INCORPORATING RADIO FREQUENCY MESH NETWORKS TO LINK LIVE, VIRTUAL, CONSTRUCTIVE TRAINING

Given the importance of modeling and simulation (M&S) for creating realistic training environments and employing or developing tactical systems for warfighters, the Department of Defense is turning toward live, virtual, constructive (LVC) simulations as a means to prepare and equip our military for the next war. M&S offers a unique competency for modeling emergent enemy behaviors in constructive simulations on virtual battlefields across the globe. Transferring these dynamic tactical actions to live command and control (C2) systems used during training can create decision-making opportunities for distributed units to react to and act upon. The research conducted in this thesis assessed, developed, and implemented an appropriate LVC environment that can be used in training for tactical convoy operations in the Marine Corps. We developed a robust mesh network connected to a personal computer running a constructive simulation to create dynamic tracks on handheld, Android-based C2 systems. Using low-bandwidth radios to create the network, we were able to create a rich, tactically realistic training environment while minimally increasing the combat load of our Marines. The system we created has the same functionality of the blue force tracker (BFT). Because the BFT is no longer funded, we recommend the LVC solution we created for this thesis as a potential replacement with embedded training capabilities.Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite

The Effect of Sadism and Racism Levels on a Person\u27s Willingness to Harm an Innocent Victem

We investigated whether racial bias and sadism levels affected participants\u27 willingness to harm an innocent person. Participants completed a personality assessment mixed with ten sadism questions to reduce suspiciousness of what we were really measuring and competed with a fictional opponent, unbeknownst to the participant and randomly assigned to be black or white in a series of reaction time tests, followed by a punishment time, placing a hand in ice water for a number of seconds, decided by the winner of that round. There were four rounds in which the fictional opponent won the first round and assigned a punishment time of zero seconds, and the participant won rounds two, three, and four. The punishment times given by the participants were recorded and measured as the willingness to harm an innocent person. Participants facing a black opponent gave significantly higher punishment times than those who faced a white opponent. These results indicate that racial bias is still prevalent and can cause harm to those around us

Not Without Joy: A Reflective Practice Journey To Encouraging Literacy Through The Arts

ABSTRACT Not Without Joy: A Reflective Practice Journey To Encouraging Literacy Through The Arts This thesis chronicles my journey as a kindergarten teacher-researcher as I apply the arts to inform early literacy skills. It is the teacher’s role to drive the curriculum and it is his or her past experiences that will determine its delivery. After researching into my past, and gaining insight into my teaching philosophy, I discovered my passion for educating through the arts. To improve my teaching practice, and uncover the impact of my art driven curriculum, I recorded my actions, wrote daily field notes and collected the works of my students in order to discover the impact my lessons had on their self-perceptions as they became readers. Using the method of reflective practice, I question how teaching through the arts can support my students in visualizing themselves as readers while learning to read. The dissertation focuses on my daily reflections in regards to art activities intended to teach early literacy skills according to the International Reading Associations’ three reading standards. Reflections from these lessons are examined in parallel to the bi-monthly reading-self-portraits created by the students. Themes such as home and school emerge and, as the school year progresses, personal connections to reading are made as the children mature. Their reading-self-portraits evolve to illustrate lessons learned in class and conclusively depict independent reading. By expanding the definition of “literacy” to include new literacies and multimodality, and by validating the views of a reflective practitioner, I connect my teaching methods to my students’ improvement. Through reflective practice, I discover the key ingredient of a successful academic curriculum – joy

Robust model selection and outlier detection in linear regressions

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Operations Research Center, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-196).In this thesis, we study the problems of robust model selection and outlier detection in linear regression. The results of data analysis based on linear regressions are highly sensitive to model choice and the existence of outliers in the data. This thesis aims to help researchers to choose the correct model when their data could be contaminated with outliers, to detect possible outliers in their data, and to study the impact that such outliers have on their analysis. First, we discuss the problem of robust model selection. Many methods for performing model selection were designed with the standard error model ... and least squares estimation in mind. These methods often perform poorly on real world data, which can include outliers. Robust model selection methods aim to protect us from outliers and capture the model that represents the bulk of the data. We review the currently available model selection algorithms (both non-robust and robust) and present five new algorithms. Our algorithms aim to improve upon the currently available algorithms, both in terms of accuracy and computational feasibility. We demonstrate the improved accuracy of our algorithms via a simulation study and a study on a real world data set.(cont.) Finally, we discuss the problem of outlier detection. In addition to model selection, outliers can adversely influence many other outcomes of regression-based data analysis. We describe a new outlier diagnostic tool, which we call diagnostic data traces. This tool can be used to detect outliers and study their influence on a variety of regression statistics. We demonstrate our tool on several data sets, which are considered benchmarks in the field of outlier detection.by Lauren McCann.Ph.D

The Grizzly, October 6, 2011

Fong, CPPC Developing Strategic Plan • Study Abroad Undergoes Major Changes, Relocation • Art Department Sponsors Trip to New York City • Residence Life Sponsors First-Ever Sexual Olympics • Senior Spends Summer Researching Parkinson\u27s • International Film Festival: A Glimpse Into Other Cultures • Wismer on Wheels Offers Helping Hand • Club Promotes Suicide Awareness • Anti-anxiety Group Aims to Relieve Stress • UC Club Soccer Kicks Off First Full Season • UC Fencing Club Looking to Increase its Numbers • Coach Profile: Mark Feinberg, Swimminghttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1842/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, September 15, 2011

New CAB Events Coming This Fall • UC Commemorates 9/11 • CAB Hosts Activities Fair in Zack\u27s • GSA Welcomes New Board • Tips to Assist with Time Management • New Math Professor Brings Biostatistics Expertise • Peer Docent Program Returns to Berman • Senior Reminisces on Semester Spent Abroad • Opinions: Updated Sexual Assault Policy Needs Awareness; Libya Should Look to Spain When Rebuilding Government • Fast Start has Volleyball on Track for the Playoffs • Cross Country Eyes Continued Improvement in 2011 • Men\u27s Basketball Team Goes Abroadhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1839/thumbnail.jp

Разработка и валидация номограммы, позволяющей прогнозировать выживаемость без прогрессирования при терапии пазопанибом по поводу распространенного рака почки

Цель исследования – разработка и валидация номограммы, позволяющей прогнозировать 12-месячную выживаемость без прогрессирования (ВБП) у пациентов, получающих пазопаниб в качестве первой линии терапии распространенного рака почки.Материалы и методы. Проведено статистическое моделирование данных 557 пациентов, получавших пазопаниб, в исследовании III фазы COMPARZ. Известные прогностические факторы были внесены в мультивариантную модель по Cox. Рассмотренные параметры включали уровень нейтрофилов, содержание альбумина и щелочной фосфатазы в сыворотке, время между постановкой диагноза и началом лечения, а также наличие костных метастазов. Для валидации были использованы данные по группе участников плацебоконтролируемого исследования III фазы, получавших пазопаниб.Результаты. Данная модель включала 10 прогностических факторов, представленных в виде номограммы, позволяющей прогнозировать 12-месячную ВБП. Сопоставления, проведенные с целью калибровки разработанной модели, позволяют предполагать достаточное соответствие расчетных вероятностей ВБП ее фактическим показателям. Индекс конкордантности для 12-месячной ВБП составил 0,625. Отмечена достоверная взаимосвязь (p < 0,05) между ВБП и наличием костных метастазов, интервалом времени между постановкой диагноза и началом лечения, а также уровнями альбумина и щелочной фосфатазы. Прогностическая роль последних 2 параметров оказалась весьма существенной.Выводы. Номограмма позволяет с достаточной точностью прогнозировать ВБП у пациентов с распространенным раком почки, получающих пазопаниб, в зависимости от исходных клинических характеристик.Цель исследования – разработка и валидация номограммы, позволяющей прогнозировать 12-месячную выживаемость без прогрессирования (ВБП) у пациентов, получающих пазопаниб в качестве первой линии терапии распространенного рака почки.Материалы и методы. Проведено статистическое моделирование данных 557 пациентов, получавших пазопаниб, в исследовании III фазы COMPARZ. Известные прогностические факторы были внесены в мультивариантную модель по Cox. Рассмотренные параметры включали уровень нейтрофилов, содержание альбумина и щелочной фосфатазы в сыворотке, время между постановкой диагноза и началом лечения, а также наличие костных метастазов. Для валидации были использованы данные по группе участников плацебоконтролируемого исследования III фазы, получавших пазопаниб.Результаты. Данная модель включала 10 прогностических факторов, представленных в виде номограммы, позволяющей прогнозировать 12-месячную ВБП. Сопоставления, проведенные с целью калибровки разработанной модели, позволяют предполагать достаточное соответствие расчетных вероятностей ВБП ее фактическим показателям. Индекс конкордантности для 12-месячной ВБП составил 0,625. Отмечена достоверная взаимосвязь (p < 0,05) между ВБП и наличием костных метастазов, интервалом времени между постановкой диагноза и началом лечения, а также уровнями альбумина и щелочной фосфатазы. Прогностическая роль последних 2 параметров оказалась весьма существенной.Выводы. Номограмма позволяет с достаточной точностью прогнозировать ВБП у пациентов с распространенным раком почки, получающих пазопаниб, в зависимости от исходных клинических характеристик

The Grizzly, February 24, 2005

Spring Break Closing Information • Board of Trustees Meet to Discuss Issues on Campus • Fundraising Facts: Numbers Increase for Airband and Tsunami Relief Effort • Negro Spirituals Celebrate Black History Month • The Face in the Mirror: A Groundbreaking New Play for Ursinus • Competing Condoms: Consumer Reports Rates the Efficacy of Various Brands • Opinions: On the Look-out for a Boat Anchor?; Does UC Give Enough Charitable Support? • Wrestlers Grapple Conferences and Nationals • Bears Clinch Playoff Berthhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1579/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 10, 2005

Project Pericles: Ursinus Students Serving the Community • Break Out Your Microphone and Your Best Spandex: Here Comes Airband • USGA Updates • Burning Question: How to Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection • Literary Side of Music • Red-and-Golds at Ursinus • New Member Education: Three Weeks of Boredom for Non-Greeks? • Opinions: TheFacebook.com, I Hate You: A Victim\u27s Story; How Great is the Nuclear Terror Threat?; Iraqi Election: Why I Really Hate Bush • Wrestling Team Continues Annihilating its Opponents • McGarvey, Smith Rally Bears Past Washington • Daley and Guntli Come up Bighttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1577/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, April 14, 2005

Iraqi Visit for Model UN • Airband Raises Over $12k for Charity • Spring Fling is in the Air • Death of the Pope • UC\u27s Five Year Plan • Collective Soul Concert a Success • Ritter\u27s Last Play Debuts • Business Students go All-in for ALS • Art of Emotional Foreplay • Who\u27s in the Accepted Class of 2009? • Opinions: Lesson in Filibustering: Why You Need to Know; It\u27s my Party, I Invite Who I Want to; It\u27s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year; People Don\u27t Cause Traffic Problems, SUVs Do • Long Week for Women\u27s Softball • Women\u27s Lacrosse Team Continues Winning Streakhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1583/thumbnail.jp