Effects of Motion Measurement Errors on Radar Target Detection

This thesis investigates the relationships present between signal-to-clutter ratios, motion measurement errors, image quality metrics, and the task of target detection, in order to discover what factor merit greater focus in order to attain the highest probability of target detection success. This investigation is accomplished by running a high number of Monte Carlo trials through a coherent target detector and analyzing the results. The aforementioned relationships are demonstrated via sample synthetic aperture radar imagery, histograms, receiver operating characteristics curves, and error bar plots

Next evolution of workforce experiential learning for 21st century global access learners

The rapid pace of technological innovations has created opportunities, but also made it difficult for higher education institutions to keep up with 21st Century workplace readiness skills for students. By the time students graduate from college and enter the workforce, many are lacking the skills and capabilities needed to be proficient in their job functions. These skill and capability gaps are even wider for global access learners, or online learners. Due to new entrants possessing skill and capability gaps, leaders in workforce development, typically housed in learning and development, talent management, or other human resources arm, have taken ownership of providing workplace learning opportunities to close the gaps and allow workers to reach their desired competency level. This qualitative study investigated the strategies and best practices employed by workforce development leaders who are implementing experiential learning opportunities for their global access learners. This phenomenological study investigated insights of 16 workforce development leaders using semi-structured interviews. The study was guided by research questions which focused on the strategies and best practices of workforce development leaders, challenges they face when leading experiential learning across the globe, ways in which they mature learning success outcomes, and recommendations for others seeking to employ learning opportunities for global access learners. The study revealed 35 key findings related to creating a learning culture and establishing a learning ecosystem which contribute toward the success of implementing global access experiential learning

Imperfect observations in ecological studies

Every ecological data set is the result of sampling the biota at sampling locations. Such samples are rarely a census of the biota at the sampling locations and so will inherently contain biases. It is crucial to account for the bias induced by sampling if valid inference on biodiversity quantities is to be drawn from the observed data. The literature on accounting for sampling effects is large, but most are dedicated to the specific type of inference required, the type of analysis performed and the type of survey undertaken. There is no general and systematic approach to sampling. Here, we explore the unification of modelling approaches to account for sampling. We focus on individuals in ecological communities as the fundamental sampling element, and show that methods for accounting for sampling at the species level can be equated to individual sampling effects. Particular emphasis is given to the case where the probability of observing an individual, when it is present at the site sampled, is less than one. We call these situations ‘imperfect observations’. The proposed framework is easily implemented in standard software packages. We highlight some practical benefits of this formal framework: the ability of predicting the true number of individuals using an expectation that conditions on the observed data, and designing appropriate survey plans accounting forPublisher PDFPeer reviewe

"Building back better": seeking an equitable return to sport-for-development in the wake of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic affected sport programming by restricting in-person activities. Concurrently, global outcry for racial justice for Black and racialized communities promoted calls-to-action to assess equitable practices in sport, including Sport for Development (SfD). This study critically examined SfD ‘return to play’ programming to include perspectives from racialized persons’ lived experiences. We present findings based on data collected from MLSE Foundation’s Change the Game (CtG) research, which explored questions of sport inequity to ‘build back better’. Outcomes further SfD discourses challenging (potentially) harmful structures affecting participants, including under reported effects of racialization. The study used a mixed-method methodology with quantitative analysis of survey data, and thematic analysis of personal experience within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and decolonial conceptual framework

Financial health indicators: an analysis of financial statement information to determine the financial health of DoD contractors

MBA Professional ReportPrior to awarding a contract, government contracting officers must be able to determine the financial health of prospective contractors. In fact, according to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 9.104- 1(a), the very first general requirement to being considered a responsible prospective contractor is to show adequate financial resources to perform the contract or the ability to obtain financing. The purpose of this research is to identify a financial assessment framework that could assist DOD contracting officers with determining the financial health of potential DOD contractors. This research study may help DOD contracting officers determine the financial health of potential contractors prior to awarding a contract. The findings of this study provide a recommended framework that a contracting officer could follow in order to assess the financial health of a prospective contractor. The framework includes a ratio analysis using selected ratios compiled by this study, as well as a comparative analysis using industry average driven data. The framework also incorporates horizontal and vertical analyses, as well as bankruptcy and fraud analyses. The financial assessment framework created in this study is a comprehensive financial health assessment tool that can be utilized by DOD contracting officers.http://archive.org/details/financialhealthi1094551703Lieutenant Commander, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Imperfect observations in ecological studies

© 2016 The Author(s) Every ecological data set is the result of sampling the biota at sampling locations. Such samples are rarely a census of the biota at the sampling locations and so will inherently contain biases. It is crucial to account for the bias induced by sampling if valid inference on biodiversity quantities is to be drawn from the observed data. The literature on accounting for sampling effects is large, but most are dedicated to the specific type of inference required, the type of analysis performed and the type of survey undertaken. There is no general and systematic approach to sampling. Here, we explore the unification of modelling approaches to account for sampling. We focus on individuals in ecological communities as the fundamental sampling element, and show that methods for accounting for sampling at the species level can be equated to individual sampling effects. Particular emphasis is given to the case where the probability of observing an individual, when it is present at the site sampled, is less than one. We call these situations ‘imperfect observations’. The proposed framework is easily implemented in standard software packages. We highlight some practical benefits of this formal framework: the ability of predicting the true number of individuals using an expectation that conditions on the observed data, and designing appropriate survey plans accounting for uncertainty due to sampling. The principles and methods are illustrated with marine survey data from tropical northern Australia

Electric Polarizability of Neutral Hadrons from Lattice QCD

By simulating a uniform electric field on a lattice and measuring the change in the rest mass, we calculate the electric polarizability of neutral mesons and baryons using the methods of quenched lattice QCD. Specifically, we measure the electric polarizability coefficient from the quadratic response to the electric field for 10 particles: the vector mesons $\rho^0$ and $K^{*0}$; the octet baryons n, $\Sigma^0$, $\Lambda_{o}^{0}$, $\Lambda_{s}^{0}$, and $\Xi^0$; and the decouplet baryons $\Delta^0$, $\Sigma^{*0}$, and $\Xi^{*0}$. Independent calculations using two fermion actions were done for consistency and comparison purposes. One calculation uses Wilson fermions with a lattice spacing of $a=0.10$fm. The other uses tadpole improved L\"usher-Weiss gauge fields and clover quark action with a lattice spacing $a=0.17$fm. Our results for neutron electric polarizability are compared to experiment.Comment: 25 pages, 20 figure