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Making Sense Of Animal Pain: An Environmental Theodicy, L. Stafford Betty

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Topics In Nonlinear Stochastic Control, Estimation, And Decision, Using A Measure Transformation Approach, Charalambos Demetriou Charalambous

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

We discuss topics in the theory of nonlinear stochastic control, estimation, and decision via a probabilistic approach using measure transformations and martingale theory. First, we investigate the problem of estimating a diffusion process using coordinate transformations and measure transformations, both locally and globally; this is the analog of nonlinear coordinate and state feedback transformations used to obtain exact linearization in nonlinear deterministic control problems. Our results are new in that we use a probabilistic approach rather than a purely geometric one, and also in that we derive representations when the processes are defined locally rather than just globally. A gauge …

William P. Alston, Divine Nature And Human Language: Essays In Philospohical Theology, Richard Swinburne

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Diapycnal Mixing And Mass Transfer In Western Boundary Currents, Jose Luis Pelegri Llopart

OES Theses and Dissertations

The distribution of nutrient flux in five sections across the Gulf Stream (from the Florida Straits of 35°W) is characterized by an intense core, centered at the depth of the 26.8 σ_t isopycnal surface. This 'Nutrient Stream' transports nutrients of O(10³ kmol s^-1} of nitrate and proportional amounts of other nutrients. Water mass and nutrient balances of nine isopycnal layers reveal significant diapycnal mixing between upper-thermocline and surface waters in the sector of the Stream between the Florida Straits and the Mid-Atlantic Bight. A two-box model of the nutrient-depleted surface layers (σ_t < 26.8) and the nutrient-rich thermocline layers (26.8< σ_t < 27.5) shows upward one-way transfer and two-way exchange, both at a a rate at about 1.m²s …

A Paleoenvironmental Analysis Based On Ostracode Assemblages From The Late Pliocene Tuapaktushak And Middle Pleistocene Karmuk Members Of The Gubik Formation Of The Arctic Coastal Plain, Western Alaska, D. E. Loehrke

OES Theses and Dissertations

This study records and analyzes ostracode assemblages recovered from sediments assigned to the Late Pliocene Tuapaktushak and Middle Pleistocene Karmuk members of the Gubik Formation in the Skull Cliff area of the Arctic Coastal Plain in western Alaska. Forty-three species were identified from 47 samples (25 from the Tuapaktushak Member and 23 from the Karmuk Member). Samples were grouped by Q-mode cluster analysis and by member assignment for the purpose of analysis.

Paleoenvironmental analyses of ostracode assemblages representative of each cluster suggest all samples, regardless of cluster membership, were deposited in similar marine environments where water depths were in the …

Approaches To Control Of The Large Angle Magnetic Suspension Test Fixture, Mehran Ghofrani

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Large Angle Magnetic Suspension Test Fixture is a five degree-of-freedom system, developed and built at NASA Langley Research Center. It is intended for study of control techniques in magnetic suspension systems with large angular capabilities. In this study, steps have been taken to prove the system in practice, using the existing hardware. A classical control approach, using dual phase advance compensators, is applied in simulation and hardware. A single decoupled degree-of-freedom of the system is stabilized and controlled in simulation. The procedure is then employed for all five degrees-of-freedom. The design and implementation of an analog and a digital …

The Relationships Between Metacognitive Strategies And Learning Outcomes In An Adult Basic Skills Program, Bert Huggins

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

This study tested metacognitive strategies accounted for variance in learning acquisition and retention in an adult basic skills population. The study employed the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) to measure metacognitive strategy use, a standardized, individually-accessed basic skills curriculum, and a valid basic skills performance measurement.

The study population was young adult soldiers stationed in South Carolina, California and Hawaii. Sites selection assured uniformity in testing procedures, curriculum and delivery. Multiple sites assured a variety of soldier career fields for purposes of generalization.

Performance measurements were taken at the beginning of instruction, at the end of instruction and a …

Plan, Monitoring 101 Shell Mine, 1992, Haynes Williams

Audubon Society Okeechobee-Kissimmee and Chandler Warden - Records

Document outlining the monitoring plan for 101 Shell Mine, including well locations, construction, implementation, personnel, and an information distribution list.

Distributed Ray Casting For High-Speed Volume Rendering, Patricia L. Brightbill

Theses and Dissertations

The volume rendering technique known as ray casting or ray tracing is notoriously slow for large volume sizes, yet provides superior images. A technique is needed to accelerate ray tracing volumes without depending on special purpose or parallel computers. The realization and improvements in distributed computing over the past two decades has motivated its use in this work. This thesis explores a technique to speedup ray casting by distributed programming. The work investigates the possibility of dividing the volume among general purpose workstations and casting rays (using Levoy's front-to-back algorithm) through each subvolume independently. The final step being the composition …

An Investigation Of The Responsibilities Of Secondary Principals Serving Shared And Nonshared Superintendents, Dale E. Greimann

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In 1981-82, two school districts in the state of Iowa shared one superintendent; in 1985-86, 10 districts shared five superintendents; by 1991-92, 116 school districts reported sharing 58 superintendents. Studies on the shared superintendency suggested that role overload accompanied the position and that superintendents reacted to the increased workload by delegating responsibilities, often to building principals. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if there were significant differences in the perceived responsibilities of Iowa secondary principals serving shared superintendents and Iowa secondary principals serving nonshared superintendents. In addition, the study determined if significant relationships existed between Iowa and …

Increasing Nurturing Relationships Between Primary Caregivers And Infants Prenatally Exposed To Cocaine Through A Neighbor Implemented Individual And Group Training Model, Michael P. Ferrentino

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to increase nurturing relationships between primary caregivers and infants prenatally exposed to cocaine. Goals were to increase the general emotional well-being of the caregivers within the family unit, to increase the interpersonal competence of the caregivers’ use of formal social support systems availed to them.

Through individual and group training sessions, ten caregivers were actively involved in monthly home and group meetings. The solution strategy was designed to include parent educators who guided caregivers through pertinent stress relieving coping skills derived from strategies and techniques of appropriate parent training during the 1-hour monthly home visitations. The …

An Intervention Plan To Improve The Attrition Rate Of Returning Dropouts, Mark Soffian

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes a comprehensive approach designed to decrease the dropout rate of returning students who had previously left school. The school is a predominately black, inner-city senior high school located in the municipality of Dade County, Florida. The dropout problem was observed from previous years of high dropout rates as compared to other senior high schools in the county. Simultaneously, this school experienced consecutive years of low graduation rates, low attendance rates, high retention rates, and low standardized test scores. It was further concluded, from the 1989-90 data, that the students who returned to school, after initially dropping out, …

Program To Decrease Obesity Of Mentally Retarded Adults, Joye Jeffries Pugh

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report explains a program for decreasing obesity of mentally retarded adults served by a mental retardation service center in a southern rural community. Problems originally noticed included enormous body weights of clients, obesity-related diseases, a lack of exercise programming, and failure to participate in Special Olympics.

An analysis of the clients' Individual Physical Data Bases revealed body weights 20X or more over the average for a person's age, build, sex, and height. According to the client medical reports, 50% of the obese clients suffered from medical disorders created by their obesity. A review of the Individual Service Plans indicated …

Using An Integrated Science-Basal Whole Language Approach To Increase Science Experiences In First Grade, Carol K. Criste

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to increase science experiences in a first grade classroom through the integration of the science textbook with the basal reading series. Four general objectives designed to achieve this goal were:(1) to increase knowledge of science concepts through daily hands-on experiences and through basal reader stories; (2) to enhance a greater desire for knowledge in the area of scientific thinking by the students: (3) to provide to the students a relaxed, happy environment for learning; (4) to maintain a consistent, orderly curriculum structure that will benefit colleagues.

The writer developed a checklist for the evaluation of science …

Improving School-Community Relations Through A Comprehensive Parent Involvement Program, Rodney R. Lafon

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This report describes a program for improving school community relations through a comprehensive parent- Involvement effort In an elementary school. Issues requiring attention, such as concerns for the school's image, lack of parent-involvement, and lack of parent satisfaction were noted In Individual Interviews with administrators, teachers, classified employees, and parents. These Issues were substantiated by the data gathered on PTA membership, the parent-volunteer program, and low parent attendance at special school functions.

Research findings supported an Intervention strategy that involved five major types of parent-involvement described as: (1) Basic Obligations of Parents; (2) Basic Obligations of the School; (3) Parent-Involvement …

Development And Implementation Of A Grade Level Specific Computer Literacy Curriculum Through Teacher Inservice In An Elementary School, Marsha L. Burmeister

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem addressed by the practicum was that the computer literacy of teachers and students varied from grade to grade and classroom to classroom, as did the amount of use of the computer. The goal of the practicum was that the teachers at the writer's school would improve their knowledge and skills as well as to use the computer for professional and personal purposes.

The writer developed a computer literacy curriculum for grades K through 5; each level specifies vocabulary, knowledge, and skills. Individual teacher inservices were held to enhance teacher computer literacy and to generate a project of the …

Developing Resources To Assist Families As Their Infants With Disabilities Transition Into Preschool, Claudia B. Fenderson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

There is a lack of adequate information and support given to families during the transitioning of their children from infant to preschool programs. During this transition period, information and assistance are given to families on an inconsistent basis This practicum was designed to provide assistance to famil.es involved in the transition process.

Meetings and questionnaires were used as a means of assessing parent's needs. Based on responses, an Inservice was held in which information requested by parents was provided. A new policy was developed for use by social workers: this policy was designed to ensure that families received consistent, ongoing …

A Counseling Intervention Program For Seventh And Eighth Grade Special Needs Students To Increase On-Task Behavior In The Classroom, Joanne D. Curzie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed primarily to increase the on-task behavior of the seventh and eighth grade special needs students in the classroom. Counseling intervention strategies were implemented to help the students learn self-management, motivational, decision-making and social skills. The teachers, principal and parents worked together in helping to facilitate the student's behavior change.

The writer developed a student interview, a student behavior questionnaire, a student self-monitoring report and a teacher observation check-list.

The counseling intervention program results were positive. Analysis of the data indicated that ten of the twenty student participants increased their time-on-task in the classroom; ten of the …

Improving The Writing Skills For Third, Fourth, And Fifth Grade Gifted Students Through The Use Of Development Processes, Mary Helen Freeman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The intent of this practicum was to increase third, fourth and fifth grade gifted and talented students’ exposure to the writing process. Nine behavioral objectives were identified. They were: (1) demonstrating more prolifically and mechanically correct narratives, (2) demonstrating more positive feelings toward writing, (3) increasing the number of words used in a narrative, (4) completing a publication-ready narrative, (5) increasing selection of words in a narrative, (6) indicating success in having a written work published, (7) reporting self-improvement in the writing process, (8) increasing ability to inform their readers, and (9) demonstrating a desire to write.

Developmental writing lessons …

Using Educational Technology To Help Retain High-Risk Students In High School Science Class, Harry Ramjus

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem to be solved in this practicum was how to assist 73 high-risk youths found in five, low-level, science classes. The problem was caused by academic under-achievement, inappropriate behavior and a low-economic status. The writer designed and implemented several intervention strategies to help retain high-risk students in high school science class. There were five corollary objectives to improve students' academic achievement, increase student attendance and punctuality, reduce student office-referrals, and improve their conduct in the classroom.

The writer used computer assisted instruction, laser video-disk, video-microcomputer, parental involvement and behavioral-modification techniques to help raise students' academic grades, improve their attendance …

'The Book Of Mutual Love' Of Adam Of Perseigne: A Translation With A Revised Critical Edition And Commentaries (France), Bryan Trussler

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The thesis, a translation of The Book of Mutual Love by the Cistercian Adam of Perseign (abbot 1188-1221), is based on the edition by Gaetano Raciti, but presents a revised form of that edition and includes both notes on the revisions and a commentary on the translation. It is supplemented with a full bibliography of known studies on Adam and an index of Scriptural citations. The introduction puts the treatise into its historical context, with a biography of Adam—the first in English—and a full explication of the structures of the treatise. Adam composed The Book of Mutual Love at the …

Improving Student Teachers’ Strategies For Asking A Range Of Both High And Low Level Questions Through Video Evaluations, Pollidia Hougham

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum aimed to improve student teachers' strategies for asking a variety of questions through the use of video evaluations. The three corollary aims were to improve student teachers strategies for asking both low and high level questions, to improve student teachers' techniques when asking questions, and to improve student teachers' abilities to ask questions. which would encourage higher level thinking.

Trained observers and college coordinators used an observation form which recognized the levels, types and techniques of questions that senior student Leachers were utilizing. Feedback was provided to the senior student teachers. Data was collected after each observation made …

Evaluating Student Learning In Language Arts In The Primary Grades Through Whole Language Assessment Techniques, Diana Deshazo Hyde

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum sought to measure and document real learning in natural circumstances through the use of whole language assessment techniques: Observation checklists on which skills for the language arts (writing, spelling, reading) were listed; the skills of students were measured using descriptor words such as stable, evident, and not evident. In this way, a student’s progress along the road of literacy development was plotted in a positive way.

A reading behavior form was also included. This classified students into one of three learning groups, according to the answers given to a list of seven questions; emphasis was on behavior and …

The Development Of A Model Faculty Training Program To Promote The Integration Of Technology Into The Curriculum, Judy C. Lever

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum identified and implemented a series of technology training strategies to provide faculty with the ability to improve the integration of technology into the curriculum. The practicum objectives included an increase in faculty computer literacy, an increase in the awareness of technology applications, an increase in the awareness of technology and the creation of a replicable model.

The practicum implemented these strategies in two diverse training environments and evaluated their effectiveness in each. During the implementation phase of this practicum. a selection of individual, group and campus training strategies were selected and tested in both environments. Faculty needs were …

A Cross-Age Tutoring Program To Raise Self-Esteem In Learning Disabled, Regular And Gifted Elementary School Students, Marian J. King

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was originally designed to provide teachers with a means of enhancing the self-esteem of learning disabled (LD) students by using them as cross-age tutors in a Kindergarten class. It was assumed that, by engaging them to help younger students, LD tutors would experience a feeling of accomplishment and self-worth, and therefore develop a sense of being capable, useful, and appreciated. It was further assumed that this more positive self-esteem would lead to a healthier social, emotional and intellectual self-perception and behavior. As the project developed, other students (regular and gifted, including whole 5th and 6th grade classes) asked …

Increasing The Authentic Reading Experiences Of Kindergarten Students Through A Teacher In-Service Program, Maxine R. Kirby

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to assist 30 Kindergarten teachers in increasing the authentic reading experiences of kindergarten students in their classrooms. The goal of the practicum was two-fold: to provide the teachers with alternative instructional strategies to drill and practice of basic reading skills and to provide adequate, developmentally appropriate reading materials for the students in the target teachers classrooms.

A communication art needs assessment survey was used to ascertain a profile of the kindergarten program. Fifty-six randomly selected kindergarten teachers participated in the survey; 30 of whom voluntarily participated in the practicum. Survey results, classroom observations, and a review …

Nurturing Writing Attitudes Through Collaboration Across The Intermediate Grades, Flora I. Mckenzie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem for this eight-month practicum was that there were 30 intermediate students who had adverse feelings for writing. The problem was documented as a result of responses to a writing survey by Donato (1990). The survey was administered to a group of 71 students. The highest possible score was 30. Ten students from each grade level (third, fourth and fifth) with the lowest scores completed the practicum activities.

Students viewed a film for the first strategy. Following the film, the students were guided through a brainstorming activity. The students' reactions to the film served as the basis for a …

Improving The Awareness Of The Influence Of Geography Upon Historical Events In Ancient Mesopotamia And In Ancient Egypt In Ninth Grade World History Students, Henry B. Milton

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to incorporate the study of geography into a ninth grade world history with the aim of improving a student’s awareness of the influence of geography upon the historical development of ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. By means of a questionnaire and map tests prepared by the writer, it was determined that ninth grade world history students had little awareness of the influence of geography upon historical development in ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, and could not locate those places regarded as being historically significant in either of those two ancient civilizations.

During the course of implementation, …

Teaching The Cultures Of Francophone Countries To High School French Students Through Group Activities, Brenda J. Pulliam

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum addresses the need to improve the cultural proficiency of high school students studying French. The writer developed and implemented a twelve-week unit designed to teach the cultures of francophone countries to 20 randomly selected first-level students.

The writer developed and administered a survey and a pretest to determine the difficulty of students to demonstrate knowledge of and appreciation for French-speaking countries and people. Individual and group activities and a posttest measured the outcomes of the implementation.

Analysis of the evaluation data indicated an improvement in students’ level of cultural proficiency. They displayed an increase ability to recognize and …

Using Science Related Professionals To Introduce Specific Career Techniques To Improve Interest, Attitude, And Motivation For Science And Science-Related Careers In Eighth-Grade Students, Jewell R. Smith

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This practicum was designed to assist middle school students in evaluating personal interest, attitude, and motivation toward science and science-related careers. In minimizing the pervasive and prevalent procrastination, students engaged in activities to formulate both future academic and career plans.

The writer secured science-related professionals to introduce specific career techniques that involved student interaction to gain exposure to a science-related career. Through journal writing the students evaluated and synthesized information relative to personal likes, dislikes and interests to develop plans for high school science courses and a possible career path.

Analysis of the results revealed that (a) the interest, attitude, …