Digital Commons Network^™

A Model For A Fles Program In Morgantown, West Virginia., Isabel Cristina Cadavid-Munera

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There is an increasing interest in the development and implementation of foreign language programs in elementary school throughout the U.S. However, as some experts on the field of teaching foreign languages to children have pointed out, very often those programs are implemented without prior planning or thorough investigation. The present study was conducted in five schools in Morgantown, West Virginia, in order to determine the major strengths and weaknesses of the foreign language after school classes currently carried out at those schools. Questionnaires (to parents, classroom teachers, Spanish instructors, and site coordinators), class observations and interviews were the ethnographic techniques …

An Economic Analysis Of The Relationship Of Poverty And Income Inequality In Rural West Virginia., Semoa Costa Batista De Sousa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There have been numerous research studies on poverty, income inequality, economic growth, and the relationship between these variables at national and regional levels. This thesis focuses on poverty and income inequality, in 38 rural counties of West Virginia. The study examines the possibility of simultaneity between poverty and income inequality (Gini index) using a two-stage least square regression with cross-sectional data for 1980 and 1990. Furthermore, ordinary least square regressions are used to investigate the main determinants of poverty and income inequality. The results confirm the possibility of simultaneity between poverty and income inequality. The proportions of the population in …

Use Of Track-Etched Polycarbonate Filters In Series To Mimic The Total Human Lung Deposition In The Ultrafine And Fine Particle Range From 0.03 To 0.40 Microns., Jennifer Lynn Hornsby-Myers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Three 3.0m polycarbonate track-etched filters were used in series in a 37 mm cassette and tested at 2.2 L/min using an automated filter tester to determine the filter assembly’s deposition curve as a function of particle size from 0.03 to 0.4 m. The filter assembly’s efficiency curve was compared to Stahlhofen’s resting with nose breathing and working with mouth breathing human total lung deposition curves used by the ICRP. Bias maps show that the shape of the filter assembly’s deposition curve matches the two lung deposition curves in the ultrafine range under these specific test conditions. The efficiency curve of …

Modelling And Control Of The Unified Power Flow Controller (Upfc)., Azra Hasanovic

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The focus of this thesis is a FACTS device known as the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC). With its unique capability to control simultaneously real and reactive power flows on a transmission line as well as to regulate voltage at the bus where it is connected, this device creates a tremendous quality impact on power system stability. These features become even more significant knowing that the UPFC can allow loading of the transmission lines close to their thermal limits, forcing the power to flow through the desired paths. This will give the power system operators much needed flexibility in order …

Dynamic Behavior Characterization Of Fine Powders Consisting Of A Homogeneous Emulsion, And, Synthesis And Decomposition Of Methane Gas Hydrate: A Reaction Engineering Study., Sridhar Narasimhan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This work quantitatively characterizes the flow and mixing properties of aerated bulk fine powders between the minimum fluidization and minimum bubbling velocities (Umf < U < Umb). In order to accomplish this characterization, the viscosity of the emulsion phase was measured using the Maxwell’s model for the rheological behavior of complex bodies along with the set of rheological parameters proposed by Kono et al (1994). A unique property of the bulk fine powder called the relaxation time (t) was measured experimentally and this property was combined with another rheological parameter called the plastic deformation coefficient (Y) to give the viscosity of the emulsion phase as m = Yt. SECTION II This work describes the first homogeneous formation and decomposition of methane gas hydrates within several different synthetic sediments by using a highpressure batch reaction system. The pressure of the formation reaction was varied in the range of 6.8 – 13.6 MPa while the temperature was maintained constant at 273.5 K Decomposition of hydrate was accomplished through controlled depressurization starting at a pressure of 2.7 MPa, maintaining the temperature constant at 273.5 K. Overall reaction order, both for the formation and decomposition were also determined.

The Effects On Extracurricular Participation Of Academic Achievement, Self Concept, And Locus Of Control Among High School Students., Scott Randolph Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects on extracurricular participation (i.e., athletic participation) of academic achievement, self concept, and locus of control among high school students. Participants included six thousand six hundred ninety-eight (N = 6,698) high school students, from the National Education Longitudinal Study:1988 (NELS:88) First- and Second-Follow-Up data collection phases. These individuals participated in extracurricular activities during the tenth and/or twelfth grade. A binomial logistic regression model estimated the effects of: (1) gender; (2) socio-economic status (SES); (3) locus of control; (4) self concept; (5) school location; (6) school's region; (7) tenth grade participation level …

Labor Law And Industrial Peace: A Comparative Analysis Of The United States, The United Kingdom, Germany, And Japan Under The Bargaining Model, Kenneth G. Dau-Schmidt

Articles by Maurer Faculty

In this Article, Professor Dau-Schmidt provides a comparative analysis of the labor laws of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan for the purposes of identifying which characteristics of a country's labor laws are likely to reduce strike incidence and intensity and promote industrial peace. To identify which characteristics of a country's law are likely to encourage industrial peace, Professor Dau-Schmidt presents game theory arguments based on his analysis of unions and collective bargaining. Dau-Schmidt then provides a simple empirical test as to the relative success of different countries' laws in advancing industrial peace by comparing data on …

A Hydrodynamic Model Of Semiconductors., Sixin Qian

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

We study the three dimensional simplified hydrodynamic model of semi-conductors where the equations of energy conservation are eliminated by assuming a pressure-density relation. The system is a combination of three hyperbolic equations coupled with an elliptic one. We prove the linear stability and the existence of local classical solutions to the initial boundary value problem for this system. The Neumann condition corresponds to an insulated boundary. Because a compatible condition is required in solving the Neumann BVP (Boundary Value Problem), a special iteration scheme is introduced to handle this situation. Based on the existence of the classical solutions to this …

Computerized Training Methods: Effects On Retention And Rate Of Responding., Finnur Oddsson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the difference between two methods for presenting training stimuli, Single- and Multi-trials procedures. The former presents one stimulus in a single workspace and the latter presents many stimuli. Experiment 1 attempted to explain why Multi-trial methods sustain higher rates of responding than Single-trials. The results showed that the primary reason for the high rates of responding to Multi-trials is the presence of multiple stimuli, which allow subjects to read ahead to a consecutive stimulus while responding to a previous one. Experiment 2 evaluated the generality of the findings of previous research that …

A Comparison Of Collaborative And Individualistic Problem Solving In Younger And Older Adults On An Everyday Task., Suling Cheng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Researchers examining everyday problem solving in adulthood have focused mainly on age differences in performance (e.g., Denney & Palmer, 1981). Older adults are often found to be poor problem solvers in comparison to younger adults because older adults use problem-solving strategies that are defined as less effective by researchers. Furthermore, researchers have focused on problem solving as a solitary activity and not as a collaborative activity. In addition, the problem-solving tasks researchers have used to measure everyday problem solving often resemble traditional problem-solving tasks. Thus, attention should be directed toward comparing younger and older adults on ecologically valid collaborative problem-solving …

An Integrated Cost Model For Software Reuse., Senta Fowler Chmiel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Several cost models have been proposed and assessed in the past for predicting and analyzing the costs associated with software reuse. The integrated cost model, which is presented in this thesis, is based on the premise that there are four decisions in the software reuse lifecycle: the decision to adopt a reuse-based software paradigm; the decision to initiate a domain engineering initiative; the decision to use reusable assets in the development of a given application; and the decision to develop reusable assets. The integrated cost model further considers that all these decisions must be justified by an economic rationale, and …

The Natural Rate Of Unemployment, Its Estimation, And Evaluation Of Its Estimators., Victor Vyron Claar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation estimates a time series of the natural rate of unemployment via competing methods, and evaluates such methods both within sample and for forecasting purposes. The methods used include the Kalman and Hodrick-Prescott filters. Evaluation proceeds along two lines. First, a Phillips curve is used in order to assess how well deviations of actual inflation from expected inflation are explained by deviations of the actual unemployment rate from estimated natural rates within a given sample period. The evaluative criterion is the overall fit of each regression. The analysis indicates that the in-sample fit of the Phillips curve changes little …

The Effect Of Individual Difference Variables, Learning Environment, And Cognitive Task On Statistical Learning Performance., Ernest Frank

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The problem of this research was to determine the effect of six independent individual difference variables (cognitive control, learning style, achievement motivation, locus of control, learning environment, and cognitive task) on the dependent variable of learning performance. Post facto research was conducted that resulted in significant findings for two of the twelve research hypotheses postulated. Specifically, the mean performance score of field independent students was found to be significantly higher than that of field dependent students and the mean performance score of the web-based learning environment condition was found to be significantly higher than that of the traditional learning environment …

Revised Glacial Margins And Wisconsin Meltwater Paleoflood Hydrology In Slippery Rock Creek Basin, Central Western Pennsylvania, Gary John D'Urso

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Glacial margins mapped in Slippery Rock Creek basin during the 1950s are problematic. The number of sedimentological, mineralogical, petrological, and textural analyses used to distinguish glacial drifts in the southern portion of the basin were inadequate to resolve the margins. Furthermore, misidentification of man-made deposits as glacial drift led to erroneous interpretations regarding the extent and character of pre-Wisconsin glacial deposits, and appears to have influenced subsequent soil mapping. Canadian Shield erratic weathering was the primary tool used in this study to re-investigate the glacial margins. Erratics display one of three distinctive weathering rinds, so glacial deposits can be differentiated …

The Usefulness Of Admission Data As A Predictor Of Completion Of An Associate Degree Nursing Program., Shelia Marie Kyle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine whether or not selected variables used in the admission process can predict and the extent to which they can predict whether or not the student will graduate from an associate degree nursing program. The independent variables for this study were: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), number of courses completed prior to beginning the nursing program, the pre-admission Grade Point Average (GPA), the number of science courses completed pre-nursing, the number of courses repeated to earn a grade of C or better pre-nursing, and the number of hours transferred from other institutions of …

Mean Reversion In United States Stock Prices: A Panel Approach., Jeffrey Michael Gropp

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The existence of market anomalies has long been recognized in the finance literature. Several studies have documented the effects of size, dividend yields, E/P ratios, book-to-market value ratios, turn of the year (January effect), investor overreaction, and mean reversion on market returns. Still, much controversy surrounds the existence of, and explanations for the observed market anomalies. In this dissertation, I attempt to overcome such difficulties in analyzing the existence of the market anomalies of investor overreaction and mean reversion, while providing recommendations for future research. In the first chapter of the dissertation I briefly discuss past research in the areas …

The Effects Of Fearful Responding Of Arithmetic Performance., Derek Richard Hopko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Although anxiety-related responding and skill deficits have historically been associated with performance-based problems such as high mathematics anxiety, the relative contributions of these variables to substandard performance remains poorly understood. Utilizing a 7% carbon dioxide gas mixture to induce fear, the present study was designed to determine the impact of fear-related responding to cognitive task performance. Independent variables included anxiety group, gender, and gas condition. Dependent variables included behavioral, physiological, and self-report indices. A total of 64 university undergraduate students participated in the study. High and low math anxious individuals were randomly assigned to either a carbon dioxide or control …

The Development And Validation Of Science Learning Inventory (Sli): A Conceptual Change Framework., Mehdi Seyedmonir

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A multidimensional theoretical model, Conceptual Change Science Learning (CCSL), was developed based on Standard Model of Conceptual Change and Cognitive Reconstruction of Knowledge Model. The model addresses three main components of science learning, namely the learner's conceptual ecology, the message along with its social context, and the cognitive engagement. A learner's conceptual ecology is organized around three clusters, including epistemological beliefs, existing conceptions, and motivation. Learner's cognitive engagement is represented by a continuum from peripheral processing involving shallow cognitive engagement to central processing involving deep cognitive engagement. Through reciprocal, non-sequential interactions of such constructs, the learners' conceptual change is achieved. …

Education As A Tool For Social Change: Case Study Of An Arizona Inner-City Charter School, Heather Koger Devich

Master's Theses

Digitized thesis

[Introduction To] The Backward Shift On The Hardy Space, William T. Ross, Joseph A. Cima

Bookshelf

Shift operators on Hilbert spaces of analytic functions play an important role in the study of bounded linear operators on Hilbert spaces since they often serve as models for various classes of linear operators. For example, "parts" of direct sums of the backward shift operator on the classical Hardy space H2 model certain types of contraction operators and potentially have connections to understanding the invariant subspaces of a general linear operator.

This book is a thorough treatment of the characterization of the backward shift invariant subspaces of the well-known Hardy spaces Hp. The characterization of the backward shift …

[Introduction To] Schaum's Outline Programming With C++, John R. Hubbard

Bookshelf

Tough Test Questions? Missed Lectures? Not Enough Time?

Fortunately for you, there's Schaum's Outlines. More than 40 million students have trusted Schaum's to help them succeed in the classroom and on exams. Schaum's is the key to faster learning and higher grades in every subject. Each Outline presents all the essential course information in an easy-to-follow, topic-by-topic format. You also get hundreds of examples, solved problems, and practice exercises to test your skills.

This Schaum's Outline gives you

• Practice problems with full explanations that reinforce knowledge
• Coverage of the most up-to-date developments in your course field
• In-depth review of practices …

[Introduction To] Mathematics Calculus Bc, John R. Hubbard, David R. Arterburn, Michael A. Perl

Bookshelf

This book gives you the tools to prepare effectively for the Advanced Placement Examination in Mathematics: Calculus BC. These tools include a concise topical review and six full-length practice tests. Our review succinctly covers areas considered most relevant to this exam. Following each of our tests is an answer key complete with detailed explanations designed to clarify the material for you.

Digital Image Watermarking Techniques, Christopher Martin

Theses

The ability to resolve ownership disputes and copyright infringement is difficult in the worldwide digital age. There is an increasing need to develop techniques that protect the owner of digital data. Digital Watermarking is a technique used to embed a known piece of digital data within another piece of digital data. The embedded piece of data acts as a fingerprint for the owner, allowing the protection of copyright, authentication of the data, and tracing of illegal copies. The goal of this thesis is to produce two watermarking tools and compare their effectiveness with that of other watermarking tools. One of …

Iron And Manganese In The Ross Sea, Antarctica: Seasonal Iron Limitation In Antarctic Shelf Waters, Peter N. Sedwick, Giacomo R. Ditullio, Denis J. Mackey

OES Faculty Publications

Dissolved iron and manganese and total dissolvable iron were measured in water column samples from the Polynya Region of the southern Ross Sea in cruises in Nov.-Dec. 1994 (spring 1994) and Dec. 1995 to Jan. 1996 (summer 1995). Iron and manganese addition bottle incubation experiments were also performed on these cruises to assess the nutritional sufficiency of ambient iron and manganese concentrations for phytoplankton growth. Generally high dissolved iron concentrations (>0.5 nM) and relatively complex iron and manganese vertical profiles were obtained in spring 1994 vs. summer 1995. Dissolved iron concentrations in the upper water column averaged 1.0 nM …

Mcnair Scholars Journal

Georgia Southern University McNair Scholars Journal (Archived)

• Director's Message
• Relationship Between a Precipitate Found in Ethanol Preserved Crustaceans and The Molt Cycle Lacrissa Cook
• Main Influences of Perceived Gender Differences in Middle and High School Students: Unveiling the Curtain of Silence Ebonique Thomas
• The Sagittal Suture in Homo Sapiens: Is It Fractal? Ron Wright
• The Black Elite in Atlanta, Georgia: Perpetuating and Idealistic Society Phyllis M. Hill
• The Quarterman Incident: The Albany Movement Pushed Back to Strength Kameelah L. Martin
• The Effects of Various Materials for the Purpose of Sound Reduction Christopher Johnson
• Maintaining Doctrinal Integrity and Continuity in The Absence of Organizational Structure Among Primitive Baptists …

Executives And Hedging: The Fragile Legal Foundation Of Incentive Compatibility, David M. Schizer

Faculty Scholarship

Options are granted to executives to inspire better performance by tying pay to the employer's stock price. Yet this incentive rationale no longer holds if executives can use the derivatives market to simulate a sale of their options, a practice known as hedging. This Article evaluates the effectiveness of existing legal constraints on hedging by executives, including limits derived from contract, securities and tax law. Although investment bankers have been searching for ways around these constraints, the bottom line is that, at least for now, executives are unable to hedge option grants: While contractual limits are rare, the securities law …

Sticks And Snakes: Derivatives And Curtailing Aggressive Tax Planning, David M. Schizer

Faculty Scholarship

The most important tax problem of recent months is the impact of aggressive tax planning on corporate tax revenue. The Secretary of the Treasury blames the "tax shelter industry," in which tax lawyers and investment bankers develop and market tax-motivated transactions. This Article analyzes aggressive tax planning, and recommends ways to impede it, in a context rife with opportunities for planning: the tax rules for complex financial instruments known as derivatives. While planning opportunities are prevalent elsewhere in the tax law as well, this Article focuses on derivatives because the problem is particularly acute – indeed, derivatives have been called …

Synthetic Metal Alloys: Preparation Of Polyaniline/Polypyrrole Alloys In Protic Medium, Fati̇h Köleli̇, Meltem Düdükcü, Yasemi̇n Arslan

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Pyrrole and aniline solutions were mixed in different ratios and oxidized under anodic conditions on Pt surface in protic medium. The electrocopolymerization and electrochemical properties of these alloys were investigated. Current-potential diagrams of polyaniline (PA), polypyrrole (PP) and the resulting alloys were recorded and their electrochemical characterizations were identified. In-situ resistance measurements of synthesized alloys were carried out with a home-made apparatus. Conductivity of alloys showed changes depending on applied potential as intrinsic polymers. The electrochemical behaviour of homopolymers and alloys was studied at different temperatures.

A Convenient Synthesis Of Some 4-(Alkylamino)-4,5-Dihydro-1h-1,2,4-Triazol-5-Ones, Bahi̇tti̇n Kahveci̇, Aykut İki̇zler

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

A series of 3-alkyl-4-(arylidenamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones, {\bfseries 6-10,} was obtained from the reaction of the corresponding 3-alkyl-4-amino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones, {\bfseries 1,} with the appropriate aldehydes. 3-alkyl-4-(alkylamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones of type {\bfseries 11-16} were synthesized from the selective reduction of compounds {\bfseries 5-10} with NaBH$_{4}$ in diglyme or DMSO medium as a general and convenient method.

Investigation Of The Synthesis Of Some Dehydroalanine Derivatives, Si̇bel Süzen, John Michael Williams

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Dehydroamino acids represent an important class of compound as they are key intermediates in unusual amino acid and in the design of peptides and are constituents of a variety of naturally occurring antibiotic and phytotoxic peptides. In view of the importance of proteins and peptides containing hydroxyamino acids and the problems associated with their synthesis and dehydration, an investigation was performed on model compounds in order to examine the difficulties of the dehydration reactions. The preparation and properties of the model dehydroalanine derivatives have been studied.