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Conformations And Dynamics Of Semi-Flexible Polymers, Aiqun Huang Jan 2016

Conformations And Dynamics Of Semi-Flexible Polymers, Aiqun Huang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we investigate the conformations, transverse fluctuations and dynamics of two-dimensional (2D) semi-flexible polymers both in the bulk and under channel confinement. We present unified scaling relations in regard to various quantities of interest for a broad range of combinations of chain length and chain stiffness using Langevin dynamics simulation. We also present a three-dimensional (3D) heterogeneous semi-flexible chain model for a double stranded DNA (dsDNA). Our model not only confirms the established findings for homogeneous dsDNA, but also predicts new physical phenomenon for heterogeneous dsDNA. The problems studied in this dissertation are relevant to analysis of the …

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Model Nanocatalysts With Tunable Reactivity: Tailoring The Structure And Surface Chemistry Of Nanomaterials For Energy And Alternative Fuels Catalysis, Hemma Mistry Jan 2016

Model Nanocatalysts With Tunable Reactivity: Tailoring The Structure And Surface Chemistry Of Nanomaterials For Energy And Alternative Fuels Catalysis, Hemma Mistry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of the most pressing challenges of our time is meeting growing global energy demands while limiting human impact on the environment. To meet this challenge, new catalysts are needed to enable carbon neutral energy production processes and low cost synthesis of alternative fuels. In order to design new catalysts for such processes, fundamental understanding is needed on how the structural and chemical properties of nanostructured materials influences their surface chemistry. In this dissertation, I explore how the properties of nanoparticles, such as particle size, shape, composition, and chemical state, can be used to tune their reactivity. For this work, …

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University Of Central Florida Factbook 2015-2016, University Of Central Florida Jan 2016

University Of Central Florida Factbook 2015-2016, University Of Central Florida

Historical Fact Book and Enrollment

Historical fact book and enrollment data for the University of Central Florida.

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Sage Collections 2016, Ucf Libraries Jan 2016

Sage Collections 2016, Ucf Libraries

Technology Fee Funded Projects

The UCF Libraries is requesting $148,574 ($150,574 less a $2,000 cost share from UCF Libraries) for the one-time combined purchase Six SAGE Collections:

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Taxonomy Of Affective Curriculum For Gifted Learners, Derek Cavilla Jan 2016

Taxonomy Of Affective Curriculum For Gifted Learners, Derek Cavilla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teaching and learning in the current milieu of standards-based accountability has resulted in a near-exclusive focus on academic growth and development for students in today's schools. This is particularly acute for gifted students, whose label inherently focuses on superior intellectual capacity and aptitude for academic success. However, there is a growing demand for equal support of social-emotional learning (SEL) across the globe. In the United States, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has shed significant light on the power of affective development for school-aged children, indicating that, without it, students are limited in their ability to reach …

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An Analysis Of High School Homework Guidelines In One Urban School District, James Larsen Jan 2016

An Analysis Of High School Homework Guidelines In One Urban School District, James Larsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate homework guidelines according to criteria identified in the literature. Further the researcher attempted to determine the relationship, if any, between homework guidelines and student achievement results as measured by 2014-2015 high school graduation rates, American College Test (ACT) scores for reading and mathematics, and Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) scores for reading and mathematics for high schools in one urban school district. A document analysis was conducted focusing on curriculum guides, faculty handbooks, parent handbooks, student handbooks and school websites. Any reference to the identified criteria was recorded in the Homework Criteria Matrix. …

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The Influence Of Instruction In Base 8 On Prospective Teachers' Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching, Katie Harshman Jan 2016

The Influence Of Instruction In Base 8 On Prospective Teachers' Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching, Katie Harshman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research project was to extend existing research literature by providing insight to how prospective teachers with differing levels of mathematical knowledge developed their conceptual understanding of whole number concepts and operations. Prospective teachers of interest were enrolled in an Elementary School Mathematics Course for Teachers (in the College of Education) with a whole number concepts and operations unit set entirely in base 8. In this mixed-mode study, participants were given the MKT, a measure designed to measure teacher mathematical knowledge for teaching, before and after taking the base 8 unit. The researcher focused on two specific …

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Perspectives On Creativity: Theoria, Praxis, And Poiesis, Kathryn Bryan-Bethea Jan 2016

Perspectives On Creativity: Theoria, Praxis, And Poiesis, Kathryn Bryan-Bethea

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Theoretical perspectives on creativity encompass ideas such as risk, inquiry, resistance to conformity, and attraction to complexity. In response to these philosophical tenets I have organized my dissertation into three distinct but related manuscripts that explore creativity through theoria (knowing), praxis (doing), and poiesis (making). These manuscripts present an integrated approach to creative pedagogy. 1. The first manuscript is a review of literature with the aim to: provide a brief overview of creativity theories; consider an imbricated definition of creativity; and evaluate current empirical research. Research in creativity should provide a spectrum of methods that reflect the complex nature of …

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A Content Analysis Of Developmental Education In The Community College From The Chronicle Of Higher Education (2010 - 2015)., Jennifer Mezquita Jan 2016

A Content Analysis Of Developmental Education In The Community College From The Chronicle Of Higher Education (2010 - 2015)., Jennifer Mezquita

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative content analysis was to examine how developmental education in community colleges has been reported in one of the most prominent newspapers in higher education, The Chronicle of Higher Education. Using Framing Media Theory (de Vreese, 2005; Entman, 1993; Scheufele, 2000; Semetko & Valkenburg, 2000), 31 articles published from 2010 to 2015 were analyzed to explore the scope of attention given to developmental education, the frame devices used to describe the topic, and how the dominant frames changed from 2010 to 2015. The final results of this study indicated that the dominant frames associated with developmental …

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Using Case-Based Reasoning For Simulation Modeling In Healthcare, Khaled Alshareef Jan 2016

Using Case-Based Reasoning For Simulation Modeling In Healthcare, Khaled Alshareef

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The healthcare system is always defined as a complex system. At its core, it is a system composed of people and processes and requires performance of different tasks and duties. This complexity means that the healthcare system has many stakeholders with different interests, resulting in the emergence of many problems such as increasing healthcare costs, limited resources and low utilization, limited facilities and workforce, and poor quality of services. The use of simulation techniques to aid in solving healthcare problems is not new, but it has increased in recent years. This application faces many challenges, including a lack of real …

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Saturn's Rings: Measuring Particle Size Distributions Using Cassini Uvis Occultation Data, Tracy Becker Jan 2016

Saturn's Rings: Measuring Particle Size Distributions Using Cassini Uvis Occultation Data, Tracy Becker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since its arrival to Saturn in 2004, the Cassini spacecraft has utilized its suite of sophisticated instruments to further our understanding of the Saturnian ring system. We analyze occultation data from Cassini's Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) in order to measure the particle size distribution and place limits on the minimum particle sizes in Saturn's rings. Throughout the ring system, particle accretion is countered by collisional and tidal disruption and Keplerian shear. Therefore, the particle size distribution of the rings is continually evolving. The presence of sub-centimeter particles, which have short lifetimes due to these processes, is indicative of ongoing dynamics …

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The Effectiveness Of Placement Exams And A Free Remedial Summer Program At A Midsized Selective Private University, Kadie Mullins Jan 2016

The Effectiveness Of Placement Exams And A Free Remedial Summer Program At A Midsized Selective Private University, Kadie Mullins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In order to explore the effectiveness of MSSPU's remedial placement practices and the impacts of participation in the Free Remedial Summer Program on student outcomes, this ex post facto study examined performance in remedial courses, persistence to graduation, and time to graduation as it relates to mathematics and English composition placement level, high school grade point averages, entrance exam scores, and participation in the Free Remedial Summer Program. Five unique statistical tests were utilized to address fifteen hypothesis related to seven research questions. Several major findings were a result of this study. First, students who complete the mathematics placement exam …

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Analysis Of Employment And Earnings Using Varying Coefficient Models To Assess Success Of Minorities And Women, Amanda Goedeker Jan 2016

Analysis Of Employment And Earnings Using Varying Coefficient Models To Assess Success Of Minorities And Women, Amanda Goedeker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis is to examine the success of minorities (black, and Hispanic/Latino employees) and women in the United States workforce, defining success by employment percentage and earnings. The goal of this thesis is to study the impact gender, race, passage of time, and national economic status reflected in gross domestic product have on the success of minorities and women. In particular, this thesis considers the impact of these factors in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) industries. Varying coefficient models are utilized in the analysis of data sets for national employment percentages and earnings.

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The Relationship Between Extracurricular Stem Activities And Performance On The Florida Science Assessment, Karin Fisher Jan 2016

The Relationship Between Extracurricular Stem Activities And Performance On The Florida Science Assessment, Karin Fisher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students with disabilities perform below their non-disabled peers in science (National Center for Educational Statistics [NCES], 2011; National Educational Longitudinal Study [NELS], 1998; National Science Foundation [NSF], 2013). The achievement gap is a problem because the nation's competitiveness depends on individuals with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) knowledge, skills, and abilities to drive innovation that will lead to new products and economic growth (Business-Higher Education Forum [BHEF]/Act Policy Brief, 2014; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2016; National Science Board, 2015). If Florida is to continue to grow and prosper, all students, including students with disabilities must be …

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Forced Convection Cooling Of Electric Motors Using Enhanced Surfaces, Mohammed Almaghrabi Jan 2016

Forced Convection Cooling Of Electric Motors Using Enhanced Surfaces, Mohammed Almaghrabi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electric motors are extensively engaged in industrial and commercial applications such as electrical cars, energy-conversion systems, elevators, and actuators for aircrafts. Due to the significant internal heat generation, it is usually a challenge to design and manufacture high power density, high reliability, and low cost electric motors with superior performance. One of the efficient ways to dissipate the heat generated in the electrical motor is by using extended surfaces (i.e. heat sinks). These surfaces are extruded from the motor casing and air is forced though them by a cooling fan. This cooling approach is simple to be implemented and has …

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Second-Year To Third-Year In College: Identifying Factors In The Decision 'Not To Return', Paul Viau Jan 2016

Second-Year To Third-Year In College: Identifying Factors In The Decision 'Not To Return', Paul Viau

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine if there are characteristics that can be identified as predictors in an undergraduate's second year of college that may forecast the possibility of students' attrition prior to their third year. This current research was based on the literature that identified the following variables as impacting issues of retention and attrition between the second and third years in college: Term of admission offer, type of admission offer (Roth-Francis, 2013), home mailing address (Tierney, 2000), gender and age (Schaller, 2010), college enrolled in and major (Graunke & Woosley, 2005; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005), ethnicity …

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Computational Approaches For Binning Metagenomic Reads, Ying Wang Jan 2016

Computational Approaches For Binning Metagenomic Reads, Ying Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Metagenomics uses sequencing technologies to study genetic sequences from whole microbial communities. Binning metagenomic reads is the most fundamental step in metagenomic studies, which is essential for the understanding of microbial functions, compositions, and interactions in environmental samples. Various taxonomy-dependent and taxonomy-independent approaches have been developed based on information such as sequence similarity, sequence composition, or k-mer frequency. However, there is still room for improvement, and it is still challenging to bin reads from species with similar or low abundance or to bin reads from unknown species. In this dissertation, we introduce one taxonomy-independent and three taxonomy-dependent approaches to improve …

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Spatiotemporal Graphs For Object Segmentation And Human Pose Estimation In Videos, Dong Zhang Jan 2016

Spatiotemporal Graphs For Object Segmentation And Human Pose Estimation In Videos, Dong Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Images and videos can be naturally represented by graphs, with spatial graphs for images and spatiotemporal graphs for videos. However, for different applications, there are usually different formulations of the graphs, and algorithms for each formulation have different complexities. Therefore, wisely formulating the problem to ensure an accurate and efficient solution is one of the core issues in Computer Vision research. We explore three problems in this domain to demonstrate how to formulate all of these problems in terms of spatiotemporal graphs and obtain good and efficient solutions. The first problem we explore is video object segmentation. The goal is …

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Design Of A Jmldoclet For Jmldoc In Openjml, Arjun Mitra Reddy Donthala Jan 2016

Design Of A Jmldoclet For Jmldoc In Openjml, Arjun Mitra Reddy Donthala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Java Modeling Language (JML) is a behavioral interface specification language designed for specifying Java classes and interfaces. OpenJML is a tool for processing JML specifications of Java programs. To facilitate viewing of these specifications in a user-friendly manner, a tool JMLdoc was created. The JMLdoc tool adds JML specifications to the usual Javadoc documentation. JMLdoc is an enhancement of Javadoc that adds to the Javadoc documentation the JML specifications that are present in the source code. The JMLdoc tool is a drop-in replacement for Javadoc, with additional functionality and additional options. The current design of JMLdoc uses the standard …

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Structural Health Monitoring Of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels, Luca Letizia Jan 2016

Structural Health Monitoring Of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels, Luca Letizia

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This work is focusing to study the structural behavior of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPVs). These COPVs are found in many engineering applications. In the aerospace field, they are installed onto spaceships and aid the reorientation of the spacecraft in very far and airless, therefore frictionless, orbits to save energy and fuel. The intent of this research is to analyze the difference in performance of both perfectly intact and purposely damaged tanks. Understanding both the source and location of a structural fault will help NASA engineers predict the performance of COPVs subject to similar conditions, which could prevent failures of …

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Smart Material Actuation And Morphing For Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Caio H. Da Silva Lima Jan 2016

Smart Material Actuation And Morphing For Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Caio H. Da Silva Lima

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The intent of this thesis is to outline the design, analysis, and characterization of an axially compressed piezocomposite actuator and, in particular, to determine the correlation and accuracy of two models used to predict deflection of an axially compressed piezocomposite bimorph. Restrictions in material properties lead to vehicle inefficiencies caused by the discontinuous geometry of deflected control surfaces in unmanned aircraft systems. This performance disadvantage in discrete control surfaces is caused in part by the sharp edges that are formed when the surface is pivoted. Flow continuity over the body of a vehicle is important in minimizing the effects of …

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Plasma Temperature Measurements In The Context Of Spectral Interference, Brandon Seesahai Jan 2016

Plasma Temperature Measurements In The Context Of Spectral Interference, Brandon Seesahai

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The path explored in this thesis is testing a plasma temperature measurement approach that accounts for interference in a spectrum. The Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES) technique used is called Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and involves focusing a laser pulse to a high irradiance onto a sample to induced a plasma. Spectrally analyzing the plasma light provides a "finger print" or spectrum of the sample. Unfortunately, spectral line broadening is a type of interference encountered in a LIBS spectrum because it blends possible ionic or atomic transitions that occur in plasma. To make use of the information or transitions not …

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Women's Professional Sports: A Case Study On Practices That Could Increase Their Profitability, Danielle H. Mcardle Jan 2016

Women's Professional Sports: A Case Study On Practices That Could Increase Their Profitability, Danielle H. Mcardle

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Women’s professional sports leagues have often been considered a risky business endeavor. Critics cite low attendance, lack of sponsorships, lack of media rights deals, and numerous other reasons for why women’s professional sports leagues are not profitable. In analyzing the current landscape of women’s professional sport leagues, this paper uses a case study approach to develop a strategy that will highlight lessons learned from past women’s professional sports leagues, current professional sports leagues, sponsorship agreements, fans, social, digital, and mobile marketing strategies, and management practices to show how the business of women’s sports could be made into a more profitable …

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Self-Assembly Of Rous Sarcoma Virus Capsid Protein, Probed By Solid-State Nmr And Tem, Jaekyun Jeon Jan 2016

Self-Assembly Of Rous Sarcoma Virus Capsid Protein, Probed By Solid-State Nmr And Tem, Jaekyun Jeon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The retroviral capsid protein (CA) is derived from the cleavage of Gag polyprotein during the maturation process, and self-assembles into a polymorphic fullerene-like shell encasing the viral genome materials. The orthoretroviral CAs, for instance, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) CA, has little similarity in their sequence composition but a common 3D structure. They form distinct capsid assembly in vivo and a range of similar assemblies in vitro. Due to the substantial polymorphism, such assemblies are not amenable for conventional structural biology techniques such as X-ray diffraction crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is the …

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Intrinsic Modulation Response Modeling And Analysis For Lithographic Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers, Mingxin Li Jan 2016

Intrinsic Modulation Response Modeling And Analysis For Lithographic Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers, Mingxin Li

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have been greatly improved and successfully commercialized over the past few decades owing to their ability to provide both mode and current confinement that enables low energy consumption, high efficiency and high modulation speed. However, further improvement of oxide VCSELs is limited by the nature of the oxide aperture because of self-heating, internal strain and difficulties in precise size control. In this dissertation, VCSELs using lithographic approach are demonstrated to overcome the limitations of oxide VCSELs, in which an intra-cavity phase shifting mesa is applied to define the device size and provide optical mode and electrical …

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Modeling Rogue Waves In Deep Water, Maria Strawn Jan 2016

Modeling Rogue Waves In Deep Water, Maria Strawn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The evolution of surface waves in deep water is governed by the nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation. Spatially periodic breathers (SPBs) and rational solutions of the NLS equation are used as typical models for rogue waves since they exhibit many features of rogue waves. A major component of the dissertation is the stability of solutions of the NLS equation. We address the stability of the rational solutions of the NLS equation used to model rogue waves using squared eigenfunctions of the associated Lax Pair. This allows us to contrast to the existing results for SPBs. The stability of the constant amplitude …

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Transparency In Human-Agent Teaming And Its Effect On Complacent Behavior, Julia Wright Jan 2016

Transparency In Human-Agent Teaming And Its Effect On Complacent Behavior, Julia Wright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how transparency of an intelligent agent's reasoning affected complacent behavior in a route selection task in a simulated environment. Also examined was how the information available to the operator affected those results. In two experiments, participants supervised a three-vehicle convoy as it traversed a simulated environment and re-routed the convoy when needed with the assistance of an intelligent agent, RoboLeader. Participants were randomly assigned to an Agent Reasoning Transparency condition. Participants received communications from a commander confirming either the presence or absence of activity in the area. They also received information regarding potential events along their route …

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Degradation Of Hexachlorobenzene, Pentachlorophenol And Pentachloroanisole Using Activated Magnesium In An Acidified Ethanol/Ethyl Lactate Cosolvent System, Amel Garbou Jan 2016

Degradation Of Hexachlorobenzene, Pentachlorophenol And Pentachloroanisole Using Activated Magnesium In An Acidified Ethanol/Ethyl Lactate Cosolvent System, Amel Garbou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For many centuries, chemists have dedicated many labor-intensive hours to improving the quality of life for mankind by developing synthetic methods for the production of compounds which fulfill the needs and meet the demands of society. However, the innovation of such compounds has frequently come at the cost of detrimental side-effects that do not always present themselves until many years, or even decades, following their initial application. Many compounds in this category come in the form of globally-distributed halogenated molecules which are toxic to many living organisms, susceptible to bioaccumulation and resistant to biodegradation processes. Such compounds are classified as …

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Habitat Selection In Transformed Landscapes And The Role Of Novel Ecosystems For Native Species Persistence, Lina Maria Sanchez Clavijo Jan 2016

Habitat Selection In Transformed Landscapes And The Role Of Novel Ecosystems For Native Species Persistence, Lina Maria Sanchez Clavijo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To understand native species persistence in transformed landscapes we must evaluate how individual behaviors interact with landscape structure through ecological processes such as habitat selection. Rapid, widespread landscape transformation may lead to a mismatch between habitat preference and quality, a phenomenon known as ecological traps that can have negative outcomes for populations. I applied this framework to the study of birds inhabiting landscapes dominated by forest remnants and shade coffee plantations, a tropical agroforestry system that retains important portions of native biodiversity. I used two different approaches to answer the question: What is the role of habitat selection in the …

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An Analysis Of Undergraduate Elementary School Pre-Service Teachers' Ability To Contextualize Fraction Expressions And Decontextualize Fraction Word Problems, Laura Tapp Jan 2016

An Analysis Of Undergraduate Elementary School Pre-Service Teachers' Ability To Contextualize Fraction Expressions And Decontextualize Fraction Word Problems, Laura Tapp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research was to expand on existing literature by providing information on elementary school pre-service teachers' ability to contextualize fraction expressions and decontextualize fraction word problems. The elementary school pre-service teachers who participated in this study were enrolled in a mathematics for elementary school teachers content course in a college of education at a large university during the Spring 2016 semester. In this mixed-method study, the participants were given the Contextualization and Decontextualization of Fractions Instrument (CDFI) which assessed elementary school pre-service teachers' ability to solve fraction word problems and identify decontextualized fraction word problems into expressions …

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