Thesis (M.S.) -- Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: continuous queries; moving objects. Includes bibliographical references (p.102-110).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-144).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: B, page: 3516. Adviser: Carl M. Parsons. Includes bibliographical references. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6121. Adviser: Peter James Garlick. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-89) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Orientador: Aldo Eloizo Job / Coorientador: Messias Meneguette Junior / Banca: Margarete Oliveira Domingues / Resumo: A pesquisa aqui apresentada visa o reconhecimento de padrões entre imagens de microscopias de diferentes tipos, adquiridas de membranas de borracha natural com aditivos metálicos. Estes estudos deram origem ao software "WaveFPR" (Wavelet and Fourier transforms for Pattern Recognition), criado para auxiliar na aplicação das ferramentas matemáticas envolvidas, a saber: as transformadas de Fourier e de Gabor, e também as wavelets de Haar e Daubechies. Para cada imagem processada pelo software, é gerado um conjunto de coeficientes correspondentes àquela imagem. Estes coeficientes são interprestados como uma "assinatura digital" da membrana; cada transformada retorna uma assinatura única para cada imagem. Estas assinaturas podem ser comparadas entre si, e esta comparação retorna informações relativas às membranas de borracha natural. O software criado oferece ainda uma interface para a utilização de técnica de emparelhamento (template matching) entre uma imagem-modelo de uma partícula metálica e uma imagem-alvo de borracha natural com aditivo metálico, com o uso dos coeficientes gerados. Do processamento de várias imagens foi construído um banco de dados com os coeficientes retirados destas imagens analisadas. Com este banco de dados e o uso da técnica de emparelhamento, são especificados os materiais constituintes de uma amostra, com o processamento da imagem pelo programa e a comparação dos resultados obtidos com os dados armazenados previamente / Abstract: The research presented here aims at recognizing patterns between imagens of different types of micrsocopy, acquired from natural rubber membranes with metallic additives. These studies gave rise to the software "WaveFPR" (Wavelet and Fourier transforms for Pattern Recognition), created to assist in the application of the mathematical tools involved, namely: the Fourier and Gabor transforms, and also Haar and Daubechies wavelets. For each image processed by the softwary, a set of coefficients corresponding to that image is generated. These coefficients are interpreted as a"digital signature" of the membrane; each transform returns a unique signature to each image. These signatures can be compared to each other, and this comparison returns information about the natural rubber membranes. The software also offers an interface to use the template matching technique between a template image of a metallic particle and a target image of natural rubber with metallic additive, using the generated coefficients. A database was built with the coefficients taken from the analyzed images. This database contains information from several images. With this information and the templation matching technique, the constituent materials of a sample are specified, processing the image with the software and comparing the obtained results with the previously stores data / Mestre

In recent years, algorithmic and high-frequency trading have been the subject of increasing risk concerns. A general theme that we adopt in this thesis is that trading practitioners are predominantly interested in risk-adjusted performance. Likewise, regulators are demanding stricter risk controls. First, we scrutinise conventional AI model design approaches with the aim to increase the risk-adjusted trading performance of the proposed fuzzy logic models. We show that applying risk-return objective functions and accounting for transaction costs improve out-of-sample results. Our experiments identify that neuro-fuzzy models exhibit superior performance stability across multiple risk regimes when compared to popular neural network models identified in AI literature. Moreover, we propose an innovative ensemble model approach which combines multiple risk-adjusted objective functions and dynamically adapts risk-tolerance according to time-varying risk. Next, we extend our findings to the money management aspects of trading algorithms. We introduce an effective fuzzy logic approach which dynamically discriminates across different regions in the trend and volatility space. The model prioritises higher performing regions at an intraday level and adapts capital allocation policies with the objective to maximise global risk-adjusted performance. Finally, we explore trading improvements that can be attained by advancing our type-1 fuzzy logic ideas to higher order fuzzy systems in view of the increased noise (uncertainty) that is inherent in high-frequency data. We propose an innovative approach to design type-2 models with minimal increase in design and computational complexity. As a further step, we identify a relationship between the increased trading performance benefits of the proposed type-2 model and higher levels of trading frequencies. In conclusion, this thesis sets a framework for practitioners, researchers and regulators in the design of fuzzy logic systems for better management of risk in the field of algorithmic and high-frequency trading.

Al Madinah, in Saudi Arabia, is the second most holy city for Muslims throughout the world and has a long and rich heritage. However, most of the historical and traditional buildings, city walls and holy places have been replaced with modern structures. But, there have been several attempts, many by individuals, to preserve the heritage of Al Madinah. This thesis took an in-depth look at the history of Al Madinah, with emphasis on a 3D virtual environment which was produced as part of this project and inspired by a 3D model depicting the historical city of Al Madinah. First, this research examined the documentation of the historical city and identified its limitations by visiting location museums and evaluating the display mediums concerned with the heritage of Al Madinah. To contrast the traditional methods employed in local museums, eight museums in the UK were visited to explore their use of technology and digital devices. After these two initial steps, the main contribution focused on developing an effective installation to present the heritage of Al Madinah using first hand material. The Madinah Virtual Heritage (MVH) installation was developed in two main stages and tested for its usability. MVH provides a virtual reality experience by using an affordable head-mounted VR display, which would be especially beneficial for local museums with limited budgets. This thesis gives an overview of how to create a virtual heritage environment, and the principles can be applied to other fields. The findings show that there are limited resources available to understand the heritage of Al Madinah, especially because local museums are self-funded and use traditional media and redundant displays. The use of 3D is a possible solution to reconstruct the demolished buildings. Virtual reality brings interactivity and engagement to the installation, which could be used in local museums as it is now available in head-mounted format at an affordable cost.

Dans le contexte actuel caractérisé par de multiples échanges économiques, politiques, sociaux, technologiques, la mobilité des scientifiques et autres travailleurs sénégalais qualifiés s’est accrue. Ces derniers, tout en vivant en France, maintiennent des relations avec leurs communautés d’origine, tissent des liens entre eux. Ils s’auto-organisent en réseaux et participent de plus en plus à des « investissements à distance » ou à des missions d’expertise au Sénégal qui leur permettent d’articuler « l’ici » et « le là-bas ». Ces nouvelles dynamiques migratoires (grande mobilité, relations interpolaires, associations multi-sites) permettent de revisiter le concept de diaspora. Ainsi, à la suite du « brain drain », « brain gain », du « retour des cerveaux », les notions telles que DKN (diaspora knowledge networks (diaspora du savoir) ou DST « diaspora scientifique et technique » émergent pour analyser les collectifs (associations ou réseaux) auto-organisés de migrants constitués sur la « base sociale de l’unité de compétence et de projet » et qui s’impliquent au développement de leur pays d’origine (Meyer 2008). Nous utilisons ce cadre d’analyse renouvelé du concept de diaspora pour étudier différentes formes de participation aux dynamiques de développement du Sénégal des migrants sénégalais hautement qualifiés en interrogeant ceux qui ont effectué des missions d’expertise dans le cadre du TOKTEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals), PAIDS (Programme d’Appui aux Initiatives de Solidarité pour le Développement) et ceux qui s’activent dans les associations qui mènent au Sénégal des activités dans les domaines socio-économiques et scientifiques / techniques. Les résultats montrent que les dynamiques de construction diasporique s’appuient sur des mécanismes institutionnels de mobilisation des experts qualifiés mais elles sont également fortement structurées par les parcours de vie et de migration des migrants qualifiés caractérisés à la fois par la sédentarisation et la mobilité ainsi que par le maintien de liens culturels et symboliques avec le pays d’origine. / In the current context characterized by multiple economic, political, social and technological exchanges, the mobility of scientists and other highly skilled Senegalese workers has increased. The latter, while living in France, maintain relations with their homeland and among themselves. They self-organize into networks and participate more in « distance investments » or expert missions in Senegal, which allow them to articulate « here» and « over there». These new dynamics of migration (mobility, interpolar relations, and multi-site organizations) allow reexamining the concept of diaspora. Thus, following the « brain drain» », « brain gain», the « brain reverse», concepts such as DKN ( diaspora knowledge networks) or DST (scientific and technical diaspora) emerge to analyze migrants’ self- organizations (associations or networks) based on the unity of competence and project (Meyer 2008) and which are involved in the development of their homeland. I use this renewed framework of the concept of diaspora to study the different forms of participation in the development of Senegal, by interviewing skilled Senegalese migrants who have carried out missions of expertise through TOKTEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) and PAID (Program of Solidarity for Development) and those who are active in associations leading activities in Senegal in the socio-economic and scientific / technical field. The results show that the process of diaspora construction relies on institutional mechanisms which allow mobilizing skills; but they are also highly structured by the life story and migratory career of the skilled migrants characterized by settlement, mobility and maintain of cultural and symbolic links with the home country.

From 1960-4 the British government embarked on two large-scale space research programmes to develop satellite launchers. After first being cancelled as a military project in 1960, the Blue Streak missile was converted into the first stage of a British-led European collaborative project to build a three stage satellite launcher (through the European Launcher Development Organisation - ELDO). Born out of the Black Knight warhead re-entry testing vehicle, the independent Black Arrow project aimed to launch small satellites for scientific experimentation. With European collaborations, American scientific knowledge, and an Australian testing site, decisions affecting British space research had wide reaching diplomatic as well as domestic consequences. However, by 1973, both of these programmes had been cancelled. By examining the complex formation of British policy on these two space research projects, I will identify the alliances of actors involved focusing on understanding the role of civil servants, and the domestic, economic, and foreign policy priorities which directed their policy-making. This thesis seeks to address two contradictions raised by British policy on space research, and historical analysis of this period. Firstly, if we accept that Britain was not in decline in this period, the how can the history of two projects which is dominated by their cancellation be explained? Secondly, how British governments could reconcile their policy towards ELDO (threatening to withdraw almost yearly from 1966-73) with their stated aim to accede to the European Communities and their repeated rhetoric that the increased potential for scientific and technological collaboration was a key benefit of British accession? In order to address these contradictions I focus on decisions and decision-makers within government. By tracking policy arguments and options to their very beginnings I show throughout this thesis the way in which individuals frame, shape and direct policy. This thesis provides new insights into the foreign and domestic policy priorities of the four governments in this period by tracking the balance of priorities in policy making in two major space research projects. Close examination of ELDO and Black Arrow highlights that their cancellation is not a symbol of British decline, but instead represent active choices by decision-makers to engage in new areas of research. This supports the work of historians challenging the idea that Britain was in decline in this period, and suggests that cancelled projects should be re-examined.

This thesis describes the development of printed wearable electrode networks on textiles for monitoring human biopotentials from the skin surface. The aim was to fabricate garments to monitor human biopotentials, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), on a long term basis. A literature review was carried out to examine fabrication methods for wearable electrode networks on textile and screen printing is selected for this work. Several conductive and insulating screen printable pastes were then evaluated for this application and suitable pastes were selected. Screen printing was used to create networks of conductive tracks on the surface of woven textiles. These networks connect electrodes at different sites to electronics at a central location. The conductive tracks are composed of a silver polymer layer with thickness 5-10μm entirely encapsulated in polyurethane. The durability of these printed conductive tracks is investigated with cyclic stress and washing machine tests. A significant improvement in the durability of these tracks is achieved by using two different polyurethane pastes and optimising the screen printed layer structure. Tracks that can reliably endure 10 typical domestic machine washes without breaking are demonstrated. Carbon loaded silicone rubber is stencil printed to form electrodes on exposed conductive pads at the terminations of screen printed conductive tracks. The carbon loaded rubber formulation is optimised to provide electrodes with low resistivity, low surface energy and high flexibility. By using stencil printing rather than screen printing, the thickness of the electrodes is increased, causing them to protrude from the textile surface, which is useful in ensuring stable electrode-skin contact. Passive and active electrodes are fabricated on woven textiles using screen and stencil printing, and their performance is evaluated. The passive electrodes have issues with DC instability, but have suitable performance for some electromyography tasks and basic heart rate monitoring. The active electrodes show comparable performance with the gold standard, commercial Ag/AgCl electrodes. The printed textile electrode networks are demonstrated in four applications: a one-lead bipolar heart monitoring belt, a Frank configuration vector-cardiogram monitoring vest, a headband as an electromyographic (EMG) and electrooculographic (EOG) computer interface, and an armband used to examine electromyographic activity in the upper arm. Screen printing on textiles is shown to be a low-cost alternative fabrication process for durable wearable electrode networks on textiles, capable of providing high signal quality. These printed textile electrode networks are shown to be applicable to ambulatory monitoring, to reduce the associated cost and discomfort, and in hospitals and research to reduce electrode setup time.