Digital Commons Network^™

Principal And Teacher Attitudes And Perceptions Toward Implementation Of Site Based Participatory Decision Making In A Small School District, D. Guy Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the relationship of principals' and teachers' attitudes and perceptions toward a site based participatory decision making model that was implemented in a small school district. The main variables were the teachers' and principals' attitudes regarding the process, their attitudes regarding how the process was functioning in their schools, and their perceptions regarding areas for teacher involvement in the process.

The study incorporated quantitative and qualitative features. The quantitative design included a forty question survey. Thirty questions incorporated a Likert like scale, six questions were demographic in character, and four questions were open-ended by design.

The study was …

Relationships Between Previous School And Life Experiences Of Pre-Service Elementary Teachers And Their Attitudes Toward Science And Science Teaching, Carlyn Elizabeth Grutzner Sampson

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationships between previous school and life experiences of pre-service elementary school teachers at the University of North Dakota and their attitudes toward science and science teaching.

The study incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The first six pre-service teachers from one of the science methods class who volunteered were selected for taped private interviews. Based on this information a quantitative survey (Sampson Survey I) was designed for discovering the relationship between past experiences of pre-service teachers and their current attitudes toward science and teaching science. Additionally, the Shrigley Science Attitude Scale (Shrigley, 1974b), which assesses attitudes …

Bring The Self Back In: An Empirical Critique Of The Oversocialized Conception Of Women In Sport, Kimberly Ann Tyler-Ayers

Theses and Dissertations

This study takes a grounded theory approach to female socialization into sport. It argue* that social learning theory provides an inadequate theoretical framework for understanding female socialization into sport due to its emphasis on external socializing agents. This focus encourages an oversocialized view of the individual that generally falls to recognize the central role of the self in the socialization process. Semi-structured interviews with college level athletes, semi-athletes and non-athletes illustrates the prominent role of the self throughout the life course in socialization and social behavior.

General Education Requirements For Elementary Preservice Teachers: A Case Study, Judith K. Mccutchan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate curricular patterns for general education requirements in elementary teacher education during the period 1970-1990 and to examine the general education of elementary education seniors at the University of North Dakota in 1987-88 within the framework of changing views of the purposes of general education in teacher education.

Students were selected randomly from a list of seniors majoring in elementary education, elementary/early childhood education and elementary/special education during spring semester of 1988. Sixty students were contacted by telephone and interviewed during the final two weeks of the spring semester. Twenty-one faculty members whose …

A General Three Dimensional All Quadrilateral Surface Mesh Generation Algorithm, Roger Cass

Theses and Dissertations

Among the available all-quadrilateral mesh generation algorithms progressive-front offers the best quality and robustness. The paving algorithm is a progressive-front technique that generates a two dimensional mesh of all quadrilaterals on planar surfaces. The technique is particularly suited to meshing irregular boundaries with interior holes. This thesis presents an extension of the paving algorithm to generalized three dimensional surfaces. The major problems in three-dimensional surface mesh generation are projection of nodes, calculation of interior angles, and connection of mesh fronts. The solutions to these problems are presented. This work is part of the ongoing CUBIT project at Sandia Labs. The …

Comparison Of Synchronization Techniques For The Afit Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum System, Edward A. Bednar

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to analyze and evaluate the performance of several code synchronization methods that could be used in the Air Force Institute of Technology's (AFIT) Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) communication system. These methods include the sliding correlator, transmitted reference, sequential estimation, and three types of matched filters. The matched filters are the baseband matched filter, delay line matched filter, and the convolver. The criteria used for the evaluation of these synchronization methods are theoretical synchronization times and probability of bit-error. Advantages and disadvantages of each synchronization method are described and a method is recommended to be …

Strategic Deterrence In The Post-Start Era, David C. Mccormick

Theses and Dissertations

With the Soviet Union's fall there have been widespread calls for drastic reductions in the United States military's strategic nuclear forces. Although a major threat to the United States has been greatly reduced, the number of strategic targets will not decrease as rapidly as the number of available weapons. This research considers how the United States should think about strategic forces in the rapidly changing world order of the 1990s. An extensive literature review of deterrence concepts and conventional weapons capabilities is conducted with special attention paid to the role that precision guided munitions played in the 1991 Persian Gulf …

An Examination Of Hypercube Implementations Of Genetic Algorithms, Andrew Dymek

Theses and Dissertations

Genetic algorithms are stochastic search algorithms which model natural adaptive systems. In support of the development of a genetic search package for AFIT's iPSC/2 Hypercube, this study focused on two problem areas associated with hypercube implementations. Premature convergence occurs when the population becomes dominated by locally optimal, but globally inferior, solutions. Based on an examination of past hypercube implementations, the selection and communication strategies were hypothesized as causes of premature convergence. Experiments to test these hypotheses were conducted on Rosenbrock's saddle, a function often associated with premature convergence. Communication of best solutions led to premature convergence in small population sizes, …

Development Of A Flight Information System Using The Structured Method, Yeong-Lae Kwak

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the development of a database system for the Flight Information System (FIS) of the Korean Air Force. The scope of the FIS is too large to be covered by this thesis. Thus, this thesis covers only the core part of the FIS due to the limitation of time and man-power. This thesis uses the structured method. Structured analysis and structured design techniques are mainly used two techniques. This thesis focused not only the development of the FIS but also the application of the software development method, the structured method, and its tools such as DFD, DD, ERD, …

Satool Ii: An IdefO Case Workbench Using Ada And The X Window System, Betty Topp

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research effort is to perform an object oriented analysis, design and implementation of the graphical user interface (GUI) for the SATool II system. SATool II is a computer Assisted Software Engineering (CASE) workbench developed using Ada and the X Window system. It is designed to serve as an IDEFo graphical project editor and data dictionary editor. IDEF₀ is the ICAM Definition Method Zero graphical notation language adopted by the Air Force to produce a function model of a manufacturing system or environment. The Air Force Institute of Technology is conducting on-going research in the use …

Implementation And Analysis Of Np-Complete Algorithms On A Distributed Memory Computer, Joel S. Garmon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to explore methods used to parallelize NP-complete problems and the degree of improvement that can be realized using different methods of load balancing. A serial and four parallel A* branch and bound algorithms were implemented and executed on an Intel iPSC/2 hypercube computer. One parallel algorithm used a global, or centralized, list to store unfinished work and the other three parallel algorithms used a distributed list to store unfinished work locally on each processor. the three distributed list algorithms are: without load balancing, with load balancing, and with load balancing and work distribution. The …

Model Of A Nuclear Thermal Test Pipe Using Athena, Mark J. Dibben

Theses and Dissertations

Nuclear thermal propulsion offers significant improvements in rocket engine specific impulse over rockets employing chemical propulsion. The computer code ATHENA (Advanced Thermal Hydraulic Energy Network Analyzer) was used in a parametric analysis of fuelpipe. The fuelpipe is an annular particle bed fuel element of the reactor with radially inward flow of hydrogen through it. The outlet temperature of the hydrogen is parametrically related to key effects, including the effect of reactor power at two different pressure drops, the effect of the power coupling factor of the Annular Core Research Reactor, and the effect of hydrogen flow. Results show that the …

An Analysis Of The Endurance Of Mobile Satellite Command And Control Systems, Steven O. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the endurance of a single deployed generic mobile space (GMS) command and control (C2) system. Specifically, factors which affect overall system performance were examined. The analysis began with the development of a simulation model for a GMS C2 system. Optimal settings of factor levels were determined by using the model to find peak system endurance and availability. Factors set were field support vehicle (FSV) access, numbers of maintenance personnel, and numbers of spare components available. After optimum values were chosen for these factors, an experimental design was conducted to determine factor effect between maintenance manpower and the …

Automating The Weekly Flight Scheduling Process At The Usaf Test Pilot School, Gary G. Foster

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated different scheduling solution approaches that could be automated and applied at the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS). Currently at the TPS, flight schedules are manually developed on a daily basis. Weekly flight schedules are not developed due to the large quantity of data that must be processed to develop a flight schedule for an entire week. A weekly flight scheduling approach would reduce the occurrence of scheduling problems and unbalanced resource utilization, both of which are often the result of a daily flight scheduling approach. In addition, posting a flight schedule for the entire week would improve …

An Analysis Of Escort Formations, Mustafa Ilhan

Theses and Dissertations

This study used computer simulation to investigate escort fighter formations unknown interceptor threat environment. A USAF computer simulation model, TAC, was used to simulate air combat between the escorts and the interceptors in several different combat scenarios. The escort formations were defined by the vertical and horizontal distances of the escort fighters from the main strike body. Interceptors were characterized as one of two types of fighters with dissimilar aircraft frames and missile firing ranges. A central composite design was used to mathematically model the effect of escort formations and interceptor type on the survivability of the bombers and escorts. …

An Outline For A Manufacturing Planning And Control System For A Repair/ Overhaul/Rebuilding Environment, Peter H. Miyares

Theses and Dissertations

This study outlines a structure for a manufacturing planning and control (MPC) system for a repair/overhaul/rebuilding environment. Included an examination of the organizational components that must be incorporated into the system and the planning functions for which the system can be used. The study compares and contrasts the differences between an MPC system for a maintenance organization and a manufacturing organization and concludes that the MPC system for a maintenance organization must account for the greater degree of variability that occurs within the process. The proposed system is composed of an information system which collects data from throughout an organization …

Quantifying The Impact Of The Acquisition Professional Development Program Certification Requirements On The Air Force Institute Of Technology, Paul A. Nicholson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of implementing the Acquisition Professional Development Program on the Air Force Institute of Technology. APDP is part of a DOD-wide effort to decrease inefficiency in the procurement process. The program encompasses a tri-level certification process based on experience, training, and educational standards. APDP serves as a guideline for professional development of acquisition personnel from entry to senior level management. Many of the courses required for certification are offered through AFIT School of Systems and Logistics. Integrating the new educational requirements as a standard for career development is expected to produce …

A Decision-Theoretic Approach To Recommending Action In The Air-To- Ground Aircraft Of The Future, Garrison H. Flemings

Theses and Dissertations

Designers of air-to-ground fighters of the future should consider including decision support systems to relieve pilots of some of the present workload. Those decision support systems should use utility theory. This work reviews two techniques of utility theory (decision trees and influence diagrams) and a new technique due to Morlan (probability ratio nets). The work includes a proposed structure for action recommendation systems in air-to-ground fighters of the future. The work describes an implementation of probability ratio nets. The work demonstrates the value of decision theory to air-to-ground fighters of the future by way of solving an example problem and …

Saber: Airland Combat Training Model Credibility Assessment And Methodology, David L. Scagliola

Theses and Dissertations

Saber is a theater-level, airland combat training model, designed by a number of computer science and engineering students and faculty at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Saber is intended to replace the Agile model, which is currently used at the Air Force Wargaming Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama for Theater Warfare Exercise (TWX) training purposes. This thesis focuses on the progress made towards generating the Saber training model, its ability to meet the objectives specified by the Wargaming Center, and its ability to represent actual combat. Specifically, this thesis is directed towards characterizing, establishing a credibility assessment, and developing …

A Response Surface Methodology Study Of Ferroelectric Memory Devices, Kevin C. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Fatigue in ferroelectric memory devices was studied. The application of fatigue pulses to a ferroelectric sample was controlled by the RT-66 Ferroelectric Tester, a variation of the Sawyer-Tower circuit. The RT-66 also controlled data collection following the fatiguing process. Seven variables were evaluated for their potential- affect on fatigue. A sequence of fatigue tests, which varied the settings of these variables, was developed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) experimental designs. Least-squares regression models were developed once a particular RSM set of design experiments was completed. These models were evaluated using RSM tools, and the analysis of these models allowed the …

A Study Of The Air Force Logistics Professional Development Model, David E. Gressman

Theses and Dissertations

The personnel population in the field of logistics has two major divisions. The first, is to organizations providing logistic support for the Air Force mission and is the Operations and maintenance area. The second area is Acquisition, which supports the Air Force mission to acquire new weapon systems. Until recently, there was no clear plan for logisticians assigned in these two major divisions to enhance their educational development. This research project reviewed several logistic career enhancement programs focusing on two new programs, the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) and the Logistics Professional Development Program (LOGPDP). The APDP program has received …

Boolean Reasoning And Informed Search In The Minimization Of Logic Circuits, James J. Kainec

Theses and Dissertations

The minimization of logic circuits has been an important area of research for more than a half century. The approaches taken in this field, however, have for the most part been ad hoc. Boolean techniques have been employed to manipulate formulas, but not to perform symbolic reasoning. Boolean equations are employed principally as icons; they are never solved. The first objective of this dissertation is to apply Boolean reasoning systematically and uniformly to the minimization problem. Boolean reasoning entails the reduction of systems of Boolean equations to a single equation; the single equation is an abstraction, independent of the form …

Hardware-Verification Through Logic Extraction, Michael A. Dukes

Theses and Dissertations

A Prolog-based system is described which employs logic-extraction to perform hardware-verification. The extraction rules are built automatically from hierarchical structural VHDL models, enabling the equivalence of a structural VHDL description and a layout specification to be verified. Pin-to-pin critical- path analysis is performed within the logic-extraction process; many noncritical paths are pruned early, making pin-to-pin critical path analysis of large circuits feasible. It is demonstrated that a design methodology based on logic extraction, VHDL, and a layout tool can provide a fabricated functionally- correct IC design without circuit-level or switch-level simulation. This methodology is shown to be practical for VLSI …

Person-Centered And Dialogical Counseling: A Comparative Study., Rand Ziemke Rasmussen

Theses and Dissertations

Carl R. Rogers' Person-Centered philosophy and Martin Buber's Dialogical philosophy are often compared with one another. Some scholars conclude that they are merely variations on a theme, while others conclude that they represent two entirely separate world-views. With the advent of Dialogical counseling this debate is brought into the discipline of counseling. The purpose of this study is to continue this debate in the discipline of mental health counseling.The current study is an interpretive inquiry into the similarities and differences of Person-Centered and Dialogical counseling. Utilizing the written works of Buber and Rogers, the written work of counselors who identify …

Low-Dosage Magnetic Field Effects On Embryonic Bone Growth., Vikki Lynn Mccleary B.

Theses and Dissertations

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (EMF) and electric fields have been demonstrated to promote osteogenesis and wound healing. Pulsed EMF's have been approved since 1979 by the FDA, and are highly effective in the treatment of non-union fractures. Increased linear growth, cellular proliferation, cAMP and uptake of tritiated thymidine have been documented on short term exposure. Yet the mechanisms have been difficult to quantify. Little has been published in the literature about the effects of a magnetic fields upon bone growth. Parkinson (1985) indicated a system at rest has no magnetic force acting upon and movement due to thermal energy is small …

A Computer Based Educational Aid For The Instruction Of Combat Modeling, Richard S. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology is one of few institutions that teaches combat modeling. Combat models are typically dynamic computer simulations of specialized dynamic processes. Great difficulty exists in portraying these dynamic and recurrent processes with conventional static diagrams. This thesis produced a computer-based instructional aid which presents animated examples of processes common to combat models, demonstrates a simple few-on-few aerial combat model, and encourages student exploration and interaction with these presentations. This aid provides dynamic examples of random number generation, detection processes, target selection, and target destruction. A complete combat model demonstrating a few-on-few air duel is animated …

A Study Of The Relationship Of Maternal And Child Risk Factors To Development And Low-Income Status In Grand Forks County., Kay Elizabeth Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between maternal and child risk factors and the variables of development, low-income status, and multiple births. The sample consisted of 193 children referred to the North Dakota Early Childhood Tracking System in Grand Forks County from 1988 to mid-1991. The referral criteria were based on established, biological, and environmental risk factors. The correlation between development and risk factors was not significant. Low-income status was significantly correlated to maternal risk factors (p $<$.001), short term respiratory problems (p $<$.05), neonatal risk factors (p $<$.05), and single parenthood (p $<$.001). Multiple births were significantly correlated to neonatal risk factors (p $<$.05) and prematurity (p $<$.001).

Aberrant Mormon Settlers: The Homesteaders Of Highland, Utah, David T. Durfey

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a history of the original thirty-seven homesteaders of Highland, Utah. It covers a period of about twenty-five years, 1875-1900. The study provides an example of a aberrant community which was not established in the same, distinctive style of settlement as the typical Mormon village. In addition it describes the relationship between the original residents and non-residents of Highland with the surrounding villages of Lehi, American Fork, and Alpine.

The Geographical Landscape Of Tabernacles In The Mormon Culture Region, Crystal Wride Jenson

Theses and Dissertations

Although tabernacles do not hold the sacred meaning of Mormon temples, they are symbolic landmarks of the culture of the early Mormon Saints. Tabernacles were once an integral part of each community in which they were located. They were often the main buildings in the community, reflecting the coherent, orderly nature of a Mormon town. Today, many of the original tabernacles have been torn down and others are under the threat of destruction.

The first tabernacles built in the Mormon Culture Region were constructed in the 1850s. They were large meetinghouses built for the purpose of holding large general meetings. …

An Assessment Of Measured Learning In Selected Classes Of An Interactive Television Network In Six Northwestern Minnesota High Schools., Virginia T. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The intention of the researcher was to study the effect of interactive television (ITV) in selected high school classes, using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. The ITV network chosen for study was the Northwest Educational Technology Cooperative (NETC) operated by seven school districts in northwestern Minnesota (Argyle, Hallock, Kennedy, Stephen, Valley North (Alvarado and Oslo), and Warren). This system uses two-way interactive video and audio technology networked by fiber optics. Classes selected included Spanish I, Spanish II, and probability and statistics. Data collection was done during the fall semester, 1990.Quantitative methods compared means of scores achieved on pre-tests and …