Forensic investigators encountering remains deposited in an outdoor environment face many obstacles, including the scavenging, scattering, and reconcentration of remains by local vertebrate fauna. Scattering rates can vary considerably from region to region, and are highly dependent on the indigenous scavengers present (Haglund et al. 1988; Haglund et al. 1989; Mann et al. 1990; Morton and Lord 2006). In turn, scavenger activity is highly dependent on seasonal changes, rainfall, temperature fluctuations, and environmental stressors such as seasonal resource availability and dietary changes (Brown et al. 2006; Mann et al. 1990; O’Brien et al. 2007). A more thorough knowledge of the variation in scavenging and scattering patterns of the indigenous fauna in different geographical regions would produce a more productive search pattern and increase the recovery rate of scattered remains for those involved in outdoor crime scene investigations. The current study followed and documented the behavior of the indigenous carnivorous birds and mammals, as well as the scattering patterns of these species, in Eastern Massachusetts, using five porcine (Sus scrofa) carcasses. Carcasses were deposited in lightly wooded environments under different depositional settings and tracked by low-light wildlife video cameras and radio transmitter tags attached to the long bones of some of the limbs. The major scavengers of decomposing remains were documented, and the distance and direction of scattered skeletal elements were noted, as well as any secondary depositions. This research was conducted in three phases; the first was a preliminary observation of faunal wildlife and their distribution during the early summer of 2011, followed by one 14-week observation of porcine models during midsummer of 2011 and one 6-week observation of porcine models during late summer and early fall of 2011. Results show that seasonality greatly affects scavenging activity, as carrion deposited in the summer are primarily consumed by the indigenous invertebrate community, causing accelerated decomposition and vertebrate scavenger exclusion. Additionally, though marsupials and avian species fed the longest, coyotes (Canis latrans) produced the most destructive dispersal of carrion. Moreover, although coyotes disarticulated carcasses relatively nearby the original deposition, they sought out outdoor environments that are mostly devoid of human activity to feed upon disarticulated assemblages.

To calculate the emergent radiation field, a realistic atmospheric model and algorithm must be developed. The radiation field may be characterized by the emergent intensities of scattered light. This is possible only if the algorithm determines these intensities as dependent upon atmospheric and angular parameters.

Given a C*-algebra $\\A$, an irredundant set in $\\A$ is a subset $\\mathcal$ of $\\A$ such that no $a\\in \\mathcal$ belongs to the C*-subalgebra generated by $\\mathcal\\setminus\\{a\\}$. Every separable C*-algebra has only countable irredundant sets and we ask if every nonseparable C*-algebra has an uncountable irredundant set. For commutative C*-algebras, if $K$ is the Kunen line then $C(K)$ is a consistent example of a nonseparable commutative C*-algebra without uncountable irredundant sets. On the other hand, a result due to S. Todorcevic establishes that it is consistent with ZFC that every nonseparable C*-algebra of the form $C(K)$, for a compact 0-dimensional space $K$, has an uncountable irredundant set. By the method of forcing, we construct a nonseparable and noncommutative scattered C*-algebra $\\A$ without uncountable irredundant sets and with no nonseparable abelian subalgebras. On the other hand, we prove that it is consistent that every C*-subalgebra of $\\B(\\ell_2)$ of density continuum has an irredundant set of size continuum. / Given a C*-algebra $\\A$, an irredundant set in $\\A$ is a subset $\\mathcal$ of $\\A$ such that no $a\\in \\mathcal$ belongs to the C*-subalgebra generated by $\\mathcal\\setminus\\{a\\}$. Every separable C*-algebra has only countable irredundant sets and we ask if every nonseparable C*-algebra has an uncountable irredundant set. For commutative C*-algebras, if $K$ is the Kunen line then $C(K)$ is a consistent example of a nonseparable commutative C*-algebra without uncountable irredundant sets. On the other hand, a result due to S. Todorcevic establishes that it is consistent with ZFC that every nonseparable C*-algebra of the form $C(K)$, for a compact 0-dimensional space $K$, has an uncountable irredundant set. By the method of forcing, we construct a nonseparable and noncommutative scattered C*-algebra $\\A$ without uncountable irredundant sets and with no nonseparable abelian subalgebras. On the other hand, we prove that it is consistent that every C*-subalgebra of $\\B(\\ell_2)$ of density continuum has an irredundant set of size continuum.

British composer Tarik Hamilton O’Regan (b. 1978, London) is earning a reputation as an important composer of today. The innovative works of O’Regan are entering the spectrum of professional, educational, and community performing organizations across the United States and Europe. Scattered Rhymes’ intricate melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic relationships with Messe de Notre Dame by Guillaume de Machaut (c.1300-1377) make an examination and comparison of the two works significant. Analyzing Scattered Rhymes by tracing its roots to Guillaume de Machaut’s Messe de Notre Dame, results in a renewed interest in this ancient work and brings prominence to Tarik O’Regan’s modern musical interpretation of ancient ideas. Understanding Scattered Rhymes as a work based on ideas from the fourteenth century in fusion with compositional concepts rooted in the modern era promotes Scattered Rhymes as one that is valuable in the current musical landscape.

Scattered data collected at sample points may be used to determine simple functions to best fit the data. An ideal choice for these simple functions is bivariate splines. Triangulation of the sample points creates partitions over which the bivariate splines may be defined. But the optimality of the approximation is dependent on the choice of triangulation. An algorithm, referred to as an Edge Swapping Algorithm, has been developed to transform an arbitrary triangulation of the sample points into an optimal triangulation for representation of the scattered data. A Matlab package has been completed that implements this algorithm for any triangulation on a given set of sample points.

No description available.

No description available.

A new model for incoherent short pulse scattering from penetrable geophysical media is developed. The model is obtained by assuming that the surface and volume scattered components of the total scattered waveform only minimally interact. A well-known form is used for the surface scattered component of the backscattered waveform while a new form is derived for the volume scattered component of the total scattered waveform. The new volume scattered waveform model is derived from the scalar equation of transfer. This development illustrates the inherent assumptions of the new model as well as previous models. This leads to a reconciliation of parameter estimates obtained using short pulse scattering models and those obtained using other techniques. In addition, the new model represents a generalization of previous volume scattered waveform models in that it incorporates the effects on the average scattered waveform due to surface roughness and layering in the electromagnetic properties of the scattering medium. Previous models are shown to be slightly incorrect special cases of the new model. Finally, the volume scattered waveform model developed herein is demonstrated to be numerically efficient in general, providing a time savings factor of up to 500 relative to a previous model. The scattered waveform model is subsequently used to analyze scattering data obtained over the Greenland ice sheet by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst's 13.5 GHz Advanced Aircraft Flight Experiment (AAFE) altimeter and NASA's 36 GHz Multimode Aircraft Radar Altimeter (MARA). These altimeters operated simultaneously from the same P-3 aircraft platform in September of 1991 and thus provide a dual frequency look at the scattering properties of the ice sheet. In addition, the large section of the ice sheet from which the scattering data is obtained provides an opportunity to evaluate the radar altimeter's ability to distinguish between the various regions of the ice sheet. The results of this analysis suggest that the altimeter provides a useful means for monitoring both short and long term variations in the near surface region of the ice sheet while simultaneously providing precise estimates of the ice sheet elevation. / Master of Science

The aim of my thesis is to analyze the scattered vegetation in specific area. It was chosen cadastral Drahotěšice. Field survey to identify the actual state of scattered vegetation in the area and then processed to map plotting. It was used ArcMap 10 for historical status of the green in 1952. They were first georeferencing monochrome aerial photographs and then digitized scattered vegetation. The historical status of the territories was compared to the contemporary elements green. In conclusion it was suggested, how could be the results of the historical and current status of the plan to use the common facilities for comprehensive landscaping.

The aim of the diploma thesis was to map the individual elements of dispersion of greenery, which we find in the catastral area of Mojné-Skřidla. The elements were included in the map and a proposal for additional planting of scattered greenery was created. In our conditions, the scattered greenery is typical for cultural, especially for the agricultural landscape. In the work is explained and defined the concept of scattered greenery and its distribution, and here are explained the most important functions of scattered greenery (divided into several areas: ecological, aesthetic, conservation, production, historical, sacral, ritual, etc.) and have not forgotten nor the interaction elements, planting, care of greenery and, last but not least, the protection of greenery and the topic of subsidies.