International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 23-26, 2000 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / This paper analyzes the multi-path effects on telemetry equipment when it tracks the low-elevation flying target. Based on bias-axis mono-pulse technique, real time attenuation memory recursive Least-Squares Estimate as well as synthetic application of multiple source data, a comprehensive tracking method is proposed to eliminate the antenna shaking and reduce angle error caused by the multi-path effects. The method has been verified by field test. And the goal of smooth tracking of the low elevation target is eventually reached.

Worldwide, many wildlife populations are in decline or facing extinctions due to overhunting, habitat loss and fragmentation, infrastructure development, resource extraction, and climate change. These threats are particularly detrimental to Madagascar's most iconic wildlife - lemurs (Primates: Lemuridae) – which have been declared Earth's most threatened mammal group, with 103 of 107 species currently threatened with extinction. Due to the numerous anthropogenic pressures facing lemurs, concerted efforts have been made to design and implement effective conservation management plans as well as to maintain captive populations. My dissertation focused on understanding the behavior and physiology of two critically endangered lemur species: the golden crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) and the Coquerel's sifaka (P. coquereli). To gain a better understanding of free-living golden-crowned sifaka habitat requirements, I combined behavior data with Dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models and Resource Selection Functions to examine the influence of abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors on movement and foraging patterns. I found that movement rates and core area use were greater in the rainy season than in the dry season. My findings also indicated that roads and human villages influenced the locations where sifakas choose to forage, demonstrating the need to strategically place infrastructure to limit wildlife disturbance (Chapter 2). Second, having explored potential stressors in wild sifaka, I wanted to explore relationships between physiological stress and captive care in sifakas. Specifically, I investigated relationships between captive sifaka fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels and captive husbandry conditions. I found that age and contraceptive use, but not enclosure type, season, or sex, influenced glucocorticoid excretion (Chapter 3). These results highlight the importance of assessing the physiological impacts of captive husbandry conditions to ensure that the best animal welfare practices can be maintained. Third, to combat challenges in studying animal behavior using observational approaches, I designed and constructed low-cost, open-source proximity loggers to remotely examine fine-scale movement and social behaviors in wild and captive sifakas. I found a relationship between radio signal strength and distance between tracking devices (R2 = 0.8812), demonstrating that proximity sensors can effectively collect data on close range group-level behavior (Chapter 4). These modular devices can be used on an array of wildlife species to explore social interactions that require high resolution spatial data. Taken together, these results illustrate the opportunity of connecting behavioral, ecological, physiological, and technological approaches to gain critical insight into the multidimensional nature of wildlife conservation. Lastly, I discussed future steps that can be taken to extend the framework established by my dissertation research to address the complex dynamics shaping conservation in Madagascar (Chapter 5). / Doctor of Philosophy / Worldwide, many wildlife populations are at risk of extinction due to hunting, habitat loss, infrastructure development, and climate change. These threats are particularly detrimental to lemurs – a diverse group of primates found only on the island of Madagascar. Due to the numerous pressures facing lemurs, efforts have been made to design and implement effective conservation management plans and maintain captive populations. My dissertation focused on understanding the behavior and physiology of two critically endangered lemur species: the golden crowned sifaka (Propithecus tattersalli) and the Coquerel's sifaka (P. coquereli). To better understand wild golden-crowned sifaka habitat needs, I followed six groups of sifakas in humid, moderate, and dry forests to examine the influence of season, forest type, and human development on their movement patterns and feeding locations. I found that sifakas moved more and used more space in the rainy season than in the dry season. Several sifaka groups also avoided feeding near roads and human villages, demonstrating the need to strategically place infrastructure to limit negative effects on wildlife (Chapter 2). Second, having explored potential stressors in wild sifaka, I wanted to explore relationships between physiological stress and captive care in sifakas. Specifically, I analyzed sifaka fecal samples to investigate relationships between captive sifaka husbandry conditions and physiological stress (i.e., glucocorticoid levels). I found that age and birth control use, but not enclosure type, season, or sex, influenced glucocorticoid levels (Chapter 3). These results highlight the importance of assessing the physiological impacts of captive husbandry conditions to ensure that the best animal welfare practices can be maintained. Third, to combat challenges in studying animal behavior using observational approaches, I designed and constructed low-cost, open-source tracking devices to remotely study fine-scale movement and social behaviors in wild and captive sifakas. I found that the distance between tracking devices can be determined by using proximity sensing radio chips. This demonstrated that proximity sensors can effectively collect data on close range group-level behavior (Chapter 4). These modular devices can be used on an array of wildlife species to explore social interactions that require high resolution spatial data. Taken together, these results illustrate the benefits of using behavioral, physiological, and technological approaches to gain insight into the multidimensional nature of wildlife conservation. Lastly, I discussed future steps that can be taken to extend the framework established by my dissertation research to address the complex dynamics shaping conservation in Madagascar (Chapter 5).

Building on Message Framing Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), this study examined how message frame impacts viewer attention to and cognitive processing of osteoporosis prevention print ads. Attention was measured with eye tracking technology, which calculated participants’ number of fixations and dwell time. Cognitive processing was assessed through a textual masked-recall exercise. Sixty women, with a mean age of 21.25+/-2.61 years, viewed the same 36 ads; however, the message frame changed on a randomized, rotating basis, resulting in each group viewing 12 gain-, 12 loss-, and 12 neutrally-framed ads. One-way repeated measures analyses of variance revealed that message frame significantly impacted viewers’ number of fixations, F(2,118)=8.18, p<.01, η2= .12 dwell time, F(2,118)=9.84, p<.01, η2= .14 and masked-recall results, F(2,118)=22.28, p<.01, η2 = .27. Viewers’ number of fixations, dwell time and recall of gain-framed osteoporosis prevention ads was significantly higher than to loss- or neutrally-framed ads, p<.01. Message frame was also positively correlated with number of fixations, r=.29, p<.02 and dwell time, r=.42, p<.01. Findings may help expand theory related to message framing and the ELM, while contributing to advancements in eye tracking literature and health communications practice. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2009-08-27 16:13:32.848

This study aimed to compare the validity of a local positioning system (LPS) during outdoor and indoor conditions for team sports. The impact of different filtering techniques was also investigated. Five male team sport athletes (age: 27 ± 2 years; maximum oxygen uptake: 48.4 ± 5.1 mL/min/kg) performed 10 trials on a team sport-specific circuit on an artificial turf and in a sports hall. During the circuit, athletes wore two devices of a recent 20-Hz LPS. From the reported raw and differently filtered velocity data, distances covered during different walking, jogging, and sprinting sections within the circuit were computed for which the circuit was equipped with double-light timing gates as criterion measures. The validity was determined by comparing the known and measured distances via the relative typical error of estimate (TEE). The LPS validity for measuring distances covered was good to moderate during both environments (TEE: 0.9–7.1%), whereby the outdoor validity (TEE: 0.9–6.4%) was superior than indoor validity (TEE: 1.2–7.1%). During both environments, validity outcomes of an unknown manufacturer filter were superior (TEE: 0.9–6.2%) compared to those of a standard Butterworth filter (TEE: 0.9–6.4%) and to unprocessed raw data (TEE: 1.0–7.1%). Our findings show that the evaluated LPS can be considered as a good to moderately valid tracking technology to assess running-based movement patterns in team sports during outdoor and indoor conditions. However, outdoor was superior to indoor validity, and also impacted by the applied filtering technique. Our outcomes should be considered for practical purposes like match and training analyses in team sport environments.

O presente trabalho centra seu estudo na possível utilização de documentos fiscais eletrônicos no trabalho de rastreio de cargas, com o objetivo de propor metodologia de rastreamento apoiada em seu emprego, tendo em vista o processo em curso de mudança de paradigma no relacionamento fisco-contribuinte e a necessidade de evitar fraudes e sonegação que tanto atrapalham o crescimento do país. A metodologia de pesquisa, a partir da conceituação de documento eletrônico, baseou-se no levantamento, análise e avaliação dos principais documentos fiscais eletrônicos já envolvidos na operação com mercadorias e seu transporte (ou em desenvolvimento), num trabalho comparativo, bem como de algumas tecnologias de rastreamento existentes, atentando para os aspectos de validade jurídica e de legalidade de um e de outro, dentro do contexto tributário brasileiro. Os documentos em questão foram: a Nota Fiscal Eletrônica, o Conhecimento de Transporte Eletrônico e o Manifesto Econômico de Documentos Fiscais. Quanto ao rastreamento e sua legislação, as tecnologias contempladas em sua consonância com o objetivo do trabalho foram: tecnologia OCR (Optical Character Recognition), Weigh-in-Motion (WIN), RFID no veículo, RFID no produto, lacre eletrônico, scanners de carga, rastreadores e georreferenciamento. A conclusão do estudo apontou a possibilidade técnica de integração das informações fiscais com tecnologias de rastreamento de cargas e veículos, atualmente restrita, neste formato, ao rastreio de veículos. As possíveis soluções, embasadas juridicamente, implicam em diferentes decursos de prazos, custos e precisão nas informações prestadas. Há, porém, um caminho longo ainda a ser trilhado para que esta integração e adoção sejam plenas. / This essay focuses its study on the possible usage of electronic invoices for tracking freight, in order to propose tracking methodology, in view of shift the relationship paradigm government-taxpayer and the need to avoid fraud and tax evasion that both hinder the country´s growth. The research methodology, from the conceptualization of an electronic invoice, is based on the collection, analysis and evaluation of the main electronic tax documents already involved in the operation with goods and their transport (or in development), a comparative analysis, as well as some existing tracking technologies, noting aspects of legal validity and legality of one and other, within the context of the Brazilian tax. The observed documents are: goods electronic invoice and freights electronic invoice. As for tracking and its legislation, the technologies covered in line with the objective of the study are: OCR technology (Optical Character Recognition), Weigh-in-Motion (WIN), the RFID vehicle RFID product, electronic seal, scanners, cargo tracking and georeferencing. The conclusion of the study showed the technical feasibility of integrating information technology with tax tracking of cargo and vehicles, currently restricted, in this format, to the screening of vehicles. Possible solutions, supported legally, imply different timing, cost and accuracy of supplied information. However, there is still a long path to tread for this full integration and adoption.

O presente trabalho centra seu estudo na possível utilização de documentos fiscais eletrônicos no trabalho de rastreio de cargas, com o objetivo de propor metodologia de rastreamento apoiada em seu emprego, tendo em vista o processo em curso de mudança de paradigma no relacionamento fisco-contribuinte e a necessidade de evitar fraudes e sonegação que tanto atrapalham o crescimento do país. A metodologia de pesquisa, a partir da conceituação de documento eletrônico, baseou-se no levantamento, análise e avaliação dos principais documentos fiscais eletrônicos já envolvidos na operação com mercadorias e seu transporte (ou em desenvolvimento), num trabalho comparativo, bem como de algumas tecnologias de rastreamento existentes, atentando para os aspectos de validade jurídica e de legalidade de um e de outro, dentro do contexto tributário brasileiro. Os documentos em questão foram: a Nota Fiscal Eletrônica, o Conhecimento de Transporte Eletrônico e o Manifesto Econômico de Documentos Fiscais. Quanto ao rastreamento e sua legislação, as tecnologias contempladas em sua consonância com o objetivo do trabalho foram: tecnologia OCR (Optical Character Recognition), Weigh-in-Motion (WIN), RFID no veículo, RFID no produto, lacre eletrônico, scanners de carga, rastreadores e georreferenciamento. A conclusão do estudo apontou a possibilidade técnica de integração das informações fiscais com tecnologias de rastreamento de cargas e veículos, atualmente restrita, neste formato, ao rastreio de veículos. As possíveis soluções, embasadas juridicamente, implicam em diferentes decursos de prazos, custos e precisão nas informações prestadas. Há, porém, um caminho longo ainda a ser trilhado para que esta integração e adoção sejam plenas. / This essay focuses its study on the possible usage of electronic invoices for tracking freight, in order to propose tracking methodology, in view of shift the relationship paradigm government-taxpayer and the need to avoid fraud and tax evasion that both hinder the country´s growth. The research methodology, from the conceptualization of an electronic invoice, is based on the collection, analysis and evaluation of the main electronic tax documents already involved in the operation with goods and their transport (or in development), a comparative analysis, as well as some existing tracking technologies, noting aspects of legal validity and legality of one and other, within the context of the Brazilian tax. The observed documents are: goods electronic invoice and freights electronic invoice. As for tracking and its legislation, the technologies covered in line with the objective of the study are: OCR technology (Optical Character Recognition), Weigh-in-Motion (WIN), the RFID vehicle RFID product, electronic seal, scanners, cargo tracking and georeferencing. The conclusion of the study showed the technical feasibility of integrating information technology with tax tracking of cargo and vehicles, currently restricted, in this format, to the screening of vehicles. Possible solutions, supported legally, imply different timing, cost and accuracy of supplied information. However, there is still a long path to tread for this full integration and adoption.

L'avancement des communications sans-fil permet l'obtention de nouveaux services bases sur l'habileté des fournisseurs de services sans-fil à déterminer avec précision, et avec l'utilisation de technologies de pistage, la localisation et position géographiquement d'appareils sans-fil Cette habileté permet d'offrir aux utilisateurs de sans-fil de nouveaux services bases sur la localisation et la position géographique de leur appareil. Le développement des services basés sur la localisation des utilisateurs de sans-fil soulevé certains problèmes relatifs à la protection de la vie privée qui doivent être considérés. En effet, l'appareil sans-fil qui suit et enregistre les mouvements de I 'utilisateur permet un système qui enregistre et entrepose tous les mouvements et activités d'un tel utilisateur ou encore qui permet l'envoi de messages non anticipes à ce dernier. Pour ce motif et afin de protéger la vie privée des utilisateurs de sans-fil, une compagnie désirant développer ou déployer une technologie permettant d'offrir ce genre de services personnalisés devra analyser l'encadrement légal touchant la protection des données personnelles--lequel est dans certains cas vague et non approprié à ce nouveau contexte--ainsi que la position de l'industrie dans ce domaine, et ce, afin d'être en mesure de traduire cet encadrement en pratiques commerciales. Cette analyse permettra d'éclairer le fournisseur de ces services sur la façon d'établir son modèle d'affaires et sur le type de technologie à développer afin d'être en mesure de remédier aux nouveaux problèmes touchant la vie privée tout en offrant ces nouveaux services aux utilisateurs de sans-fil. / The proliferation of mobile communications is leading to new services based on the ability of service providers to determine, with increasing precision and through the use of location determination technologies, the geographic location of wireless devices and allow their users to receive services based on such location. The development of location-based services introduces new privacy risks for consumers that must be addressed. The portability of wireless devices coupled with their ability to pinpoint the location of wireless users and reveal it to others could produce a system where the everyday activities and movements of these users are tracked and recorded, and where wireless users receive unanticipated messages on their device. For this reason and in order to preserve the privacy of wireless users, a company looking to deploy a technology related to the providing of personalized location-based services ("LBS Provider") will have to analyze the privacy legal framework, coming either from legal sources--that may be in some case vague and not specific to this new context--or from the industry, and translate such framework into business practices. Such analysis may help in establishing what kind of business model and technology should be adopted and developed by LBS Providers in order to ensure the privacy of wireless users while providing this new type of service.

L'avancement des communications sans-fil permet l'obtention de nouveaux services bases sur l'habileté des fournisseurs de services sans-fil à déterminer avec précision, et avec l'utilisation de technologies de pistage, la localisation et position géographiquement d'appareils sans-fil Cette habileté permet d'offrir aux utilisateurs de sans-fil de nouveaux services bases sur la localisation et la position géographique de leur appareil. Le développement des services basés sur la localisation des utilisateurs de sans-fil soulevé certains problèmes relatifs à la protection de la vie privée qui doivent être considérés. En effet, l'appareil sans-fil qui suit et enregistre les mouvements de I 'utilisateur permet un système qui enregistre et entrepose tous les mouvements et activités d'un tel utilisateur ou encore qui permet l'envoi de messages non anticipes à ce dernier. Pour ce motif et afin de protéger la vie privée des utilisateurs de sans-fil, une compagnie désirant développer ou déployer une technologie permettant d'offrir ce genre de services personnalisés devra analyser l'encadrement légal touchant la protection des données personnelles--lequel est dans certains cas vague et non approprié à ce nouveau contexte--ainsi que la position de l'industrie dans ce domaine, et ce, afin d'être en mesure de traduire cet encadrement en pratiques commerciales. Cette analyse permettra d'éclairer le fournisseur de ces services sur la façon d'établir son modèle d'affaires et sur le type de technologie à développer afin d'être en mesure de remédier aux nouveaux problèmes touchant la vie privée tout en offrant ces nouveaux services aux utilisateurs de sans-fil. / The proliferation of mobile communications is leading to new services based on the ability of service providers to determine, with increasing precision and through the use of location determination technologies, the geographic location of wireless devices and allow their users to receive services based on such location. The development of location-based services introduces new privacy risks for consumers that must be addressed. The portability of wireless devices coupled with their ability to pinpoint the location of wireless users and reveal it to others could produce a system where the everyday activities and movements of these users are tracked and recorded, and where wireless users receive unanticipated messages on their device. For this reason and in order to preserve the privacy of wireless users, a company looking to deploy a technology related to the providing of personalized location-based services ("LBS Provider") will have to analyze the privacy legal framework, coming either from legal sources--that may be in some case vague and not specific to this new context--or from the industry, and translate such framework into business practices. Such analysis may help in establishing what kind of business model and technology should be adopted and developed by LBS Providers in order to ensure the privacy of wireless users while providing this new type of service.

Text in English / In this study, the research problem sought to explore, identify and acknowledge the value of vehicle tracking technology within the South African Police Service (SAPS). National legislation in the Republic of South Africa allows the SAPS and private organisations, such as Tracker, to create partnerships to successfully combat crime, such as vehicle related crimes. Data was collected by means of a literature study, together with semi-structured interviews that were individually conducted with non-commissioned officers of the SAPS: West Rand Flying Squad. These members are deployed daily, in an operational environment, to deal with the recovery of stolen and robbed motor vehicles; they utilise vehicle tracking technology to fulfil this function. A detailed study of literature relating to national legislation, SAPS directives, media and newspaper reports as well as library resources and international studies was conducted. The research indicates the importance of vehicle tracking technology in assisting specialized units within the SAPS to successfully and efficiently track and locate stolen or robbed motor vehicles. It is evident that the use of this type of technology has become an invaluable tool to the SAPS: West Rand Flying Squad members in their daily duties. Furthermore, members at grassroots level understand and appreciate the assistance and value of technology, especially as the technology enables them to effectively recover stolen or robbed motor vehicles, and to successfully arrest the perpetrators responsible for these thefts. The recommendations made in this study may provide a number of solutions to the South African government, SAPS, insurance industry and the general public, regarding the value of vehicle tracking technology. In addition, the study indicates how this technology can effectively assist in curbing vehicle crimes and the recovery of stolen or robbed motor vehicles; in the process, recovery affects the arrests of criminals, thus saving the economy a significant amount of money due to crimes of this nature. / Police Practice / M.A. (Criminal Justice)