2013 Theses (UMKC)
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/33227
The items in this collection are the scholarly output of UMKC graduate students.2024-03-28T12:22:13ZActive Mobile Interface for smart health
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/35936
Active Mobile Interface for smart health
Gorla, Pratima
Computer interfaces are rapidly evolving beyond the traditional keyboard-mouse-monitor triad. The widespread availability of touch screens and voice recognition software has made it possible to execute commands in many different ways, especially on mobile computing devices. While this has made it possible to get work done with the minimum of physical exertion, the consequent sedentary life style increases the risk of health problems like obesity and cardiovascular disease. While the use of accelerometers and camera based sensors in electronic gaming involving physical exercise has grown considerably, such interfaces are yet to find their way into the workplace. This thesis is based on the general idea of making human computer interfaces more energetic for routine use, and not just for gaming. It proposes the idea of a virtual keyboard that requires energetic arm or leg motions to type. Tri-axial accelerometers embedded into a gaming device are employed together with a light-weight motion detection and interpretation algorithm to simulate the act of typing. The thesis includes quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the prototype interface deployed for use on a mobile device.
Title from PDF of title page, viewed on July 2, 2013; Thesis advisor: Yugyung Lee; Vita; Includes bibliographic references (pages 96-100); Thesis (M.S.)--School of Computing and Engineering. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2013
2013-01-01T00:00:00ZAdaptive thermal comfort computation with Zigbee wireless sensor networks
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/41482
Adaptive thermal comfort computation with Zigbee wireless sensor networks
Aswathanarayanajois, Krishnaswaroop
The rapid development of wireless communications, scalable technology enabling large scale mass production of System-On-Chip boards, and low cost and low power sensors have made wireless sensor networks easy accessible and usable. Zigbee (802.15.4) operated wireless sensor networks have been commonly used in home automation, building automation, personal health care and fitness, consumer electronics, telecom services etc.
In our thesis we investigate Zigbee's application in computing thermal comfort in indoor environments as an extension of home automation systems. Maintenance of thermal comfort consumes a large majority of energy costs. In our home automation system we interfaced a Honeywell based humidity sensor. The Zigbee system consists of a central unit called a coordinator which acts as a control unit. The coordinator is responsible for configuring the network and the start of the network. The end-devices which also act as routers are interfaced with a humidity sensor, an inbuilt temperature sensor, light sensor and accelerometer. The end-device periodically reports data like temperature, humidity, light and accelerometer readings. From these readings, a thermal comfort index is calculated by an index called Predicted Mean Vote. Thermal comfort is dependent on variation of 6 factors like clothing, Metabolism, air temperature, air velocity, mean radiant temperature and relative humidity. A series of simulations are performed with MATLAB to illustrate variation of PMV with the above mentioned 6 factors. Finally prediction and opinion is given about cost variation with energy usage variation. Also the thesis gives advice on achieving thermal comfort by taking into consideration different factors and also to change those factors to achieve thermal comfort at expense of the cost
Title from PDF of title page, viewed on March 25, 2014; Thesis advisor: Cory Beard; Vita; Includes bibliographical references (pages 70-72); Thesis (M. S.)--Dept. of Computer Science & Electrical Engineering. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2013
2013-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment of HEC-18 equations for NCHRP abutment scour based on Kansas field data
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/36255
Assessment of HEC-18 equations for NCHRP abutment scour based on Kansas field data
Ambrose, Jacob Andrew
Bridge failures are caused by many different failure mechanisms, not the least of
which is scour. Scour occurs due to the erosion of streambed or bank material due to
flowing water and is often considered as being localized. Recently the National
Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) drafted a final report titled
"Estimation of Scour Depth at Bridge Abutments, NCHRP 24-20." The method outlined
in this document was adopted by HEC-18 as an alternative method for use in the
estimation of scour depths due to abutment scour. This new method requires field
review. The purpose of this report is to verify the validity of the NCHRP Abutment
Scour Equations derived from laboratory studies. Given the requirement by several states
to use the new method, finding the right equations to use for the design foundations
becomes crucial. The advantage of this study is the abundant field data available for a comparison through the Kansas Department of Transportation project headed by
TranSystems. A subset of the bridges is tested with the equations and comparisons are
made.
Title from PDF of title page, viewed on July 19, 2013; Thesis advisor: Jerry Richardson; Vita; Includes bibliographic references (pages 131-132); Thesis (M.S.)--School of Computing and Engineering. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2013
2013-01-01T00:00:00ZBaseline cortical activation to food pictures associated with change in weight, hunger, cognitive restraint, and disinhibition following bariatric surgery
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/41411
Baseline cortical activation to food pictures associated with change in weight, hunger, cognitive restraint, and disinhibition following bariatric surgery
Ness, Abigail Rose
Introduction: Recent research suggests that bariatric surgery may be associated with functional brain changes. Baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) food motivation paradigms may reveal particular patterns of brain activation, which could indicate successful outcomes in weight and other behavioral outcomes following bariatric surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine if activation to food images during a baseline fMRI food motivation paradigm is associated with post-surgical laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) outcomes. We hypothesized that areas previously implicated in food motivation and reward, as well as, cognitive control(inferior, middle, medial superior prefrontal cortex (PFC))would be associated with changes in weight, hunger, cognitive restraint, and disinhibition. Methods: 18 participants viewed food and non-food pictures from a well-established food motivation paradigm during an fMRI scanning session prior to LAGB surgery. Weight and three factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ) scores on cognitive restraint, disinhibition, and hunger were assessed pre-surgery and three and six months post-surgery. fMRI data were analyzed using Brain Voyager QX statistical package. Results: Whole brain analyses, corrected for multiple comparisons, were performed to analyze the relationship between pre-surgical brain activation and subsequent weight loss. Increased activity in frontal regions associated with cognitive control (medial, middle, superior frontal gyrus), with the exception of inferior frontal gyrus, was associated with more weight loss following LAGB. Increased activity in posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) was also associated with greater weight loss post-LAGB. In contrast, decreased brain activity to food cues in frontal areas related to control(inferior, middle, medial, and superior frontal gyri)and increased activity in areas related to reward and motivation (PCC) at baseline was associated with greater improvement in hunger, cognitive restraint, and disinhibition following surgery. Discussion: This is the first study to use fMRI to predict LAGB outcomes. We found that neural activity in previously established regions associated with food motivation, visual attention, and higher order processing predict weight loss following bariatric surgery. These preliminary findings highlight the role of neural circuitry in the success and maintenance of weight loss and suggest a possible future use of fMRI in screening LAGB surgery candidates.
Title from PDF of title page, viewed on March 17, 2014; Thesis advisor: Jared Bruce; Vita; Includes bibliographical references (pages 25-32); Thesis (M. A.)-- Dept. of Psychology. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2013
2013-01-01T00:00:00Z