Digital Commons Network^™

Predictive Model Of Student Performance In Internet-Based Distance Learning Courses At The Community College, Tunjarnika Lowell Coleman-Ferrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The purpose of this research study was to develop a predictive model of student performance in Internet-based distance learning courses at the community college level. The predictor variables included socioeconomic status as it relates to age, gender, marital status, income, and race, as well as, level of education, computer proficiency, motivation, academic support, and grade received in the course. The survey used in this study was the Internet Based Distance Learning Courses Questionnaire (IBDLQ). The survey was administered to a sample of 291 completers of Internet-based distance learning courses at the end of the Summer 2000 and Fall 2000 school …

Risk Of Hatchling Loss To Nearshore Predators At A High-Density Loggerhead Nesting Beach In Southeast Florida, Kelly Rhoda Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

It has been recognized that mortality is high for juvenile stages of long-lived vertebrates such as sea turtles, however few studies have quantified mortality rates. The objective of this study was to assess the relative risk that hatchlings face in their first few minutes in the water, at the commencement of their offshore migration from a natural high-density nesting beach (Juno/Jupiter, FL). I followed 217 hatchlings at night by kayak, as they left the beach and documented the proportion surviving the initial 15 minutes in the water. Of these, 206 survived for an empirical survival rate of 95%. Tarpon were …

Remote Labs: Design And Implementation Issues, Samer M. Aoudi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

This thesis proposes the use of remote laboratory experiments in distance education as a tool to add a reality factor to the distance learning process, thus combining the convenience of distance education with the effectiveness of the traditional physical campus, through its laboratories and technological resources. Moreover, this research studies the different aspects of distance education and remote labs and then provides a proposition to develop an effective remote laboratory setup. Furthermore, it introduces and discusses the different components of a general remote lab experiment and applies the proposed process to an actual remote lab experiment, namely 'The Characteristics of …

Social Development Of Free-Ranging Atlantic Spotted Dolphins (Stenella Frontalis) In The Bahamas, Kelly Kathleen Moewe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

This study documented the behavioral development of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) in the Bahamas. 45 three-minute video-taped sequences of underwater social behavior (aggression, courtship, play), spanning from 1992 to 1996, were selected for ethological analysis and were broken down into 15 adult, 15 juvenile and 15 mixed age class sequences. Continuous focal sub-group sampling was conducted, and one-tailed Kruskal-Wallis ANOVAs were used to test for differences between the age groups in frequencies of occurrence of: (1) the 7 behavioral categories, and (2) the 8 most frequently performed behavioral events. Juveniles performed significantly more Other behaviors and Attention to Object …

Resource Guide For Parents And Classroom Teachers Educating Special Education Students To Increase Appropriate Communication With All Individual Education Program (Iep) Team Members, Amy Thomasson Nast

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

Historically, individuals with special needs have been isolated from society and educational opportunities. Though the professional care for these individuals improved in two hundred years, only since the passage of Public Law 94-142, in the past twenty-seven years, have the needs and accomplishments of special needs individuals been made public. Based on ten years in the classroom, one special educator experienced the need for parents and classroom teachers to have a resources reference for educating special needs individuals and to improve the communication among parents, classroom teachers and special educators. Each group should have an understanding of some history of …

Scattering And Response Green's Function Modeling Of A Fluid-Loaded Coated Cylindrical Shell, Carole. Treffot

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

An acoustic compliant coating is applied on a fluid-loaded structure to control the radiated pressure, by decoupling the fluid medium from the vibrating surface. In this thesis the problem of an infinite cylindrical shell immersed in a fluid and entirely covered with an acoustic compliant layer, excited either by a ring force or an incident acoustic plane wave is considered. To model this problem two different approaches are used. The first one, which is available in the literature, is based on multi-layer shell theory. In this approach the scalar and the vector potential formulation are used to solve for the …

Soul Bubba: President Clinton's Use Of The Rhetoric Of Inclusion To Ensure The Loyalty Of The Congressional Black Caucus, Sandra Elizabeth Bernard-Bastien

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

Clinton's success in engendering loyalty in the African-American, despite his failure to deliver socio-economic and political benefits, presents us with an apparent paradox. The contention is that the answer to this paradox could be found in the rhetorical style and strategies habitually employed by Clinton when speaking to African-Americans. What Clinton said to black America is important, but how he said it, is even more so. Through a critical examination of his eight speeches to the Congressional Black Caucus' Annual Dinner, using rhetorical theory, this research examines how Clinton said what he said. In utilizing the critical approach that examines …

Secondary Orality In "Their Eyes Were Watching God" And "The Color Purple", Africa Ragland Fine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The differences between orality and literacy have been explored by theorists who have focused mainly on the differences in the nature of communication once writing is introduced. However, other theorists have challenged the theory that those characteristics are separate and independent, and there is an argument that the relationship between oral and written communication is not a dichotomy, but a continuum when elements of both can coexist. This idea leads to theory of secondary orality, which describes communication that encompasses both oral and literate elements. Two modern novels, Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and Alice Walker's The …

Soil-Geosynthetic Reinforcement Interaction For Mechanically Stabilized Earth (Mse) Wall Systems, Fernando Manuel Navarrete

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The dissertation is an experimental and analytical investigation of the long term performance of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls with geosynthetics, with particular focus on rational methods to enable the determination of the applicable factors for use in Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD). An overview of current issues concerning MSE walls is followed by an extensive literature review addressing MSE walls, pullout strength, creep and creep rupture, durability and degradation, design methodology, analytical prediction, and field evaluation of MSE walls. The experimental tasks comprise: (i) creep and creep rupture, (ii) durability and degradation, (iii) small scale testing of MSE walls …

Study On Bluetooth And Mobile Ip/Cdpd Technologies: Performance Considerations And Emi/Rfi Implications, Jesada. Sivaraks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

What have been envisaged and focused in the research as deliberated in this dissertation, refer to certain state-of-the-art perspectives of modern wireless telecommunications. Specifically, the objectives and scope of the research efforts carried out include systematic analyses of two major wireless technologies, namely, the Bluetooth(TM) and the CDPD system. The relevant tasks undertaken refer to analytical modeling, experimental studies and simulations pertinent to the performance considerations of the test systems subjected to EMI/RFI influences. The following can be enumerated as the specific research endeavors pursued and completed: (1) Identification of performance implications in the Bluetooth(TM) and CDPD wireless transmissions subjected …

Synthesis Characterization And Ion Exchange Properties Of Aluminum Phosphonates, Rupert Garth Mccormack

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

Three aluminum organophosphonate compounds; aluminum phenylphosphonate, aluminum octylphosphonate, and aluminum octadecylphosphonate, have been synthesized by refluxing aluminum nitrate with an excess of the appropriate organophosphonic acid in aqueous, methanol, or butanol solvents respectively. Each of these compounds was found to have pillared layered structures and ligand to metal ratios of 2:1. Additionally, these compounds were shown to exhibit cation exchange properties. In contrast to that observed for conventional cation-exchange resins, the exchange capacities of these compounds are larger for small cations, such as Li+ and Na+, than for larger ions such as Na+ and K+. The results indicate a size …

Target Signature For A Periodic Structure Using A Low-Frequency Broadband Side-Scan Simulator, Jerrold Edward Gilbert Dietz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

Many acoustic targets of interest contain features that are periodic in space. This thesis demonstrates that a chirp waveform, 2 kHz to 12 kHz, can detect repetitive structures with periods in the range of 0.125 m to 0.75 m. As aspect angle increases from 0 deg to 90 deg, a frequency shift in the range of 830 Hz to 4800 Hz will occur as the period decreases from 0.75 to 0.125 m. It follows that, spectral analysis can aid in target identification. A sonar propagation model has been developed to simulate the acoustic backscattered energy of a target with periodic …

The Use Of Nesting Initiation Dates Of Roseate Spoonbills ( Ajaia Ajaja) In Northeastern Florida Bay As An Ecosystem Indicator For Water Management Practices, 1935--1999, Rodriguez Elsa Marcella Alvear

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

Quantity and timing of freshwater flow from the Everglades to Florida Bay varied under different water management practices in the twentieth century, with negative ecological repercussions. Ecological indicators that respond to differences in hydrology, such as wading bird colony dynamics, can be used for hydrological restoration projects. I examined the possibility of using timing of nesting of Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia ajaja) in northeastern Florida Bay as an ecological indicator. Nest initiation dates (N = 51) from 1936--1999 (x = November 25) were calculated from numerous published and unpublished sources. The dates were strikingly consistent and did not show significant trends …

Testing An Integrated Model Of Crime: Traditional And General Strain, Differential Association, And Control Theories, Michael K. Ostrowsky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

Theories of criminal behavior have been tested individually and in integrated models incorporating multiple theories. Using data from the National Youth Survey Wave VII (1987), an integrated model incorporating traditional strain, differential association, and control theories is tested. Results show that each theory alone is a significant predictor of criminal behavior. Also, the integrated model enhances explanatory power of criminal behavior, over that of each individual theory. General strain theory (GST) variables are then added into the integrated model. In fact, this thesis is the first study, using young adults, that tests for the effects of multiple GST variables on …

The Scapula's Role For Optimizing Recruitment Of The Pectoralis Major During The Supine Dumbbell Chest Press, Jim. Roberts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the electrical activity in the pectoralis major during a supine dumbbell chest press while maintaining a fixed and non-fixed scapula. Fifteen neophyte male subjects between the ages of 18--45 participated in the investigation. Each subject performed five repetitions with 85% of their estimated 1RM in both a fixed (FI) and non-fixed (FL) scapulae position. Measurement of EMG activity was recorded from the shoulder girdle and localized musculature via pre-amplified bipolar skin surface electrodes for the duration of both testing bouts. Data analysis employed a repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). No significant difference in measured electrical activity was noted for the pectoralis major between the two tested positions of the scapulae. Therefore, it appeared scapular positioning did not influence measured electrical activity in the pectoralis major.

Transducer Design For Underwater Acoustic Communications Using The Finite Element Method, Jean-Philippe M J Jacquemin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The behavior of radially polarized free-flooded ring (FFR) transducers is studied for application in underwater acoustic communications. Theoretical models are first presented. Then the finite element method (FEM) is introduced and a FEM model for the FFR transducer is proposed. Experimental data are collected and compared to the simulation results with good correspondence. A series of FEM simulations lead then to optimum geometrical parameters for a fine-tuned FFR transducer dedicated to underwater acoustic communications. Finally, stack transducers models and the piezocomposite technology are presented as possible improvement of the present transducer.

Using Geographic Information Systems To Produce Time Area Diagrams For The Clark Hydrograph Method, Michael Francis Kohler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

Methodologies in GIS are used to compute stream flows for a watershed in Northern California by implementing the Clark Hydrograph Method. GIS algorithms are used to produce time area diagrams with time of concentration formula. These methods are compared to a simulation in HEC-HMS with the dimensionless TAD equation and the ModClark Method. Each GIS method is used to estimate the hydrograph for a measured rainfall event. The accuracy of each of the methods is explored using the HEC objective function, mean squared error, and other statistical measures of correlation. Advantages and limitations of the GIS methodologies are examined and …

Thermal And Stress Analysis Of Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor, Jose Fernando Rivero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The objective of this work is to perform the current induce thermal stress analysis of heterojunction bipolar transistor and to determine the implications of the variation of the thermal shunt thickness. A thesis presented on multi-physics using finite element analysis, covering fluid, thermal and stress with fatigue life analysis of a microelectronic heterojunction bipolar transistor.

Underwater Analysis Of The Behavioral Development Of Free-Ranging Atlantic Spotted Dolphin Calves (Birth To 4 Years Of Age), Jessica Ann Bayer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

This investigation is the first to focus on the underwater behaviors and development of free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) mothers and calves. Underwater video recordings of 30 mother/calf pairs, during the calves' first three years of life, and 10 additional videos of four-year-old calves, were analyzed. Behavioral event frequencies were compared to the calf's age bracket (i.e. year-one, two, three and four). Results demonstrate an increase in calf independence in year-four shown by a significant reduction in Nursing Act behaviors, significantly more Feeding/Foraging behaviors, and increased behaviors performed in the proximity of individuals other than the mother or alone. …

Wavelet-Based Detector For Underwater Communication, Branko. Petljanski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The need for reliable underwater communication at Florida Atlantic University is critical in transmitting data to and from Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) and remote sensors. Since a received signal is corrupted with ambient ocean noise, the nature of such noise is investigated. Furthermore, we establish connection between ambient ocean noise and fractal noise. Since the matched filter is designed under the assumption that noise is white, performance degradation of the matched filter due non-white noise is investigated. We show empirical results that the wavelet transform provides an approximate Karhunen-Loeve expansion for 1/f-type noise. Since whitening can improve only broadband signals, …

Zealots. Five Radicals: Saints Or Sinners, Richard Morton Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The Zealots were an alliance of five United States Senators and Representatives who led the radical wing of the Republican Party from the years 1860 to 1868. They clashed with President Lincoln over emancipation and how the Civil War was conducted, overcame the hostility of President Johnson and finally imposed on the South, a reconstruction plan of their own. Chronicled here is how the five radical leaders by aggressively working in concert became the driving Congressional force in the prosecution of the War.

Using Computer Self-Efficacy Scale To Measure The Attitudes Of Taiwan Elementary Preservice Teachers Toward Computer Technology, Wan-Yu Chao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2000 - 2009

The purpose of the study was to identify the attitudes of preservice teachers enrolled in one elementary teacher training college in Taiwan toward selected issues related to computer technology as measured by the Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE) scale. The focus of this study, as measured by the CSE scale, was to determine whether significant differences existed between the attitudes of Taiwan preservice teachers regarding computer experience, computer training course, and computer ownership. The sample was comprised of 200 preservice teachers enrolled in one elementary teacher training college in Taiwan during the 2000--2001 school year. The instrument utilized in this study, CSE …

Hydrogeological Study Of The Dongolocking Reserves, Dumbleyung, Western Australia, Ben Whitfield

Resource management technical reports

The aims of the hydrogeological study were to assess the characteristics of aquifers within the weathered zone, throughout the Dongolocking Reserves and in the surrounding farmland; provide baseline data on root zone salt store (EM38) and vertical distribution of stored salts (EM38) through the use of ground-based geophysical techniques; identify remnant bush at risk of salinisation; suggest management options to address any observed salinity problems; provide a groundwater monitoring network.

Potential Nrm Structures For Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

All other publications

A discussion paper to scope and present options for regional Natural Resources Management (NRM) structures suited to Western Australia’s South West agricultural division.

Ecological Observations Of Juvenile Head-Started Western Pond Turtles (Clemmys Marmorata Marmorata) In Their First Season In The Wild, Steven Lee Clark

Dissertations and Theses

This project studies 16 juvenile, western pond turtles that were head-started as part of a species recovery program. To my knowledge, no studies have focused solely on juvenile western pond turtles. This study focuses on the turtles’ ecology in their first season in the wild. Radio telemetry was used to study the turtles’ survival, habitat use, behavior and movement.

All study animals survived. Turtles were found to choose aquatic habitat with 81 %-100% floating vegetative cover. Data suggest that refugia was the most important benefit of floating vegetation. All overwintered in upland sites after brief stays in the ponds. Home …

The Tower Clock 2001, Tower Clock

Tower Clock Yearbooks

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Fine Sediment On Stream Macroinvertebrates In Urban And Rural Oregon Streams, Raymond S. Hoy

Dissertations and Theses

Urbanization, often characterized by high impervious surface area, can result in excessive inputs of fine sediments into urban streams. Excessive fine sediments can blanket the stream bed filling the interstitial space in the substratum, which may have adverse effects on stream biota. A field survey was conducted in Oregon urban and non-urban basins to investigate the relationship between fine sediments and stream macroinvertebrates. Physical, chemical, and biological data were collected from 59 stream sites in two urban and two rural streams. The stream sites fulfilled a continuous sediment gradient, which ranged from a low of 2% of fine sediment in …

Breaking Down Barriers To Health Care Access In Rural North Dakota : The Impact Of Telemedicine, Larry L. Timmerman

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Character Education On School Climate, Kristopher G. Arason

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Freshman Intervention Programs Upon Academic Achievement, Scott Lowell Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.