Recipient Project Abstracts
Fall 2006
Technology-based
Research Category:
Detecting Structural Differences between Coding and Non-Coding Regions in Genomes
PI: David Hutchison, Math and Computer Science
Co PIs: George Graham, Math and Computer Science; Torsten Alvager, Physics
At the conclusion of the
Human Genome Project it was known that over 90% of the Genome does not code for
proteins. At first this was called “Junk DNA” and was thought to be useless to
the organism. It is now known that much of this “Junk DNA” is important to the
functioning of the organism. We propose to study the differences in structure in
the coding and non-coding regions of the Human Genome and other Genomes. Briefly,
we will do this by measuring how easy it is for a certain Neural Net to learn its
input, which we will take from different portions of a Genome.
Mining and
Visualizing Urban Heat Islands from Time Series of Landsat
PI: Qihao Weng, Geography, Geology, and Anthropology
Co PI: Umamaheshwaran Rajasekar, Geography, Geology, and Anthropology
Research will focus on: 1) the development of data mining methods (prototypes) for extraction of urban heat islands in major cities in the world, and 2) tracking of the objects in space and space-time by visualization. The technical needs for satellite data processing, especially for data acquisition, assess, storage, product formats and generation, will also be studied in order to help in the effective space and space-time analyses of similar Earth’s surface phenomena and urban ecosystems. Furthermore, it will develop methods for analyzing patterns and hidden relationships from the vast collection of time series of images by integrating Landsat data and other systems (such as ASTER and MODIS data) currently in orbit or planned for launch in the near future.
Emerging
Technologies
Biomechanical Sport Analysis and 3D Stereoscopic Visualization Using the Ariel Wizard and Strobe Software
PI:
Alfred Finch, Physical Education
This project objective is to increase the visualization capabilities of the Biomechanics Sport Analysis Center through the acquisition and implementation of the Ariel Wizard & Strobe 3D visualization software. The Wizard is a new templated program from Ariel Dynamics that will determine the critical sport performance variables. The Strobe software creates a stereoscopic and stroboscopic 3-D reconstruction from multiple camera views for visualization analysis. These 2 packages will be the first copies installed at a major US university and newly introduced to the worldwide market.
Additionally, it is believed that the strobe software may be used for 3D stereoscopic analysis using the recently renovated 3D visualization laboratory system in Normal Hall.
Diffusing Geographic Information Systems across the ISU Campus
PI: Nancy Obermeyer, Geography, Geology & Anthropology
CoPI: Qihao Weng, Geography, Geology & Anthropology
The purpose of the activity herein proposed is to diffuse GIS technology across the ISU campus. We propose to do this by developing a pilot project that will involve faculty, staff, and students in the schools of Business, Nursing, Technology, Health & Human Performance, and Arts & Sciences and the ISU Library. Initially, we will focus on collaborating across these institutional boundaries to develop GIS modules for the faculty who are interested in using GIS as a query tool. This activity will entail developing discipline-specific and course-specific data bases and class exercises that will meet the needs of our partners. The project will also serve as a pilot program for external grant submissions.
Forensic Drawing Project
PI: DeVere Woods, Criminology
The Department of Criminology will acquire SmartDraw Legal software to use for forensic investigation in three Criminology courses. Along with classroom projects and out of classroom assignments, students will use the software to participate in mock crime scenes senarios where they will apply the priniciples of forensic drawing to field exercises. The crime scene scenarios will necessitate that students apply what they have learned in the classroom and their readings to work through realistic problems. In the process, students will need to electronically record the crime scene and check computerized databases. These skills will help our students be more competitive in the workplace. The software will also be an important component in our efforts to incorporate technology into the laptop initiative.
Sycamore Business Advisors (Bus 401: Senior Business Experience)
PI: David Robinson, Organizational
Sycamore Business Advisors (SYBA) is a not-for-profit strategic process consulting company that provides services for free to other not-for-profit organizations and small business in the Wabash Valley. SyBA is organized as a capstone business course summarizing the knowledge students have gained throughout their undergraduate education. Thus, the employees are senior level business students at ISU. The course allows students to utilize their skills and knowledge in a real business environment as process consultants for our clients with the help of advanced technology. SYBA will utilize a software program known as
Adobe Connect (Breeze) to enable video conferences with corresponding businesses and eventually allow SYBA to reach out to long distance customers.
Using Innovative Technology to Link the New Educational/Outreach Aquarium Display to the Campus and Community
PI: Anthony Rathburn, Geography, Geology, and Anthropology
Innovative use of technology is required to support and enhance the new, student designed, student built, and student maintained educational/outreach aquarium display at ISU. Funded by private donations and collaborative efforts of 3 ISU departments, this display is designed to facilitate experiential learning and enhance science education through a better understanding and appreciation of our natural world. Live views of the tanks brought to classrooms on and off campus via web cams would provide an exciting, novel means of bringing experiential science education to community students. Webcam technologies will enable teachers in remote classrooms to incorporate experiential aquarium activities in their educational programs. A plasma screen would showcase student projects, provide educational information, and promote science and conservation of natural resources.
Using Tablet PC Technology and Web Pages to Enrich the International Business Online Class
PI: Aruna Chandra, Organizational
This project proposes to design and develop a dedicated, interactive companion web site to international business (IB) courses at the undergraduate/graduate levels and to use Tablet PC technology to enhance web site content as well as online course material. The IB web site is part of an innovative, experiential learning approach that is based on online delivery of student-developed, faculty-guided learning modules on relevant and timely international business topics to area high schools students and teachers. Expected outcomes are learning by creative teaching and discovery for ISU students, increased student engagement / interaction with local schools and contact with the local business community through dissemination of the web site.
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