Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparison Study On Self-Esteem Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Different Educational Placements, Kara A. Cooper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the self-esteem of students with learning disabilities who were being placed in different settings, such as inclusive classrooms, self-contained classrooms, and resource rooms. Students who were classified and eligible for special education under the category of specific learning disabilities participated in this study. Three groups of 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students with a total of 82 students were surveyed. The survey consisted of ten statements related to the students' perceptions of themselves. The surveys were administered individually to the three groups of students. …

A Study In The Effectiveness Of The Three To Get Ready Program In Promoting Language Learning, Megan Crank

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to: examine the effectiveness of a trimotoric approach using the Three to Get Ready program; to assist preschool children with disabilities to understand basic concepts and increase verbalization skills. Four students between the ages of 3 and 4 ½ years old participated in this study. They were identified as preschool disabled by school district personnel using state eligibility standards, according to the state administration code (2001). All participating children had IEP objectives in expressive language and communication. They attended a public school in Southern New Jersey and were enrolled in the class for children …

B.A.B.E.S. Implementation And Its Relationship To Locus Of Control And Self-Concept, Dana M. Collins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the administration of the B.A.B.E.S. Program and locus of control as well as awareness of self-concept of 2^nd grade students. A total of 161 students were given pre- and post-tests composed of questions geared to understand each child's locus of control and awareness of self-concept before and after the implementation of the B.A.B.E.S. Program. A paired-samples t-test was administered to determine the correlation between the pre-test scores and the post-test scores. Analysis determined that the administration of the B.A.B.E.S. Program did not internalize locus of control nor did …

The Effectiveness And Value Of A Character Education Program Administered To A Group Of Second And Third Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Adriana Germano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and value of a character education program when administered over a six-month period to a convenience sample of second and third grade students eligible for special education. The subjects for this study attend Parkview Elementary School in Stratford, New Jersey, and are a part of the resource program there. This study can help determine whether or not a character education curriculum will lead to improved decision-making in morals and ethics. The design of the program is individual to the researcher, but each of the following nine character traits are covered: …

The Relationship Between Parental Anxiety, Depression And Distress And Their Child's Social Competency, Behavior And Emotional Regulation In A Children's Partial Hospital Program, Melisa Maria Laspada

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effect female caretaker psychopathology had on their child's treatment gains in the Children's Intensive Emotional Behavioral Day Program of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The sample consisted of 31 children and 31 female caretakers. The female caretakers' symptoms of psychopathology were measured by using the SCL-90-R Checklist and the children's behaviors were measured by using the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale. The results of this study were termed important since the number of children with behavioral and emotional problems is increasing and the treatment being provided seems to be lacking. It was hoped that the study would …

Manipulation Of Microbial Metabolic Pathways For The Reduction Of Sulfide Production, Charles David Zuller

Theses and Dissertations

A bacterial additives treatment experiment was conducted to assess the microbial and biochemical changes in stored swine manure. Nitrate salt was added to a slurry of swine waste collected from a waste storage pit to identify the effects of varying levels of nitrate upon the microbial community and the resulting metabolic changes. This research was an attempt to reduce the formation of odorous sulfur-containing compounds and to increase the formation of odorless nitrogen gas by manipulating the metabolic pathways in anaerobic decomposition of the organic matter within manure. Sulfide production from swine wastewater was reduced approximately 45 percent with the …

A Cooling, Heating, And Power For Buildings (Chp-B) Instructional Module, John David Hardy

Theses and Dissertations

An emerging category of energy systems, consisting of power generation equipment coupled with thermally-activated components, has evolved as Cooling, Heating, and Power (CHP). The application of CHP systems to buildings has developed into a new paradigm ? Cooling, Heating, and Power for Buildings (CHP-B). This instructional module has been developed to introduce undergraduate engineering students to CHP-B. In the typical ME curriculum, a number of courses could contain topics related to CHP. Thermodynamics, heat transfer, thermal systems design, heat and power, alternate energy systems, and HVAC courses are appropriate for CHP topics. However, the types of material needed for this …

An Overview Of Indoor Air Quality, Raymond Reese Yontz

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is designed to introduce beginning and experienced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers to common indoor air quality (IAQ) problems and solutions. The bulk of the work is a literature review of common pollutants, pollutant sources, HVAC equipment and systems, and remediation techniques. Pollutants covered include fungi, bacteria, dust mites, viruses, biofilms, microbiological volatile organic compounds (MVOC?s), volatile organic compounds (VOC?s), carbon dioxide, ozone, and radon. The HVAC systems covered are ventilation, direct expansion (DX), desiccant dehumidification, and system filters. The remediation techniques discussed are proper hygiene and maintenance, increased ventilation, humidity control, and proper selection of …

Chemical Oxidation Enhanced Bioremediation Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contaminated Sediments, Ian Kennedy Tiang Kwong Dieng

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated the effect of chemical oxidation on the bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated sediments. Sediments were treated in sequential steps: biotreatment, chemical oxidation, and biotreatment. The first biotreatment step was initiated via addition of nutrients, microbial seeds, co-metabolites, and/or Tween 80 (surfactant). The chemical oxidation step was conducted using Fenton?s Reagent, ozonation, and peroxone (combination of ozone and hydrogen peroxide). The objective was to enhance the PAHs bioavailability via oxidation of natural organic matter and transformation of Heavy PAHs into more biodegradable compounds. Biotreatment was reestablished as a final polishing step to further degrade remaining PAHs …

Television Public Service In Philadelphia: A Thing Of The Past?, Jill Flanagan

Theses and Dissertations

The researcher carried out this study to determine if national trends in television public service have influenced decision makers in Philadelphia and to provide public relations practitioners with detailed information about local practices. Online and library searches were conducted to secure information about television public service. In addition, the author interviewed communication experts, surveyed staff at six local channels and reviewed station materials.

The author found that Philadelphia's television stations continue to provide free airtime to charities along with traditional public service campaigns. However, research shows that paid PSA campaigns and third-party advertising agreements have grown in popularity. Public relations …

Incorporating Fault-Tolerant Features Into Message-Passing Middleware, Rajanikanth Reddy Batchu

Theses and Dissertations

The popularity of MPI-based middleware and applications has led to their wide deployment. Such systems, however, are not inherently reliable and cannot tolerate external faults. This thesis presents a novel model-based approach for exploiting application features and other characteristics to categorize and create AEMs (Application Execution Model). This work realizes MPI/FT(tm), a middleware derived by selective incorporation of fault-tolerant features into MPI/Pro(tm) for two relevant AEMs. This thesis proves the following hypothesis: it is possible to successfully complete select MPI applications even in the presence of external faults, and such fault-tolerance can be achieved with acceptable performance overhead. This work …

Integration Of Chemical Oxidation And Biotreatment For Removal Of Tnt From Explosives Contaminated Soil, Fangzhu Liu

Theses and Dissertations

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is of environmental concern because it?s a possible human carcinogen and it also remains potentially explosive. The Department of the Army (DA) estimates that there are 540,000 cubic meters (700,000 cubic yards) of explosives-contaminated soil at over 2,000 sites that require remediation. Biological treatment of TNT results in the production of the reduced intermediates (such as aminonitrotoluenes). When using chemical oxidation processes to treat TNT, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) is produced. The by-products of both biological and oxidation treatment processes are resistant to further treatment thus they require extensive treatment times. This study evaluated the use of biotic mechanisms that …

The Evaluation Of Chemical Reaction Dynamics Within Swine-Raising Facility: Implications To Odor Evolution And Assessment Of Abatement Strategies, Andrew Joseph Wynn

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the chemodynamics of the underdrains found at swine- raising facilities. The maintenance of aerobic conditions and introduction of aerobic bacteria to expedite the treatment process and control odor formation were investigated. A pilot-scale system that mimicked an industrial swine-raising facility was used in this study. Aeration and aeration with bacterial seed additions were evaluated against a standard pit recharge system, which served as the control. The effectiveness was measured using water quality testing, odor assessments by a human sensory panel, and air phase measurements of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. The results indicated that both aeration and aeration …

The Simulation System For Propagation Of Fire And Smoke, Dmitry N. Shulga

Theses and Dissertations

This work presents a solution for a real-time fire suppression control system. It also serves as a support tool that allows creation of virtual ship models and testing them against a range of representative fire scenarios. Model testing includes generating predictions faster than real time, using the simulation network model developed by Hughes Associates, Inc., their visualization, as well as interactive modification of the model settings through the user interface. In the example, the ship geometry represents ex-USS Shadwell, test area 688, imitating a submarine. Applying the designed visualization techniques to the example model revealed the ability of the system …

Weather's Influence On The Phenological Period Length And Yield Of Mississippi Soybeans, Sarah Kathleen Mcatee

Theses and Dissertations

The climate of Mississippi has been considered to be ideally suited for the production of soybeans. Many studies have shown the influence of weather on crops, but none that specifically attempt to pinpoint which aspects of weather have an impact on the Mississippi soybean crop. The purpose of this study was to determine what affect weather has on the phenological period length and yield of Mississippi soybeans. Data on bean phenological periods and yield used in this research were recorded as a part of soybean variety testing conducted at Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, Mississippi from 1976-2000. The …

A Study Of The Effectiveness Of Saxon Phonics On Phonemic Awareness, Dawnmarie Bach

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a structured, systematic phonics program such as the Saxon Phonics 1 program in improving the phonemic awareness of first grade students. The effectiveness of this program was measured by a pre and post assessment using The Test of Phonological Awareness (TOPA).

The subjects for this study consisted of two groups of first grade students (ages six and seven). Group one consisted of twelve students: seven girls and five boys. Group two consisted of nine students: six girls and three boys. Teachers that are experienced in the use of the …

A Library Use Study Of Deptford High School Seniors' English Paper Resources, Anne Denning

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the resources used by high school students enrolled in honors, college preparatory, and general English courses in the completion of their research papers. This applied research study was conducted with the use of a written questionnaire, which was administered to Deptford High School seniors of all academic levels in their English classes. The population and sample of this study were one and the same, 213 Deptford High School senior English students. All seniors attending English class on the day the survey was administered comprised the sample. No attempt was made …

A Study Of Adult Patron Library Use And Satisfaction With The Federal Street Branch Of The Camden City Free Public Library, Aaron L. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine how adult patrons were using the Federal Street branch of the Camden City Free Public Library. Additionally, the study measured patron satisfaction with the current level of service that the library was providing. One hundred and three responses were collected over an eight week period. Patrons were asked to evaluate twelve services based on present level of service and importance. From these responses the researcher was able to calculate satisfaction. The services were divided into three service areas: Information Services, Print and Electronic Resources and Library Services. Results of the survey showed …

Public School Counselors' Attitudes To Suicide/Suicide Intervention, Robert S. Felloney

Theses and Dissertations

Most of the research on suicide/suicide intervention has focused upon client characteristics and attitudes. Little research, especially in the school setting, has been done on counselor characteristics and attitudes as key variables in these situations. This study was done, at least partially, to help overcome the lack of research in this critical area. This study involved fifteen school counselors (school psychologists and school social workers) who were selected nonrandomly. Based upon interviews, a key finding was that school counselors who prioritize the role of suicide intervention and were more comfortable in doing this, perceived themselves as being more successful in …

The Effects Of Self-Management And Positive Reinforcement On The Off-Task Behavior Of Students With Adhd, Cari Mcgaffney Bonner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of self-management strategies together with positive reinforcement to reduce the off-task behavior of children with ADHD. Three first and second grade students with ADHD and classified with a disability attending an elementary school participated in the study. Students were taught to self-monitor their behaviors in their special education classroom. They were trained to record their behaviors by completing a self-management form that consisted of 7 items at the end of each school day. Three off-task behaviors: out-of-seat, calling out and interrupting instruction were observed. The decrease of the student target …

A Preliminary Analysis: Children Aged Birth To Two With Asd And The Early Intervention Methodologies Of Aba, Pecs, And Floor-Time, Erin L. Boyle

Theses and Dissertations

The archival data regarding 20 children who received early intervention services from a child development center in southern New Jersey were reviewed. Each child in the study was aged 0 to 2 years, had a disorder of the autistic spectrum, and was provided treatment in the form of ABA, PECS, floor-time, or a combination of interventions. Because research on ASD and its treatment has not yet focused on children under the age of 3, the purpose of this study was to investigate which methodology of intervention is most feasible for such young children. Additional aims of the study were to …

A Link Between Handedness, Gender, Socioeconomics, Race, And Parental Involvement And Learning Disabilities, Heather Reiss

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if there was a link between handedness, gender, socioeconomics, race, and parental involvement and learning disabilities. The records from a local school where reviewed and compared to the national records. When comparing the local and national records, the school was found to be close in percentage for gender and handedness. The school, however; had a much higher percentage for African Americans and a much higher percentage for free and reduced lunch services than did the national records.

Personality Differences In Terms Of Temperament Between Teachers Of Regular Education Students And Teachers Of Developmentally Disabled Students, Melissa Masella

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the components of human personality in terms of temperament that are similar and different between individuals who teach regular education students and individuals who teach special education, specifically in the area of developmental disabilities. This study examined the temperament of these two types of teachers by using the Keirsey Temperament Sorter II which is a self-report questionnaire that places individuals into one of four temperament groups: Guardianas, Artisans, Idealists, or Rationals. The sample consisted of 53 teachers, 37 females and 16 males, coming from either a Catholic High School or a private …

A Study Of Ten Sadist Women For Signs Of Specific Patterns Throughout The School Years, Orlando Bru

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover whether there was a specific pattern apparent in the school years of lifestyle sadist women that caused them to become sadists. The results showed no specific pattern that would lead one to believe there was a cause but some irregular percentages did appear, such as in high percentages of abuse and not fitting in with fellow students in school. Eighty percent of the participants involved reported their sadist interest being inborn however, of which more than half were abused after they already knew they were sadists. These results are discussed along with …

Socioeconomics, Self-Esteem And Locus Of Control In Third Grade Students, Kathryn S. Gipe

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between third grade students' socioeconomic status and their corresponding levels of self-esteem and locus of control. Students who received free or reduced lunch were determined as lower socioeconomic status as compared to those who paid full price for their lunch. Five third grade classes were chosen in a suburban area of Philadelphia. One hundred children were used for the study. Seventy-two children were recipients of free or reduced lunch and twenty-eight paid full price for their lunches. The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory was given as a measure of self-esteem and the …

An Investigation Of The Effects Grade Retention Has On Students' Academic Performance, Tyree Gunter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to examine if grade retention has a positive effect on a child's academic performance, and if females, whether retained or not, improved more academically than males. Language/literacy and mathematics cumulative grades of 58 students in the second and third grade were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The results indicated that students who were retained improved more in academic performance than students who were low-achievers but promoted instead and those placed in a transition class. In addition the findings showed that males, whether retained or not, had higher mathematical scores than females, but there was …

The Impact Of A Residential Substance Abuse Treatment For Women, Loretta Lemon

Theses and Dissertations

During the early development of the twelve-step program, it was an effort to help middle class older white males that abuse alcohol. Since the 1930's the twelve-steps have been used to treat women and men from all different backgrounds that have experimented with a variety of drugs. The purposes of this research were to evaluate the effectiveness of a twelve-step program using the scores from each woman's Symptom Checklist-90-R and to review current literature on twelve-step programs and their effectiveness with the female populations.

The Symptom Checklist-90-R was designed to help screen for a range of psychological problems and symptoms …

Bullying And Self-Esteem, Julie Boyle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to investigate the relationship between the amount of bullying a victim endures and levels of self-esteem of those victims. The sample was made up of of 124 students, 68 male and 56 female, attending a large middle school in a middle-class neighborhood in Southern New Jersey. All of the students were seventh (n= 52) and eighth (n= 72) graders enrolled in a Life Skills class in which issues regarding bullying were discussed. The Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire was used to assess bullying activity at the school and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to …

Relationship Of Family Involvement And Functioning Among Mentally Ill Adults, Sharon A. Sabatino

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of the present study were to find a relationship between family/caregiver involvement in treatment of mentally ill adults that they care for and clients' overall Axis IV and V assessments. Support and education groups were held at Family Service in New Jersey over a six-month period. The population (n=12) came from the Hattie Tallie program at Family Service. These clients and their family members/social supports and caregivers attended meetings for six months to gain education and to support each other in dealing with clients' treatment. Global Assessment of Functioning scores (Axis V) and Severity of stressors (Axis IV) …

What Motivates College Students To Volunteer? Using The Volunteer Functions Inventory., Jennifer Giorgio

Theses and Dissertations

This study intended to look at what motivates college students to participate in volunteer work. The Volunteer Functions Inventory was used to have students rate their beliefs about what would influence them to volunteer. A sample of 184 subjects (67 male & 115 female, two participants did not disclose their gender) were obtained from Rowan University's student body and each were given the Volunteer Functions Inventory. One hypothesis was tested using an Analysis of Variance. Results found that the value motivation was the dominant motivation to volunteer among students who volunteer and non-volunteers. It was determined that the volunteer variable …