Digital Commons Network^™

Peer Network Emergence And Change In The Classroom: A Multiple Systems Perspective, Nicole Ann Sage

Dissertations and Theses

This study examined peer group processes in the classroom that can potentially explain how motivationally "rich" children get "richer" whereas motivationally "poor" children get "poorer." In contrast to research on group processes which focuses on socialization from group to individual, this study focuses on contributions from the individual to his/her group. The viewpoint taken for this study is that children actively choose group members based on their own self-system state, thereby creating their own peer environments in which they develop.Viewed as open complex systems, children's natural peer groups were examined using data collected from students and their teachers at five …

Quench Factor Analysis Of Wrought And Cast Aluminum Alloys, Vishwanath Gandikota

Masters Theses

"Mechanical property variation across the cross section of heat treatable aluminum alloys is a major concern. To minimize such variation, a proper understanding of kinetic transformations and estimation of mechanical properties is required. The Jominy end quench test has been used successfully to study the effect of quench rate on the final heat treated properties of wrought and cast aluminum alloys. This test produces varying cooling rates along the length of a cylindrical sample cooled with water at one end. Jominy bars of wrought and cast aluminum alloys were solutionized, endquenched, and aged to T6 temper condition after delays of …

The Nature Of People's Perceptions Of Wolves, Laura Briana Nobel

Dissertations and Theses

European immigrants once regarded wolves as the "devil in disguise" (Lopez, 1978, p.40). With our growing awareness of other cultural perspectives and flourishing body of scientific knowledge with regard to wolves' behavior, our perceptions of wolves have become more complicated and nuanced. Our collective awareness of the environment in which we live also gathers complexity. I examine these issues in this study. Wolves are returning to Oregon. The arrival of wolf B-45 in 1999 heralded the beginning of the return of wild wolves to Oregon. More wolves are expected to cross the border as young sub-adults disperse from the growing …

Development And Use Of Computer Aided Tools To Enhance Team Dynamics With Role Play Simulations, Vachaspathy Kuntamukkala

Masters Theses

"This thesis proposes a methodology for the development and use of computer based tools to enhance student team dynamics. Working effectively in groups cannot be taught in class room environment. Students often encounter conflicts during team meetings. Although some conflicts are resolved by the efforts of team members, an unbiased facilitator who is not a member of the team is often needed to help. This work proposes a tool that uses role play simulations to engage students in real-life scenarios so that they gain a practical, as well as a theoretical, understanding of how to work effectively as a team. …

A Philosophical Analysis Of Olympic Eligibility, Values, And Auxiliary Rules, Sarah Jane Teetzel

Digitized Theses

This dissertation examines whether or not the rules governing participation in the Olympic Games facilitate the attainment of the values and ideals associated with the Olympic Games. Compared to the constitutive and regulative rules of sport, little critical analysis has been done on sports’ auxiliary rules concerning who can compete and under whatconditions. Whilerestrictionsonentriesarewarrantedtoensurethesizeofthe Olympic Games does not grow to include an unmanageable number of competitors, some rules that limit eligibility appear to be more unfair and discriminatory than others. Utilizing a mixed ethical framework, which focuses on rule-consequentialism and the moral concepts of equality, justice, and moral desert, through …

A Three-Phase Single-Stage Ac-Dc Zvzcs Pwm Full-Bridge Converter, Dunisha Savindri Wijeratne

Digitized Theses

It is standard practice to use two separate power converters to convert an ac input voltage to a desired and isolated dc output voltage. A front-end ac-dc converter is used to convert the input ac voltage into an intermediate dc voltage which is then fed into a dc-dc converter with transformer isolation. The front-end converter also performs input power factor correction (PFC) to shape the input currents to be sinusoidal and in phase with the input voltages to maximize the use of the available source power.

Conventional two-stage power conversion, however, requires two power con­ verters and there has been …

Apocalypse In Anime: Shifting Boundaries Of Human Technology Interface, Pauline Morris

Digitized Theses

Anime is the definitive postmodern genre through which to portray apocalyptic narratives as it provides an imaginative liminal site that transcends any specific culture and ethnicity, and through which global concerns can be investigated. The study of apocalypse in selected anime - Japanese animated film and television - is beneficial at the outset o f the 21st century when we are beset with catastrophes both ecological and technological that are recognizably manufactured by some degree of human involvement. This examination is pertinent to disciplines as diverse as communications, cultural theory, anthropology, film, cyborg studies, Asian studies, and English literature. The …

An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Societal Motivation To Maintain Irish And Classroom Motivation To Learn Irish In Ireland, Tamara N. Vanderveen

Digitized Theses

Using a qualitative lens, this study investigates the role the Irish language classroom plays in Irish language maintenance in the Republic o f Ireland. Data collected in the form of participant observation, questionnaires, and interviews provided the information needed to explore this question. The findings of this study suggest that most students view the Irish language as a school subject in which they must succeed in order to graduate. While they recognize the cultural significance of the language, they do not view Irish as a vehicle of communication in their daily lives. As a result, while students are learning Irish, …

An Investigation Into The Challenges Facing Ells In Ontario’S Multilingual English Language Arts Classrooms, Vikar Qureshi

Digitized Theses

Given the multicultural, multilingual nature of classrooms in Ontario, English language learners (ELLs) experience challenges while studying English-medium literacy material in mainstream English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to observe the reading comprehension performances of ELLs, given the objectives of English elementary curriculum (EEC) (Ministry of Education, Ontario/ MEO, 2006). Students from grades 5 and 6 in a public school in southwestern Ontario participated in the study. The researcher investigated the challenges three ELLs experienced when faced with English medium literacy material and the reasons for these challenges. Also, the application of different …

A Philosophical Analysis Of Olympic Eligibility, Values, And Auxiliary Rules, Sarah Jane Teetzel

Digitized Theses

This dissertation examines whether or not the rules governing participation in the Olympic Games facilitate the attainment ofthe values and ideals associated with the Olympic Games. Compared to the constitutive and regulative rules of sport, little critical analysis has been done on sports’ auxiliary rules concerning who can compete and under whatconditions. Whilerestrictionsonentriesarewarrantedtoensurethesizeofthe Olympic Games does not grow to include an unmanageable number of competitors, some rules that limit eligibility appear to be more unfair and discriminatory than others. Utilizing a mixed ethical framework, which focuses on rule-consequentialism and the moral concepts of equality, justice, and moral desert, through a …

Containers Of Electronic Art: Displaying Electronic Art In ‘White Cube’ And Experimental Spaces, Andrea L. Skelly

Digitized Theses

Containers ofElectronicArt investigates the presence ofmaterial electronic artworks in different art institutional display environments by contemplating two questions. First, how does material electronic art function within different types of art institutional spaces? Second, what does this reveal about the space? In order to answer these questions, this thesis researches electronic artworks found in three case studies: the Agnes Etherington Art Centre and the Koffler Gallery, presented together to illustrate the traditional white cube; ZKM Centre for Art and Media’s Media Museum, an experimental space solely dedicated to exhibiting interactive and electronic art; and InterAccess Electronic Media Arts Centre, which employs …

Psychopathic Traits And The Severity And Frequency Of Instrumental And Reactive Violent Offending, Jennifer L. Tapscott

Digitized Theses

The objective of this study was to test the validity of distinguishing between reactive and instrumental violence by determining whether these types of violence are related to different psychopathic traits. The files of 65 Canadian federal offenders were reviewed to determine frequency and severity of reactive and instrumental violent offending and frequency of nonviolent offending. Offenders self-reported their psychopathic traits using the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (Lilienfeld & Widows, 2005). As hypothesized, reactive offenses were more severe than instrumental offenses. Negative binomial regression indicated that rate of instrumental violent offending was negatively related to rates of both reactive violent offending and …

Español - Euskera Contacto Lingüístico: Pronombres Cliticos En Hablantes Bilingües, Beatriz Adriana Diez Mendieta

Digitized Theses

Este documento tiene como objetivo principal describir el comportamiento de los clíticos acusativos de tercera persona del singular en el español hablado por los habitantes de la población de Etxarri Aranatz. Indagando específicamente en si se presenta o no el fenómeno de la duplicación de los clíticos pronominales de tercera persona del caso acusativo. En caso de encontrar que este fenómeno de duplicación si se manifiesta, entonces realizar una descnpción del funcionamiento del fenómeno. Para lograr este objetivo se realizó un estudio de campo en la población de Etxarri Aranatz, donde se entrevistaron 19 residentes quienes fueron divididos en 3 …

Optimizing Glycolipids For The Treatment Of Type 1 Diabetes, Hartley J. Blumenfeld

Digitized Theses

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease resulting from the destruction of pancreatic islet |3 cells. The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse is a model for T1D. a-GalCer activates iNKT cells and reduces incidence of T1D in the NOD mouse. It is a potent iNKT cell agonist whose effects are not specific for T1D. Structural modifications to a-GalCer were made and tested in the NOD mouse in an attempt to optimize glycolipid-mediated protection from T1D. We found that PBS-25 exacerbated T1D whereas PBS-24 protected against T1D. PBS-25 failed to elicit a TH2-bias shift in cytokine secretion, decreased iNKT …

On The Foundations Of Computability Theory, Maia Hoeberechts

Digitized Theses

The principal motivation for this work is the observation that there are significant deficiencies in the foundations of conventional computability theory. This thesis examines the problems with conventional computability theory, including its failure to address discrepancies between theory and practice in computer science, semantic confusion in terminology, and limitations in the scope of conventional computing models. In light of these difficulties, fundamental notions are re-examined and revised definitions of key concepts such as “computer,” “computable,” and “computing power” are provided. A detailed analysis is conducted to determine desirable semantics and scope of applicability of foundational notions. The credibility of the …

Deformation Of The Clast-Matrix System And Its Application To The Microstructural Analysis O F Mylonites, Ruikun Liu

Digitized Theses

The theory for the deformation of the clast-matrix system where the clasts are rigid is based on Jeffery (1922, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London A102, 161-179) and is well understood. The theory for the deformation of the clast-matrix system where the clasts are deformable (Eshelby, 1957, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London A241, 376-396) has not been well studied, although it is more applicable to rock deformation. Recent studies indicate that a large discrepancy exists between microstructural data and the predictions based on Jeffery’s theory. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this discrepancy, but the problem …

Risk Of Hypertensive Disorders In Pregnancy Of Living Kidney Donors: A Pilot Cohort Study, Immaculate F.P. Nevis

Digitized Theses

The majority of living kidney donors is women. Female donors often ask their physicians whether donation will have any effect on their future pregnancies. Previous studies conclude that living donation poses no great harm for women who wish to become pregnant after donation. In Ontario, we are able to study this issue using large health care databases, and data from the Trillium Gift of Life Network. In this pilot study, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia) were compared among kidney donors and healthy women who did not become kidney donors. 55 donors were studied who became pregnant following …

Role Of Dopamine D2 Receptors In The Neural Circuitry Underlying Seasonal Reproduction In The Sheep, Matthew J. Maltby

Digitized Theses

Seasonal reproduction in sheep is determined by changes in the responsiveness of GnRH neurons to the negative feedback action of estradiol, mediated by dopaminergic afferents and dopamine D2 receptors (D2R). It is not known whether this influence acts directly onto GnRH neurons or indirectly via interneurons such as KNDy cells. In anestrous ewes, immunocytochemistry revealed D2R expression in ~50% of GnRH neurons independent of region. In contrast, using dynorphin as a marker, D2R colocalized >80% of KNDy cells and <10% of dynorphin cells of the POA. No seasonal variation was found in D2R expression in GnRH cells; however colocalization significantly increased in KNDY cells ¡h anestrous vs. breeding season. Immunochemistry found that kisspeptin fibres contact GnRH neurons synaptically. Results suggest that seasonal changes in this circuit are mediated by dopaminergic afferents contacting D2R-containing KNDy neurons, which in turn decreases expression of the stimulatory neuropeptide kisspeptin, inhibiting GnRH in seasonal anestrous.

Expanding Horizons For Community College Students: A Travel And Transfer Initiative On The Road To A Baccalaureate Degree, Pauline Moreau Ma

All Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Automated Offspring Sizing In Evolutionary Algorithms, André Chidi Nwamba

Masters Theses

"Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) are a class of algorithms inspired by biological evolution. EAs are applicable to a wide range of problems; however, there are a number of parameters to set in order to use an EA. The performance of an EA is extremely sensitive to these parameter values; setting these parameters often requires expert knowledge of EAs. This prevents EAs from being more widely adopted by nonexperts. Parameter control, the automation of dynamic parameter value selection, has the potential to not only alleviate the burden of parameter tuning, but also to improve performance of EAs on a variety of problem …

A Renewable Energy Feasibility Study To Power A Water Supply Pump In Sacala Las Lomas, Guatemala, William Anthony Granich

Masters Theses

"A clean and sufficient source of drinking water can be a challenge to develop in the rural highlands of Guatemala. Installing a submersible pump in a groundwater well can provide a source of water that is free of contamination and yields sufficient water throughout the year. Submersible pumps are typically powered from grid-power; however, an alternative energy source may be considered. An evaluation of the renewable energy resources has been conducted in Sacala las Lomas de San Martin Jilotepeque, Chimaltenango, Guatemala (Sacala). The drilling of a deep groundwater well has been proposed in Sacala to supply the community with sufficient, …

Comparison Of Dashboard-Based And Balanced Scorecard-Based Corporate Performance Management System, Lin Zhu

Masters Theses

"Under current hypercompetitive and technology driven economic environment, more companies are using a corporate performance management (CPM) system to gain more accurate understandings of the company goals and strategies and to craft methods of achieving those goals and strategies. While CPM systems are generally implemented in two approaches: dashboard approach and scorecard approach, very few studies examine the effectiveness of each type of CPM systems implementation. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a dashboard based and a balanced scorecard based corporate performance management system. The effectiveness is examined through management effectiveness, degree of …

Dutch Spatial Planning: The Coordination Of Compact Development And Affordable Housing, Andrew James Eickmann

Dissertations and Theses

This case study combines elements of exploration and description to examine the interaction of growth management and housing affordability within the Dutch system of spatial planning. In Section I, I introduce the research framework and pose the central research question: How do planners and policymakers in the Netherlands conceptualize and manage the relationship between land and housing markets, and the effects of that relationship on housing affordability? In Section II, I provide an overview of Dutch spatial planning, focusing on planning and policymaking at the national and municipal levels, and summarizing the postwar-era "bundled deconcentration" approach to growth management. Section …

Stereotype Threat And Implicit Attitudes: Implications For The Leaky Pipeline Of Women In Science, Karen E. Stamm

Open Access Dissertations

Historically, women have been under-represented in science disciplines. This phenomenon has been described as a "leaky pipeline" where fewer women advance to higher levels of the pipeline. A possible mechanism behind the leaky pipeline is stereotype threat, the fear of being negatively evaluated because of one's group membership. Stereotype threat can undermine the performance of the members of any disadvantaged group. For example, women may not perform well on science tasks because of the stereotype that "women can't do science."

This project examined whether stereotype threat negatively influences performance on an Implicit Association Test (IAT), a test that measures unconscious …

Participación De Los Desarrollos Emergentes A Causa Del Desplazamiento Armado, Luis Alejandro Forero Rodríguez

Arquitectura

No abstract provided.

Terminal De Transporte Tunja, Juan Ricardo Rojas Parra

Arquitectura

No abstract provided.

Vivienda Social Destinada A Cultivadores De Flores La Conejera, Héctor Manuel Arias Pedraza

Arquitectura

No abstract provided.

Ecoparque El Tunjuelo-Centro Acuático, María Elena Barrera Buenaventura

Arquitectura

No abstract provided.

Looking Into The Energy Future Of Developing Nations (A Case For Nuclear Technology), Sebastine Nwaiwu

Honors Capstones

The energy poverty being witnessed in many developing countries and the fear of a deteriorating environment are some of the factors driving the nuclear renaissance. Over the years, global energy demand has continued to increase without matching supply, giving signs of impending energy crises. The argument for nuclear technology seems to sound more convincing in the face of these problems. After more than two decades following the accidents of Chernobyl and Three Mile Island, the fear of global warming allegedly coming from fossil fuel seems to be trumping the fear and apprehension associated with radiation. With the rise in trade …

Oppression In The Lives Of Homeless Mothers With Mental Illness, Sarah J. Benbow

Digitized Theses

Individuals with mental illness are overrepresented in the homeless population. However, within this group, the increasingly growing subpopulation of homeless mothers with mental illness face a unique set of challenges. The experiences of homeless mothers with mental illness were examined from the critical perspective of feminist f j intersectionality. The purpose of this study was to unveil experiences of oppression and | resistance in the lives of homeless mothers with mental illness, while learning from them [■ I what is conducive to their health. A qualitative secondary analysis was done using focus 1 group transcripts from a study examining issues …