Thesis (M.A.)--The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2009. / Directed by Susan Walcott; submitted to the Dept. of Geography. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed May 17, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-81).

With the growing trend in use of 3D laser scanning technology for data collection, it is important to study the various potential applications of this revolutionary technology. One such application is the measurement of road roughness at both large and small scales. At larger extents, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is compared to several current techniques to measure road profiles including digital levels, inclinometers, and inertial profilers. An overall indicator of roughness (e.g. International Roughness Index, IRI) can be obtained from these road profiles and is used by state DOTs to determine the pavement quality. Since TLS is able to collect a large, dense set of data relatively quickly, this technology could provide states with an additional tool to both measure pavement roughness and collect data for the entire roadway. TLS has the added benefit of being able to generate multiple profiles across the roadway efficiently. At a fine scale, micron resolution 3D laser scanners can be utilized to determine the influence of asphalt mix designs on the roughness of the pavement. Of particular interest is the selection of predominant aggregate size within the mix. Results showed that TLS can determine pavement profiles and comparable IRI results to those from current methods. The elevation values collected within the profile were accurate within expected ranges. However, cross correlations, which take into account the location of the roughness, were poor, indicating that TLS is not an effective method to determine a reference profile. TLS was used to determine the cross slopes across the roadway, something that cannot be done with data from an inclinometer or inertial profiler. / Graduation date: 2012 / Zipped file contains 4 file types. Excel files (.xlsx and .xls) can be opened using Microsoft Excel. OBJ files (.obj) are geometry definition file formats intended to be imported into a software program to manipulate 3D laser scans and can also be opened using Notepad++ or another powerful text editor. Notepad++ is freely available for download on the Web. PVP files (.pvp) are project files that contain project settings and profile data and can be opened with ProVAL, a freely available engineering software application used to view and analyze roadway profiles. ERD files (.ERD) are standard file formats used for storing numbers in tabular form and can be opened with Notepad++ or another powerful text editor. These files contain roadway profiles and are designed to be imported into ProVAL.

This multi-year, multi-city investigation seeks to examine how and why civic associations are employing information communication technologies (ICTs) in their work and the extent to which these uses are transforming urban ‘civic space.’ Rather than being passive non-state actors shaped by technologies in the ‘networked city,’ civic environmental associations are treated in this study as co-evolving ‘actor-networks’ that are both shaping and shaped by their ICT practices. This study systematically examines how ICT-linked tools or platforms are reconfiguring civic associations and civic space in the three ‘tiger city’ settings of Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei. This investigation employs grounded theory, case study methods, and actor-network theory to examine the co-evolution of ICTs and civic environmental associations. The concept of info-sociations (ICT-associations) is employed in constructing a socio-technical model for analysis of the fast-evolving ICT practices of civic associations. Such an approach suggests that diverse forms of ICT-linked praxis—where civic ideals and knowledge are being put into practice—involves multimodal digital practices; alongside blended or multiplexed physical and virtual practices; and multiscalar practices. The info-sociational model compares ICT-linked organizational, participatory and spatial practices at the associational level by examining digitally-linked: internal and external organizational change; reconfigurations in the public sphere and cyberactivism; scalar transformations and associational alliance formations. Analyses of city-specific ‘civic space’ storylines; alongside a discussion of the problems and potentialities of ICT-linked practices also contributes to an integrated info-sociational model. An info-sociational approach therefore serves to examine transformations in knowledge, power and space as civic environmentalists employ ICTs. The info-sociational model supports an analysis of three pairs of age-distinct civic environmental associations in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taipei. These six cases (as units of analysis) were selected for their diverse civic environmental activities; their differences in age; and their variety of ICT-linked practices, including uses for: public deliberations, and mobilizing activism; networked alliance formations; identifying environmental and spatial issues in city regions; and creating alternative green media. Employing the info-sociational model in analyses of the six civic environmental associations led to the observations that: ‘externally-oriented’ ICT-linked practices were of greater importance than ‘internal practices’ amongst civic associations; that groups prioritized ‘digital green public sphere’ practices compared to ‘cyberactivism’; and these associations employed ICTs more frequently for ‘alliance-building’ than for ‘spatial transformations.’ Several of the cases illustrated how ICTs can enhance or augment existing alliances and potentially support new types of civic-cyber formations. By touching on questions of knowledge, power and space an info-sociational approach therefore can contribute to integrated explanations of how and why civic associations are using and (re)shaping ICTs in pursuit of their diverse aims for more livable and just cities. / published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The problem with which this study is concerned is the investigation of certain selected elements of technological change upon certain selected elements of psychosocial change and the relationship of such changes upon modern man's ability to adjust to these changes. The necessity for psychosocial change and, consequently, adjustment, has risen dramatically in the past few decades as a result of rapid technological and scientific advances for which modern man has been ill-prepared.

No description available.

The publications submitted for this PhD by Published Work represent the product of a decade long programme of research on the nature of the defence innovation system and the organisations, institutions and relationships that underpin defence technological innovation. This has been informed by the systems of innovation approach as well as broader academic perspectives on the nature of innovation and as such the publications are located in the field of innovation studies and in particular the sub-community of scholars that concern themselves with defence technological innovation. In the thesis, I contend that – taken together – the publications make three contributions to knowledge. First, the publications contribute to our understanding of what I term the “defence innovation system”. This illuminates an important corner ignored by most scholars of innovation systems and one that has received too little attention given the role that defence R&D and procurement has played as a stimulus to many significant technological innovations as well as its many implications for international security and society. The defence innovation system has often resisted analysis not least because of the limitations of publicly available information. My publications show recognition of the importance of this topic and shed light on the dynamics of defence technological innovation. Second, the publications contribute to our understanding of the organisations and relationships that underpin the defence innovation system and their response to changes in their operating environment since the end of the Cold War. My focus on organisation-level case studies of defence firms and government defence research establishments is in contrast to most of the academic work in this field that has been preoccupied with national or industry level structure and trends. A recurring theme in my publications, explicitly and implicitly, has been the co-evolutionary character of change in the defence innovation system and the changing relationship between government and defence industrial firms. Third, I examine changes in the boundaries of the system by introducing a transnational dimension to the analysis of defence technological innovation and in doing so my publications have drawn attention to the need to examine transnational linkages between nationally-located systems.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / abstract / Business / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

This paper will address the trends of employment in correlation with technological progress. It will consider generally accepted economic theory as well as classical analysis, mathematical modeling and recent data. It is demonstrated that short-run impacts of technological advancements can cause temporary unemployment due to increased aggregate productivity. Long-run adjustments however can result in job polarization, which in turn results in income inequality. The possible negative impacts on the US economy as a whole are addressed and short-term fixes that could mitigate the undesirable side effects that come from these changes.