A local reconfiguration algorithm (INP) for reliable routing in wireless sensor networks that consist of many static (fixed) energy-constrained nodes is introduced in the dissertation. For routing around crash fault nodes, a communication tree structure connecting sensor nodes to the base station (sink or root) is dynamically reconfigured during information dissemination. Unlike other location based routing approaches, INP does not take any support from a high costing system that gives position information such as GPS. For reconfigurations, INP uses only local relational information in the tree structure among nearby nodes by collaboration between the nodes that does not need global maintenance, so that INP is energy efficient and it scales to large sensor networks. The performance of the algorithm is compared to the single path with repair routing scheme (SWR) that uses a global metric and the modified GRAdient broadcast scheme (GRAB-F) that uses interleaving multiple paths by computation and by simulations. The comparisons demonstrate that using local relative information is mostly enough for reconfigurations, and it consumes less energy and mostly better delivery rates than other algorithms especially in dense environments. For the control observer to know the network health status, two new diagnosis algorithms (Repre and Local) that deal with crash faults for wireless sensor networks are also introduced in the dissertation. The control observer knows not only the static faults found by periodic testing but also the dynamic faults found by a path reconfiguration algorithm like INP that is invoked from evidence during information dissemination. With based on this information, the control observer properly treats the network without lateness. Local algorithm is introduced for providing scalability to reduce communication energy consumption when the network size grows. The performance of these algorithms is computationally compared with other crash faults identification algorithm (WSNDiag). The comparisons demonstrate that maintaining the communication tree with local reconfigurations in Repre and Local needs less energy than making a tree per each diagnosis procedure in WSNDiag. They also demonstrate that providing scalability in Local needs less energy than other approaches.

The increasing demand for real-time multimedia applications and the lack of quality of service (QoS) support in public best-effort or Internet Protocol (IP) networks has prompted many researchers to propose improvements on the QoS of such networks. This research aims to improve the QoS of real-time multimedia applications in public best-effort networks, without modifying the core network infrastructure or the existing codecs of the original media applications. A source buffering control is studied based on a fluid model developed for a single flow transported over a best-effort network while allowing for flow reversal. It is shown that this control is effective for QoS improvement only when there is sufficient flow reversal or packet reordering in the network. An alternate control strategy based on predictive multi-path switching is studied where only two paths are considered as alternate options. Initially, an emulation study is performed, exploring the impact of path loss rate and traffic delay signal frequency content on the proposed control. The study reveals that this control strategy provides the best QoS improvement when the average comprehensive loss rates of the two paths involved are between 5% and 15%, and when the delay signal frequency content is around 0.5 Hz. Linear and nonlinear predictors are developed using actual network data for use in predictive multi-path switching control. The control results show that predictive path switching is better than no path switching, yet no one predictor developed is best for all cases studied. A voting based control strategy is proposed to overcome this problem. The results show that the voting based control strategy results in better performance for all cases studied. An actual voice quality test is performed, proving that predictive path switching is better than no path switching. Despite the improvements obtained, predictive path switching control has some scalability problems and other shortcomings that require further investigation. If there are more paths available to choose from, the increasing overhead in probing traffic might become unacceptable. Further, if most of the VoIP flows on the Internet use this control strategy, then the conclusions of this research might be different, requiring modifications to the proposed approach. Further studies on these problems are needed.

Fault diagnosis plays an important role in improving the circuit design process and the manufacturing yield. With the increasing number of gates in modern circuits, determining the source of failure in a defective circuit is becoming more and more challenging. In this research, we present an efficient effect-cause diagnosis framework for combinational VLSI circuits. The framework consists of three stages to obtain an accurate and reasonably precise diagnosis. First, an improved critical path tracing algorithm is proposed to identify an initial suspect list by backtracing from faulty primary outputs toward primary inputs. Compared to the traditional critical path tracing approach, our algorithm is faster and exact. Second, a novel probabilistic ranking model is applied to rank the suspects so that the most suspicious one will be ranked at or near the top. Several fast filtering methods are used to prune unrelated suspects. Finally, to refine the diagnosis, fault simulation is performed on the top suspect nets using several common fault models. The difference between the observed faulty behavior and the simulated behavior is used to rank each suspect. Experimental results on ISCAS85 benchmark circuits show that this diagnosis approach is efficient both in terms of memory space and CPU time and the diagnosis results are accurate and reasonably precise.

This study examined the relationship of holistic scoring with handwriting legibility, spelling accuracy and number of T-units within compositions written by children in grades 3 through 6 using path analysis. A sample of 223 compositions was rated for handwriting legibility and composition quality, and coded for number of T-units and percentage of accurately spelled words. Number of T-units was consistently the strongest predictor of holistic scoring across the four grade levels. Handwriting legibility and spelling accuracy yielded varying results in different grade levels.

Various civil and military applications of UAVs, or ground robots, require a set of vehicles to monitor a group of targets. Routing problems naturally arise in this setting where the operators of the vehicles have to plan the paths suitably in order to optimize the use of resources available such as sensors, fuel etc. These vehicles may differ either in their structural (design and dynamics) or functional (sensing) capabilities. This thesis addresses an important routing problem involving two heterogeneous vehicles. As the addressed routing problem is NP-Hard, we develop an approximation algorithm and heuristics to solve the problem. Our approach involves dividing the routing problem into two sub-problems: Partitioning and Sequencing. Partitioning the targets involves finding two distinct sets of targets, each corresponding to one of the vehicles. We then find a sequence in which these targets need to be visited in order to optimize the use of resources to the maximum possible extent. The sequencing problem can be solved either by Christofides algorithm or the Lin-Kernighan Heuristic (LKH). The problem of partitioning is tackled by solving a Linear Program (LP) obtained by relaxing some of the constraints of an Integer Programming (IP) model for the problem. We observe the performance of two LP models for the partitioning. The first LP model is obtained by relaxing only the integrality constraints whereas in the second model relaxes both integrality and degree constraints. The algorithms were implemented in a C++ environment with the help of Concert Technology for CPLEX, and Boost Graph Libraries. The performance of these algorithms was studied for 50 random instances of varying problem sizes. It was found that on an average, the algorithms based on the first LP model provided better (closer to the optimum) solutions as compared to those based on the second LP model. We also observed that for both the LP models, the average quality of solutions given by the heuristics were found to be better ( within 5% of the optimum) than the average quality of solutions obtained from the approximation algorithm (between 30 - 60% of the optimum depending on the problem size).

The 21st century is the time for network economic with hyper-competition. The well-developed information technology makes information flow smoothly among suppliers, retailers, competitors, and entrants. Thus, that lowers the barrier for entry, imitation, and then increases the difficulty in long-term competitive advantage. Under such circumstances, Teece et al. (1994) published the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, DCT, for the incomplete description of former competitive strategies such as Competitive Forces, Strategic Conflict, and Resource-Based Theory (RBT). DCT is referred to a firm¡¦s capabilities to integrate, build, and reconfigure internal and external competences to address rapidly changing environments. The purpose of this study is to apply the absorptive capabilities to investigate the affecting factors of organizations¡¦ dynamic capabilities from the knowledge management perspective. In addition, the path-dependence of absorptive capabilities is discussed and verified in this study as well. The empirical results show that absorptive capabilities have strong influence on organizations¡¦ dynamic capabilities and the path-dependence of absorptive capabilities is supported in this study. From the academic application, the results of this study provide the research model of absorptive capabilities and dynamic capabilities to the following researchers who are interested in these topics. And, from the practice implication, firms can adopt this results and suggestion of this study to build dynamic capabilities throuth knowledge absorption.

With recent growth in mobile components and advances in wireless communication technology, mobile computing is an increasingly important area of research. Enabling mobility in IP networks becomes more and more significant. Mobile IP is the only current means for offering seamless roaming to mobile computers in the Internet. It has recently progressed along the ladder to standardization within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). However, Mobile IP suffers from so-called triangular-routing problem and packet loss due to handoff. In this paper, we propose a new architecture to solve these two problems noted above. We assume that network routers such as Home Agent¡BForeign Agent¡BGeneral Router can equip our Pre-Accessing Engine (Mobile IP Engine) to access IP packets before IP routing Engine. With our Mobile IP table established in Mobile IP Engine, we can set up a transmission path for each correspondent node (CN) to transmit data to mobile node (MN). Therefore, we not only solve triangular-routing problem by direct transmission path, but also decrease handoff latency from path updating function. Furthermore, we use retransmission and flush schemes to avoid packet loss and out-of-order problems. Finally, we use simulation to prove our architecture is useful.

Abstract This study concludes the position feedback from discussing about the trend of the evolution of flat panel display ¡]FPD¡^technology by using the path dependence theory. Based on this theory, the research on the valuation curve of application forms the model of valuable development. Therefore, the position feedback of FPD technology is established according to the system dynamic theory. The key factors of position feedback are defined as below: ¡]1¡^The ages of digital TV, ¡]2¡^Light¡Bthin¡Bshort¡Bsmall¡Brapid ¡]3¡^ Good quality of CRT¡]4¡^Low cost¡]5¡^Market scale¡K etc.. It explains the character of every key factor of path dependence for FPD. In accordance with the application of valuation curve, FPD is classified into six types¡GLCD¡BPDP¡BLCOS¡BDLP¡BFED and OLED. The classification is also based on JPRI(Japan picture research institute) standard¡G ¡]1¡^the way of luminescence¡]2¡^ the size of screen¡]3¡^ the outward appearance¡]4¡^ weight¡]5¡^ Brightness¡]6¡^ Contrast Ratio¡]7¡^ View Angle¡]8¡^ Resolution¡]9¡^ response time¡]10¡^ consume power¡]11¡^ life time¡]12¡^ flexibility¡]13¡^ product application scope etc. Use the weighted index method to calculate the sum of valuation for six types of FPD technology. Drawing a valuation curve by weighted index¡]Y axis¡^ and time table(X axis). The conclusions of this study are as follows: 1. FPD technology has the obvious tendency of the path dependence. 2. By the path dependence theory, the technology of FED and OLED have potential for replacing the LCD-TFT technology. The conclusions above are significant to the management in the following prospects. 1.The mode of position feedback of high technology industry will have many references for the developmental path of industry. 2.Based on Taiwan¡¦s photo-electric industry, it is necessary to penetrate the tendency of Japan¡¦s research in order to promote the FPD industry in Taiwan. Key word¡Gpath dependence¡Bsystem dynamic theory¡Bflat panel display

The main objective of this research is to adopt SCORM SSS (Simple Sequence Specification) standard to develop an adaptive learning system and to access its effectiveness for adaptive learning. The dependent variable of this research is the learners¡¦ learning outcomes, including three constructs that are the learning performance, satisfaction and learning efficiency. The subjects of this research are two classes with total of 61 students in the fifth grade of elementary school, the experiment group has 31 students, and the control group has 30 students. Experiment learning topic is decimal division in mathematics of primary school. The learning materials are designed by a professional teacher in the field of mathematics domain. The concept map and instructional flow chart were used to guide the content design. The result has found that the adaptive learning not only has the same level of learning performance, but also has a higher learning efficiency comparing with the traditional learning. The contributions of this research are; to provide an exemplification of how to design an adaptive learning course using SCORM SSS compliant LMS; to show the advantage that learners don¡¦t have to strict on a fixed learning path like in a traditional courses; and to demonstrate the potential for those competent students who can use less time to complete normal tasks and hence get chances to explore more in depth knowledge.

For a long time, Taiwan media industry is affected greatly by the interwoven of economics and politics; before 1988 the numbers of newspaper¡Bbroadcasting station and TV company were heavily controlled by the government, but after 1988, due to the advancement of media technology, we witnessed that not only the scale and scope of whole industry expanded, but also the number of firm increases in accompany with the path of policy deregulation and democratic movement. Due to the emergence of media-broadcasting technology and the ¡§convergence¡¨ of TV¡B communication and network, conglomerate media firm appears in Taiwan which shows the ambitious development of cross-boundary from local-region to region-global, and the approach used by firm attract the attention and concern of scholars in different academic arenas. This thesis firstly proposed an economic-politic analysis of media industry, secondly, presented an integrated framework of industry evolution and international media expansion path, and thirdly, the case of Eastern Multimedia Group is examined and analyzed. Examining the organization change and the expansion path of Eastern Multimedia Group, the similarity between Eastern Multimedia Group and the giant firm like News Group can be found and identified, but seemly that the product sphere and its influence power are not as great as the international firm, and the expansion path is confined by the regional opportunity and market.