achieve temporal resolution. The response time of LED can be measured in two different physical characteristic.

Trait neuroticism, time of day, and day of the week were assessed as predictors of state fatigue. After completing an in-lab questionnaire, 176 participants (N = 176) reported their state subjective fatigue three times a day for 8 days. Trait neuroticism was shown to be a predictor of subjective fatigue states in the morning, early evening, at bedtime, and over the course of the 8-day study period. Additionally, results indicated statistically significant differences in subjective fatigue at different points in the day. A statistically significant Neuroticism X Day of the Week interaction indicated that the neuroticism -fatigue relationship was strongest on Tuesday and weakest on Sunday. The relative contribution of personality, time of day, and day of the week variables to state subjective fatigue are discussed.