Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Effects Of A Self-Esteem Program On African American Girls, Andrea Alston-Brundage

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the self-concept of African American girls, ages 10-15 and to implement the Zola Circle program in an attempt to enhance their self-esteem.

Two groups of girls attended the Zola Circle workshops. Both groups attended the workshops for five weeks. The girls were given the Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory Test before attending the workshop and at the conclusion of the workshop. A follow-up test was given to group one five weeks after the completion of the workshop.

The Analysis of Variance test (ANOVA) was computed to assess pretest differences between the two groups participating. …

Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Of Inas/Gainsb Quantum Well Lasers, Michael R. Mckay

Theses and Dissertations

In the world of semiconductor photonic device fabrication, one important objective may be to extract as much light as possible from the device. In these devices, photons are created when electrons recombine with holes by transitioning from a high-energy state to a lower one. Unfortunately, electron-hole recombination does not always result in the formation of a photon. There are three basic types of recombination: the first results in the formation of a photon and is called radiative recombination; and the second and third, known as Shockley-Read-Hall and Auger recombination, result in the heating of the device and do not produce …

Webbing Egypt: An Ethnographic Insight Into Levels Of Imagination Surrounding The Production Of Web Sites, Ivan Panovic

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an ethnographic description of practices of the producers of Egypt-based and Egypt-related websites.

Single-Sided Noninvasive Inspection Of Multielement Sample Using Fan-Beam Multiplexed Compton Scatter Tomography, Matthew A. Lange

Theses and Dissertations

As aircraft age, corrosion forms upon unobservable surfaces, particularly at the junction of the sheet aluminum and the steel rivets used to attach the sheets to the airframe, degrading the aircraft s airworthiness. Previous research developed a noninvasive technique for the evaluation of the material composition of aluminum surfaces, utilizing the information encoded in the energy spectra of Compton-scattered gamma emissions. The spectra are gathered by a six-element, high purity germanium detector array. A, first principles, deterministic computer code is used to reconstruct a two-dimensional map of the electron density of aluminum samples. Previous efforts, to image pure aluminum samples, …

Professional Development Workshop: "Infusing Technology Into The Language Arts Curriculum" – Gateway To The 21st Century, Joy D. Carey

Theses and Dissertations

This technology action research project provided teachers with the opportunity to learn how to navigate the Internet and to enhance the Language Arts curriculum. This project was conducted in a Camden, NJ elementary, urban, Abbott school setting. This sample population was chosen from responses to a cross-sectional self-report pre-workshop interest questionnaire. Thirty-six staff members agreed to participate in the training sessions. The intern scored the results of the Likert surveys using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint computer software. Seventy percent of the respondents to the pre-workshop interest questionnaire indicated they had inadequate knowledge of the Internet.

The post-workshop Likert questionnaire results …

The Implications Of The Financial Services Modernization Act On Life Insurance Industry Communications, Michael A. Weinberg

Theses and Dissertations

This study's purpose was to assess the effects of legislation known as The Financial Services Modernization Act on life insurance industry communicators. The November, 1999 legislation effectively broke down the barriers separating the major financial services industries in the U.S. - life insurance, banking, and securities.

An email survey of a random sample of the Life Communicators Association (LCA) U.S. membership was conducted. The LCA is a professional organization of marketing communications, advertising, and public relations professionals working for life insurance and other financial services firms. 242 surveys were emailed.

The results indicated that most of the LCA members were …

Rutgers Camden Center For The Arts Audience Study, Meridith Auerbach

Theses and Dissertations

The Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts strives to serve the regional community with diverse types of programming and to promote a love for the performing arts. The center wants to program events people are interested in attending. Audience likes and dislikes need to be studied and considered when choosing events for a season. The audience's opinion is important because they bring in revenue and therefore play a key role in the success of a theater.

There are factors that may persuade people to attend programs at the Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts. Likewise, audiences may have negative perceptions …

Development Of A Course Of Study For An Undergraduate Course In Global Communication, Kim Lynn Mullikin

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studies the components of successful undergraduate global communication courses. The thesis examines curriculum of American and European colleges and universities' global communication courses and programs. The author analyzed syllabi and course textbooks and surveyed Rowan University College of Communication staff members to develop a course of study for an undergraduate course in global communication.

The study determined that the top 10 topics to be included in a global communication course are: culture, globalization, politics, adaptation, race, television and film, business, conflict and culture shock.

Culture and globalization were covered in more than 50% of the syllabi studied. Adaptation, …

Branding For Nonprofit Organizations, Shannon Cogan

Theses and Dissertations

In the world, 546,000 nonprofit organizations all compete for the same thing: time and money. With the ease of Internet philanthropic giving, traditional nonprofit organizations must change with the times or be left in the wake. In an age of constant message bombardment, nonprofits must continually reinvent themselves to avoid getting lost in the crowd. Today, many nonprofits have found branding is the answer.

To determine the importance of nonprofit branding, the author reviewed all available literature and interviewed a senior-level manager at United Way of America. In addition, the author performed a literature review of all materials obtained from …

Iasc: A Structure To Achieve A Unified Global Accounting System, Mike Waite

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this paper is to analyze the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) and the structure it has in place to develop a unified global accounting system. A unified global system implies a single accounting system that is implemented around the world creating readily comparable and accurate accounting information for the global community. The extent to which a single system is all encompassing is an important factor in this analysis because the levels of support for various international accounting systems are likely to vary according to the level of harmonization sought. For example, a proposal to require a certain …

Alveolar Ridge Dimension Analysis Following Socket Preservation Using Clinical Assessment And Cone Beam Computed Tomography (Cbct)., Sayward Duggan

Theses and Dissertations

AIM: Extraction of a tooth can lead to alveolar ridge resorption which can be minimized by socket preservation. The aim of this study is to analyze vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge dimensions clinically and by CBCT immediately following extraction and 3-4 months following socket preservation. METHODS: The preserved group (P) consisted of 20 patients with1-2 non-molar teeth requiring extraction with socket preservation, while the control group (C) consisted of 5 patients requiring extraction alone. An acrylic stent was fabricated presurgically in order to measure vertical and horizontal ridge dimensions clinically and radiographically immediately following extraction and 3-4 months following socket …

Characterization Of Fatigue Crack Propagation In Aa 7075-T651, Robert Blandford

Theses and Dissertations

To better design structures and machines, understanding of flaws and failures is essential. The body of this work has addressed numerous facets of fatigue crack propagation. The affect of crack closure, testing errors, and data scatter are a few important components of crack growth developed and investigated. It was found that the widely accepted compliance-offset technique for closure measurement may be sensitive to increases in load ratio. Opening load uncertainty was calculated to be on the order of 5%. The application of practical regression techniques and the use of DKeff were used to characterize closureree crack growth data to develop …

A Numerical Study Of The Conjugate Conduction-Convection Heat Transfer Problem, Robert Samuel Webster

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates some of the basic aspects of conjugate, or coupled, heat transfer problems. The ultimate interest is in the improvement of an existing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code by the inclusion of such a coupling capability. Many CFD codes in the past have treated the thermal boundary conditions of a bounding solid as the simple cases of either a surface across which there is no heat flux, or as a surface along which the temperature is a constant with respect to both space and time. These conditions are acceptable for some applications, but many real-world problems require a …

Boiling Heat Transfer In Horizontal Micro-Fin Tubes, Soon Seng Tang

Theses and Dissertations

Two existing evaporation two-phase heat transfer models are validated using 526 experimental data points for pure refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures. The Kido et al. (1995) model fails to predict pure refrigerant data sets except their R22 experimental data set. The Cavallini et al. (1999) model successfully predicts the available R22 data sets; however, the model over-predicts the R12 and the R134a data sets. In addition, the Cavallini et al. (1999) mixture model fails to predict the available 155 refrigerant mixture data points. The proposed modified model, based on the Cavallini et al. (1999) model, successfully predicts the experimental data for …

Overlapping Of Communication And Computation And Early Binding: Fundamental Mechanisms For Improving Parallel Performance On Clusters Of Workstations, Rossen Petkov Dimitrov

Theses and Dissertations

This study considers software techniques for improving performance on clusters of workstations and approaches for designing message-passing middleware that facilitate scalable, parallel processing. Early binding and overlapping of communication and computation are identified as fundamental approaches for improving parallel performance and scalability on clusters. Currently, cluster computers using the Message-Passing Interface for interprocess communication are the predominant choice for building high-performance computing facilities, which makes the findings of this work relevant to a wide audience from the areas of high-performance computing and parallel processing. The performance-enhancing techniques studied in this work are presently underutilized in practice because of the lack …

Microbiotic Assessment Of An Upflow Anaerobic/Aerobic Swine Treatment Process, Robert Earl Mcclain

Theses and Dissertations

Confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) relating to swine and their resulting odors continues to be an issue of concern. The primary sources of odors from a CAFO include general ventilation of the confinement house, the anaerobic lagoon, and the land application of lagoon sludge. This paper focuses on lagoon wastewaters, but the results therein could have influence on the other two aforementioned areas. An advanced upflow anaerobic/aerobic reactor system was developed to determine its impact on microbial activities that ultimately result in offensive odors. The microbial activity of SRB (sulfate-reducing bacteria) and hydrogen-sulfide production was monitored closely in each ?zone?, …

Application Of Remote Sensing For The Prediction, Monitoring, And Assessment Of Hazards And Disasters That Impact Transportation, Tai-Chi Wu

Theses and Dissertations

Although remote sensing has been used in predicting, monitoring, and assessing hazards and disasters for over 50 years, its use in the transportation domain is still in its infancy. This study was conducted to identify the research needs involving the use of remote sensing for such applications within the transportation domain. The first step taken was to determine the current state of remote sensing applications in the transportation domain associated with the prediction, monitor, and assessment of hazards and disasters. The second step was to identify the impacts that such events may cause and the information needed to prevent or …

An Investigation Of Flux-Splitting Algorithms For Chemically Reacting Flows, Rajasekhar Venkata Darapuram

Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents an investigation of seven different flux splitting algorithms for the discretization of inviscid fluxes, which are the primary source for the non-linear behavior (eg. shocks, contact discontinuities). The aim of the present work is to enhance the accuracy and robustness of CHEM, a three-dimensional flow solver, which is capable of simulating a wide range of flow conditions, including chemical non-equilibrium. Five different test cases cases are considered and thoroughly analyzed. The overall goal is to find a numerical scheme that can meet some stringent specifications of efficiency, accuracy and robustness on the widest possible spectrum of flow …

A Process For Hydrogenation Of Silicon Carbide Crystals, Yeswanth Lakshman Rao

Theses and Dissertations

Doping control is the most important technology for any semiconductor system. In spite of significant progress in the doping of SiC, advancements are needed in the growth techniques and dopant incorporation. During processes such as Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD), hydrogen is known to be trapped at defects or impurities and to alter the electrical properties of the material. This effect is known as ?hydrogen passivation?. In addition to the observed hydrogen passivation of shallow impurities in SiC crystals, it is important to know whether, and how, hydrogen present in the epi ? reactor can passivate doping impurities during growth of …

Development Of The Williams Work Estimator (W2e): A Tool For Determining The Most Effective Match Between Worker Capabilities And Job Task Requirements, Sabrina Natasha Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Demographics indicate that the United States and many other industrialized nations are currently experiencing what is called the ¡°graying¡± of the workforce (Hayslip & Panek, 1993). Today the majority of the workers in many companies are in the age groups of 40-44 and 45-49 years. However, by the year 2010, the largest proportion of workers will probably be in the age groups of 55-59 and 60-64 years (Ilmarinen, 1995). Thus, a growing concern of employers in the near future will be the assignment of older workers to specific job tasks and responsibilities (Williams & Crumpton, 1996) as well as other …

Effects Of Pressurization On Aluminum 319 And A356.2 Alloy Castings, Sharolyn Gales

Theses and Dissertations

Castings made of aluminum 319 and A356.2 alloy were examined to determine the effectiveness of using pressure application during solidification to reduce porosity levels. Pyknometry was the method chosen to measure porosity. It was determined that the porosity of castings poured in both alloys was reduced in some instances. During the study, the surfaces of these castings were also examined and some were found to have defects present. After the porosity was evaluated, specimens of castings poured in both alloys were tested to determine whether or not the surface intrusions affected the castings. The defects were found to reduce the …

Human Thermal Comfort, Kien Khanh Huynh

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to investigate human comfort criteria under steady-state conditions as a function of ambient air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, level of activity, and clothing insulation. Since the current ASHRAE Standard 55-1994 is for sedentary activity, this study will consider relative humidity (20% to 65%), dry bulb temperature (73 oF to 82 oF), air velocity (30 fpm and 50 fpm), and sedentary-to-moderate activity. The mean radiant temperature will be taken to be the same as the ambient air temperature. The experimental results collected at the Kansas State University Environmental Test Chamber are …

Watershed Based Analysis For Water Quality Management Within The Escatawpa River System, Gerrod Wayne Kilpatrick

Theses and Dissertations

Assessment of water quality within the Escatawpa River system was accomplished utilizing the Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS 2.0) to develop the watershed model, and the CE-QUAL-W2 software to develop the estuary model. The watershed model was utilized to quantify both hydrodynamic and water quality (fecal coliforms) characteristics of the watershed for a simulation period spanning from 1990 through 1999. Herein, calibration and application results are presented for watershed and estuary simulations made in an uncoupled manner. The models were developed such that loose coupling of watershed and estuary models can be accomplished as a subsequent …

Watershed, Hydrodynamic, And Water Quality Models For Total Maximum Daily Load St. Louis Bay Watershed Mississippi, Noor Baharim Hashim

Theses and Dissertations

In the development of the watershed, hydrodynamic, and water quality models for St. Louis Bay in Mississippi, the Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS 2.0) - Nonpoint Source Model (NPSM) was selected as the watershed model and the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) which includes hydrodynamic and water quality models was selected as the Bay model. Watershed model calibration was initially accomplished utilizing historical data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL). The watershed model simulated nonpoint source flow and …

Assessing And Evaluating Students' Perception Of Cooperative Learning Teams At South Main Street School, Andrea Atkins

Theses and Dissertations

The intern conducted an action research project to evaluate the perceptions of fourth graders relative to working in cooperative learning teams in their reading classes. The target population were 38 fourth graders from South Main Street School who are presently involved in Success For All, a cooperative learning program. The intern wanted to determine whether the target students perceived the cooperative learning experience as being positive or negative, and whether this perception impacted on their learning. The intern utilized the survey as the major instrument for data collection. The students were interviewed as well. The intern utilized mean scores to …

Mentoring As A Method For Increasing The Graduation Rate Of "At Risk" Students, Thomas Anthony Lombardo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to improve high school graduation rates for "at-risk" students by providing every "at-risk" 7th, 8th, and 9th grade student a mentor. By matching students who have been identified as "at-risk" of failing to graduate with an adult mentor from within Woodbury High School, this intern hypothesized that the students' grades would improve and that they would begin to feel as though they were an important part of the school community.

This study attempted to measure the overall effectiveness of the mentoring program by examining Math and Language Arts grades of the mentees prior to …

School-Family-Community Partnership, Cynthia E. Kates

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of the school, family members, and local community agencies and organizations concerning the development of a school-family-community partnership. The project centered on a needs assessment for the West Avenue School in reference to parental and community involvement. The views of 15 teachers, 79 parents, and 3 community agencies were studied through questionnaires. Teachers expressed a desire for more parental involvement in their child's education, but would like no interference in the area of classroom management. Parents expressed an interest in taking a more active role in the overall …

Linking Parents, Community And School, Migdalia Soto

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop ways to build and create partnerships between parents, community and School by providing a variety of opportunities for parent-community participation. These partnerships will be fostered through the use of effective communication methods, such as coffee club sessions, focus group discussions, and school newsletters.

This action research was conducted via qualitative and quantitative methods to gather and analyze data. The participants for the study were the parents of the children at Parkside school, community members, and the faculty. A pre- and post-survey were sent to a randomly selected group of parents of students …

Designing, Implementing And Assessing A Financial Education Curriculum In The Juvenile Justice Commission, Kathleen Kelley Michalowski

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the project is to determine the effectiveness of a financial education curriculum on the understanding and application of financial resources to begin a financial plan for the future. This study will provide insight into the current financial practices and beliefs of incarcerated youth in the State of New Jersey and the impact the financial education curriculum has on the reliance of State aid and welfare.

The data was collected through a pen and pencil survey, informal interviews and record abstraction. The sample was derived from five New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission programs and institutions. The sample was …

A Case Study: New Teacher Induction, Keith B. Patterson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine in what areas new teachers were deficient using a case study action research approach. The study will result in recommendations to the administration of Pennsauken Public Schools for a redesign of the new teacher-training academy and for the development of a mentor-training academy. Nine new teachers ranging in one to four years of experience were studied using a variety of instruments designed to answer three research questions. (1) What training do new teachers need in classroom management techniques? (2) What training do new teachers need in lesson planning and instructional strategies? (3) …