This is a thesis written for a master's degree at the Computer Vision Laboratory, University of Linköping. An abstract outer product is defined and used as a bridge to reach 2:nd and 4:th order tensors. Some applications of these in geometric analysis of range data are discussed and illustrated. In idealized setups, simple geometric objects, like spheres or polygons, are successfully detected. Finally, the generalization to n:th order tensors for storing and analysing geometric information is discussed.

Internet protocol TV (IPTV) is predicted to be the key technology winner in the future. Efforts to accelerate the deployment of IPTV centralized model which is combined of VHO, encoders, controller, access network and Home network. Regardless of whether the network is delivering live TV, VOD, or Time-shift TV, all content and network traffic resulting from subscriber requests must traverse the entire network from the super-headend all the way to each subscriber's Set-Top Box (STB). IPTV services require very stringent QoS guarantees When IPTV traffic shares the network resources with other traffic like data and voice, how to ensure their QoS and efficiently utilize the network resources is a key and challenging issue. For QoS measured in the network-centric terms of delay jitter, packet losses and bounds on delay. The main focus of this thesis is on the optimized bandwidth allocation and smooth data transmission. The proposed traffic model for smooth delivering video service IPTV network with its QoS performance evaluation. According to Maglaris et al [5] first, analyze the coding bit rate of a single video source. Various statistical quantities are derived from bit rate data collected with a conditional replenishment inter frame coding scheme. Two correlated Markov process models (one in discrete time and one in continuous time) are shown to fit the experimental data and are used to model the input rates of several independent sources into a statistical multiplexer. Preventive control mechanism which is to be including CAC, traffic policing used for traffic control. QoS has been evaluated of common bandwidth scheduler( FIFO) by use fluid models with Markovian queuing method and analysis the result by using simulator and analytically, Which is measured the performance of the packet loss, overflow and mean waiting time among the network users.

A Laser Music System has been created, that combines a laser and light sensor system with an infrared distance sensing system that detects the position of a user’s hand when it intersects one or more of the individual laser beam. The laser beams, which are made visible by a small amount of smoke in a dark room, provide visual guidance to the user to reduce the difficulty of using a non-contact instrument as well as enhancing an appealing optical effect for the user. The system uses a number of Sharp distance sensors to map the position of the user’s hand to a variable like pitch. The user should move their hand to different heights to achieve a desired pitch. The laser beam should be broken to trigger the desired note.

Human vision is remarkable. By limiting the main concentration of high-acuity photoreceptors to the eye's central fovea region, we efficiently view the world by redirecting the fovea between points of interest using eye movements called <em>saccades</em>. <br /><br /> Part I describes a saccadic vision system prototype design. The dual-resolution saccadic camera detects objects of interest in a scene by processing low-resolution image information; it then revisits salient regions in high-resolution. The end product is a dual-resolution image in which background information is displayed in low-resolution, and salient areas are captured in high-acuity. This lends to a resource-efficient active vision system. <br /><br />Part II describes CMOS image sensor designs for active vision. Specifically, this discussion focuses on methods to determine regions of interest and achieve high dynamic range on the sensor.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) has become a modern distributed computing architecture that supports massively large-scale data management and query processing. Complex query operators such as range operator and join operator are needed by various distributed applications, including content distribution, locality-aware services, computing resource sharing, and many others. This dissertation tackles a number of problems related to range and join query processing in P2P systems: fault-tolerant range query processing under structured P2P architecture, distributed range caching under unstructured P2P architecture, and integration of heterogeneous data under unstructured P2P architecture. To support fault-tolerant range query processing so as to provide strong performance guarantees in the presence of network churn, effective replication schemes are developed at either the overlay network level or the query processing level. To facilitate range query processing, a prefetch-based caching approach is proposed to eliminate the performance bottlenecks incurred by those data items that are not well cached in the network. Finally, a purely decentralized partition-based join query operator is devised to realize bandwidth-efficient join query processing under unstructured P2P architecture. Theoretical analysis and experimental simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.

We consider variations of range searching in which, given a query range, our goal is to compute some function based on frequencies of points that lie in the range. The most basic such computation involves counting the number of points in a query range. Data structures that compute this function solve the well-studied range counting problem. We consider adaptive and approximate data structures for the 2-D orthogonal range counting problem under the w-bit word RAM model. The query time of an adaptive range counting data structure is sensitive to k, the number of points being counted. We give an adaptive data structure that requires O(n loglog n) space and O(loglog n + log_w k) query time. Non-adaptive data structures on the other hand require Ω(log_w n) query time (Pătraşcu, 2007). Our specific bounds are interesting for two reasons. First, when k=O(1), our bounds match the state of the art for the 2-D orthogonal range emptiness problem (Chan et al., 2011). Second, when k=Θ(n), our data structure is tight to the aforementioned Ω(log_w n) query time lower bound. We also give approximate data structures for 2-D orthogonal range counting whose bounds match the state of the art for the 2-D orthogonal range emptiness problem. Our first data structure requires O(n loglog n) space and O(loglog n) query time. Our second data structure requires O(n) space and O(log^ε n) query time for any fixed constant ε>0. These data structures compute an approximation k' such that (1-δ)k≤k'≤(1+δ)k for any fixed constant δ>0. The range selection query problem in an array involves finding the kth lowest element in a given subarray. Range selection in an array is very closely related to 3-sided 2-D orthogonal range counting. An extension of our technique for 3-sided 2-D range counting yields an efficient solution to adaptive range selection in an array. In particular, we present an adaptive data structure that requires O(n) space and O(log_w k) query time, exactly matching a recent lower bound (Jørgensen and Larsen, 2011). We next consider a variety of frequency-based range query problems in arrays. We give efficient data structures for the range mode and least frequent element query problems and also exhibit the hardness of these problems by reducing Boolean matrix multiplication to the construction and use of a range mode or least frequent element data structure. We also give data structures for the range α-majority and α-minority query problems. An α-majority is an element whose frequency in a subarray is greater than an α fraction of the size of the subarray; any other element is an α-minority. Surprisingly, geometric insights prove to be useful even in the design of our 1-D range α-majority and α-minority data structures.

A 4-year study was conducted on the Missouri Coteau in the Mixed Grassland Ecoregion of Saskatchewan to determine the effects of mowing to a 7.5 cm stubble height on the growth of <i>Festuca hallii</i> (Vasey) Piper and <i>Stipa curtiseta</i> (A.S. Hitch.) Barkworth. Green standing crop (GSC), dead standing crop (DSC) and above ground net primary production (ANPP) were compared to an unmowed control after a single mowing in April, May, June, July, August, September, October or November on 5 landforms including north aspect-concave-slope, north aspect-convex-slope, south aspect-concave-slope, south aspect-convex-slope and level upland. Mowing reduced GSC, DSC and ANPP with reductions varying among months of mowing and among landforms. Green standing crop, DSC and ANPP of <i>F. hallii</i> were greatest on the north aspects and least on south aspect-convex slope and ranged from 2 to 122 g m-2, 3 to 121 g m-2, and 8 to 122 g m-2, respectively. Mowing reduced GSC of <i>F. hallii</i> for 1 to 11 growing season months and DSC for 1 to >11 growing season months. Mowing in May or November reduced ANPP of <i>F. hallii</i> for 1 growing season, while mowing in other months reduced ANPP for 2 growing seasons. Green standing crop of <i>S. curtiseta</i>, ranging from 3 g m-2 to 55 g m-2, was least on the north aspects and greatest on the south aspect-convex slope and was reduced 1 to 5 growing season months following mowing. Mowing after June reduced DSC of <i>S. curtiseta</i>(5 to 58 g m-2) for 1 to 10 growing season months, and ANPP (6 to 64 g m-2) for 1 growing season. Generally, mowing reduced GSC, DSC and ANPP of <i>F. hallii</i> longer than <i>S. curtiseta</i>. Production of <i>F. hallii</i>- and <i>S. curtiseta</i>-dominated plant communities in the Northern Mixed Prairie will be maintained by providing rest periods between defoliation events based on the number of growing season months for <i>F. hallii</i> to recover production.

Worldwide, riparian areas are considered among the most biologically productive and species-rich habitats on the landscape and provide important breeding areas for many bird species. In the Boreal Plain ecozone of western Canada, forests adjacent to riparian areas are generally protected from forest harvesting through the retention of treed buffer strips. <p>Riparian buffer strips are expected to provide habitat for wildlife including many passerine bird species. Recently, non-conventional methods of riparian management have been implemented in parts of the Boreal Plain with the intent of aligning forestry more closely with natural disturbance processes. How bird communities associated with these management scenarios diverge from natural disturbances and how riparian birds interact with disturbances in the adjacent upland habitat are key questions in the conservation of boreal riparian bird communities. To answer these questions, I surveyed birds inhabiting riparian areas with adjacent naturally disturbed (burned) and harvested forest to determine how bird communities differ early (1-5 years) post-disturbance and, separately, in a before-and-after harvesting study. <p>Riparian species associated with burned merchantable shoreline forests and riparian areas included Common Yellowthroat (<i>Geothlypis trichas</i>) and Eastern Kingbird (<i>Tyrannus tyrannus</i>). Le Contes Sparrow (<i>Ammodramus leconteii</i>) was associated with burned riparian habitats adjacent to non-merchantable forests (e.g., bog, fen), while Alder Flycatcher (<i>Empidonax alnorum</i>) and Wilsons Warbler (<i>Wilsonia pusilla</i>) were indicative of harvested sites with larger buffers (30 m). Riparian species richness was highest in burned non-merchantable sites. Multivariate Redundancy Analysis of post-disturbance bird communities showed greater divergence in overall (riparian and upland) community composition than one with only riparian species. This suggests reduced sensitivity of riparian birds to disturbances in forested areas compared to upland bird communities. However, a higher natural range of variability was exhibited in riparian bird community composition in post-fire sites than in post-harvested sites. This emphasizes that forest management practices do not currently fully approximate natural disturbance for boreal riparian birds. <p>To assess the response of bird communities in riparian habitats to forestry, I studied bird communities one year (2004) prior to forest harvest and two years (2005 and 2006) after harvest. One of three treatments, 1) 5-35% retention (0 m buffer), 2) 35-75% retention (10 m buffer with variable retention in the next 30 m), 3) 75-100% retention (50 m buffer) and unharvested reference sites, was randomly assigned to 34 wetlands. Treatments were designed to represent buffer management strategies currently applied in the Boreal Plain. Eight of 22 species showed a significant response (p<0.1) to treatment, year or year*treatment effects including two riparian species, the Common Yellowthroat and Song Sparrow (<i>Melospiza melodia</i>) that increased in abundance in harvested sites. Overall pre-disturbance communities diverged (p<0.05) over the three-year study period as shown using Multiple-response Permutation Procedures (MRPP). However, riparian bird communities did not diverge from pre-disturbance or from reference sites providing further evidence that riparian bird communities are less impacted by forestry in the adjacent upland habitats than overall bird communities. Therefore, alternative forest harvesting methods should be explored that encompass landscape-scale management including total buffer removal to maximize conservation objectives for boreal forest bird communities while attempting to maintain natural disturbance processes.

The overall objective of this thesis was to determine selenium (Se) levels in the major compartments of aquatic ecosystems and correlate these data with potential Se effects on early life stages of two native fish species. This work was conducted at two uranium (U) mines located in northern Saskatchewan, Key Lake mine and McClean Lake mine. In addition, a site fidelity study was conducted at Key Lake mine to evaluate movement patterns of northern pike inhabiting lakes receiving effluent discharges.<p> At Key Lake mine, Se was accumulated and biomagnified several orders of magnitude higher than its concentration in water (0.7-2.7 µg/L) in lakes receiving discharges, with Se in prey organisms reaching levels above the proposed 3-11 µg/g dry weight (DW) dietary toxicity threshold for fish. Increased concentrations of Se in aquatic biota led to an increase in the Se concentrations in eggs and tissues of northern pike that rely on these organisms as food sources. Furthermore, increases in the incidence of Se-induced deformities above 30% were recorded in fry originating from adults exposed to high levels of dietary Se (> 3µg/g, DW). The increased frequency of deformities found in northern pike fry was associated with a significant increase in the level of Se in northern pike eggs from exposure sites (31.28 - 48.23 µg/g DW) compared to reference (3.19 ± 0.29 µg/g DW).<p> At McClean Lake mine, Se was accumulated and biomagnified through the aquatic food chain with concentrations in some biota groups (e.g., forage fish) exceeding the lower limit (> 3µg/g DW) of the 3-11µg/g (DW) threshold for dietary Se toxicity in fish. Although both northern pike and white sucker females collected from the exposure site showed greater levels of Se in egg and tissues compared to fish collected from a reference site (likely caused by exposure to elevated levels of Se in prey organisms), no increases in Se-induced deformities were found in the developing fish larvae. The lack of a toxic response in fish larvae is in agreement with Se thresholds for early life stage deformities, with egg Se concentrations in northern pike and white sucker collected at the exposure site below the proposed 10 µg/g (DW) threshold associated with the presence of developmental abnormalities. The applicability of the proposed 7.91 µg/g (whole body, DW) Se toxicity threshold to cold water fish is controversial given that most of the research has focused on warm water fish. Therefore, there is an urgent need to conduct studies that allow us to better understand the environmental fate and effects of Se in north temperate (cold water) aquatic systems. The results of my research will contribute valuable information for the establishment of a realistic and environmentally relevant Se threshold for the protection of fish populations in Canadian waters. During the site fidelity study, fish locations were seasonally and daily recorded using a Lotek SRX_400 receiver with handheld Yagi antenna. The results suggest that tagged pike did not migrate out of the study area throughout the study period, with the mean distance traveled ranging from 50 to 400 m. Differences in movement (distance traveled) and home range were found between reference and exposure sites. Overall data suggest that radio-telemetry is a useful tool in environmental studies. This information on northern pike behavior will be valuable towards developing non-lethal sampling methods that could be applied for assessing the effects of industrial discharges in north temperate aquatic ecosystems.

In an attempt to manage values other than timber production, forestry companies have sought a new paradigm to manage forest resources. Based on the hypothesis that wildlife in the boreal forest has adapted to habitat structures created by natural disturbances, some forest harvests have been modified to approximate patterns left after natural disturbance. Attempts at approximating natural disturbance have included retention of patches of live trees within cutblock boundaries, cutting to natural stand boundaries and application of harvest plans with spatio-temporally aggregated cutblocks (single-pass harvests). Single-pass harvesting is a recent attempt to better approximate natural disturbance in the boreal and has not been evaluated for its potential to sustain wildlife. I therefore contrasted residual patch pattern and composition, as well as landscape-scale avian abundance and composition in 1) single-pass; 2) multi-pass; and 3) salvage logged post-fire harvests, and contrasted these with unsalvaged post-fire sites. Post-fire sites were used to define the Natural Range of Variation (NRV). Seventy-two plots (12 post-fire, 15 post-salvage harvest, 16 single-pass harvest, and 29 multi-pass harvest) were surveyed for avian community composition and abundance one to five years post disturbance. <p>I contrasted the composition of remaining live forest stands at the landscape-scale and in residual patches by pairwise comparison of pre- and post-disturbance composition. At the landscape-scale, non-metric mutlidimensional scaling suggested post-disturbance landscape composition of post-fire and salvage-logged plots was similar to pre-disturbance landscape composition, with a tendency toward greater survival of hardwoods and lower survival of jack pine (Pinus banksiana) or black spruce (Picea mariana). However, harvesting of hardwoods and mixedwood stand types in single and multi-pass harvests led to landscapes with more bog and swamp habitats. <p>Comparison of residual patch composition with pre-disturbance composition was made using blocked multi-response permutation procedures. Post-fire plots (i.e. NRV) had residual patches that were representative of pre-disturbance composition, but with slightly more hardwoods and less black spruce/jack pine than expected by chance. All harvested treatments had similar biases among residuals to those left by fire, except that multi-pass harvests tended to leave less mixedwood habitat than expected. Multi-pass harvests also had less area in residual patches, and patches were smaller, more isolated and less complex in shape. Single-pass harvests had residual patches that were more representative of the size, shape, complexity, and change in composition seen post-fire. Multi-pass harvests only had 14% of the residual patch area in patches at least 5 ha in size, whereas this proportion was higher in fire (83%), salvage-logged areas (42%), and single-pass harvests (57%). Old-growth associated species might only persist in patches 5 ha or larger, and so multi-pass harvesting may have negative consequences for these forest birds.<p>Redundancy analysis indicated that bird communities differed from the NRV in all harvest treatments. However, single-pass harvests provided a slightly better fit to NRV than did multi-pass harvesting. Community similarity was influenced by non-linear responses to area harvested, residual retention, residual composition and pre-disturbance forest composition. An optimization routine was used to select harvest characteristics that would maximize community similarity to NRV. Optimization suggested that community similarity to NRV can be maximized by using single-pass harvests over multi-pass harvests, harvesting 66-88% of of a planning unit, and retaining 5-19% of the harvest area as live residual patches.<p>My results suggest that single-pass harvesting may be ecologically more sustainable than multi-pass harvests. Future studies are required to determine whether both harvesting treatments converge with NRV through time. Greater overlap of salvage-logged avian communities with NRV suggests that experimentation with prescribed fire as a post-harvest treatment may be the best method to bring harvests ecologically closer to NRV, and highlights the need to conserve early post-fire habitats.