Digital Commons Network^™

A Fuzzy/Neural Approach To Cost Prediction With Small Data Sets, Holly Danker-Mcdermot

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The project objective in this work is to create an accurate cost estimate for NASA engine tests at the John C. Stennis Space Center testing facilities using various combinations of fuzzy and neural systems. The data set available for this cost prediction problem consists of variables such as test duration, thrust, and many other similar quantities, unfortunately it is small and incomplete. The first method implemented to perform this cost estimate uses the locally linear embedding (LLE) algorithm for a nonlinear reduction method that is then put through an adaptive network based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The second method is …

The Acquisition Of The English Present Perfect By A Speaker Of Brazilian Portuguese, Eleomarques Rocha

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This study contributes to the debate about the importance of focus on form to adult second language acquisition with an investigation of a Portuguese-speaking adult's acquisition of English present perfect from a historical, correlational, and qualitative viewpoint. Using a husband-wife interaction in the L1, it investigates whether explicit grammar instruction and error correction can lead to automatic production. The focus of the study, the distinction between L1 present simple and L2 present perfect, is contrasted with a control distinction: L1 stative and L2 progressive. The importance of these distinctions is that both are semantically challenging for the L2 acquirer; therefore, …

A Study Of Overrepresentation Of Minorities In Special Education In Southern New Jersey Public Schools, Carol Phister

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an overrepresentation of minority students in special education in southern New Jersey Public Schools. Data was disaggregated to the district level for 25 randomly chosen public school districts in southern New Jersey. Data were reported on the total school population and the total number of students classified as eligible for special education. These data were further broken down in both categories (i.e. total school population and special education) by race/ethnicity and by gender. In addition, special education data were also reported by specific disability category. These data were presented …

Developing An Instrument For Determining Teacher Beliefs Or Orientations Of Secondary School Spanish Language Teachers, Lori Virginia Cox

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to further the development of an instrument for use in investigating the ideas or beliefs that Spanish language teachers possess about the teaching of a foreign language. It was also the intent of the study to survey Spanish language teachers and use their responses as an aid in the development of the instrument. A questionnaire detailing possible teacher behaviors was sent out to 220 Spanish language secondary school teachers in the state of Utah. Three teacher orientations emerged and were significantly related to gender and years of teaching experience. Seven questions from the questionnaire emerged as …

Communication Between Russian Teaching Assistants And American Undergraduate Students, Aleksey Sergeyevich Popov

Communication

This research employs qualitative narrative analysis in order to better understand the lived experience of American undergraduate students' interactive relationships with Russian Teaching Assistants particularly in Communication courses 13lx 'Fundamentals of Oral Communication - Group Context' and 141x 'Fundamentals of Oral Communication - Public Speaking' at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Narrative interviews revealed several emergent themes. They are: assertiveness in the classroom, language barrier, grading difficulties, Russian TAs' enthusiasm, and getting used to the classroom environment.

Socialization Experiences Of Russian Employees At The University Of Alaska Fairbanks: Cultural Approach, Elena P. Markova

Communication

This qualitative exploratory study examines Russian employees' lived experiences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and the influence UAF culture has on the communicative socialization process. Like other international workers employed at various positions in American universities, Russian employees, especially Research and Teaching assistants, may experience difficulty in terms of language, culture, training, in terms of adapting to American culture, specifically American academic culture, to succeed in their jobs. The literature review for this study includes theoretical perspectives from intercultural communication, organizational communication, and the social construction of reality. Russian employees participate in in-depth narrative interviews about their communication …

May 17, 2004 Reporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

"We Dance Because We Are IñUpiaq", IñUpiaq Dance In Barrow: Performance And Identity, Hiroko Ikuta

Anthropology

Dance, like other forms of expressive culture, is an important vehicle for creating, maintaining, and expressing identity. Founded in the early 1950s, the Barrow Dancers, with a membership of more than sixty, perform on important occasions in Alaska and outside the state for Native and non-Native audiences. For the Barrow Dancers, song, gesture, and drumming are means of creating and maintaining continuity in a community undergoing rapid social change. Collectively, the troop appears to dance with greater freedom and innovation for local audiences whereas their commoditized performances for outsiders are more formal and repetitive. The Barrow Dancers also perform at …

The Use Of Aspect In A Gwich'in Narrative, Qwynten Daelgar Richards

Anthropology

This work is an investigation of the role of viewpoint aspect in highlighting and fore grounding information in discourse, and in structuring narrative discourse within a Gwich'in narrative. The purpose is to contribute to a clearer understanding of how aspect functions cross-linguistically. The focus of the analysis is on the perfective/imperfective contrast which involves speaker choice. The findings are that there is an interesting correlation between shift in narrative episode and shift in viewpoint aspect, and additionally, that the use of the perfective does highlight and mark significant information in the narrative. The study also examines the narrative in terms …

Deafdigest: Gold Edition, May 16, 2004, Barry Strassler

DeafDigest Gold 2004

No abstract provided.

Commencement Program, 2004, Roger Williams University

Commencement Programs

Program for Commencement Exercises, including the date, location, and a list of graduates and their degrees. Program also includes other details, such as the names of speakers and honorary degree recipients, awards, and traditions.

2004 Spring Boise State University Commencement Program

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

On The Green Vol. 34 No. 14 May 14, 2004, Gallaudet University

2001-2010

On the Green is an internal publication of Gallaudet College, which later became Gallaudet University. It notified employees of updates around the campus and in the broader community, including new construction and the establishment of new academic programs. Running until 2010, it was supplanted by various forms of online mass communications across multiple audiences.

Pittsburg State University Annual Commencement, May 2004, Pittsburg State University

Commencement, 1903-Present

Program of undergraduate and graduate commencement exercises at Pittsburg State University on May of 2004

University Of Montana Events Friday, May 14, Through Saturday, May 22, 2004, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Spartan Daily, May 12, 2004, San Jose State University, School Of Journalism And Mass Communications

Spartan Daily (School of Journalism and Mass Communications)

Volume 122, Issue 66

Sabree V. Richman

2004 Decisions

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

May 10, 2004 Reporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Deafdigest: Gold Edition, May 9, 2004, Barry Strassler

DeafDigest Gold 2004

No abstract provided.

Deafdigest: Blue Edition, May 9, 2004, Barry Strassler

DeafDigest Blue 2004

No abstract provided.

Knowing In Childbirth, Jane Savage

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Research on knowing in childbirth has largely been a quantitative process. The purpose of this study was to better understand the ways nine, first-time mothers learn about birth. A phenomenological approach using a feminist view was used to analyze two in-depth interviews and journals to understand first time expectant mothers' experiences of knowing in childbirth. The findings demonstrated a range of knowledge that contributed to issues of control, confidence, hope, and conflict. The participants also described an increased dependency on their mothers and a lack of intuition contiguous to the birth process. These findings contribute understanding as to how expectant …

University Of Montana Events Friday, May 7, Through Saturday, May 15, 2004, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

From Cell Blocks To Building Blocks, Laurie Castleberry

Digitized Theses and Dissertations (prior to 2008)

This is to certify that the Master of Education Portfolio of Laurie Castleberry has been approved by the Supervising Committee for the portfolio requirement for the Master of Education in Special Education in the Department of Special Education.

Journey To The Mountain Peak, Deanna Beth Callihan-Ware

Digitized Theses and Dissertations (prior to 2008)

This is to certify that the Master of Education Portfolio of Deanna Beth Callihan-Ware has been approved by the Supervising Committee for the portfolio requirement for the Master of Education in Special Education in the Department of Special Education.

Ghetto Feminism: Neo-Black Feminism For The Black Hip-Hop Generation(S), Chyann L. Oliver

Senior Scholar Papers

"Ghetto Feminism: Neo-Black Feminism for the Black Hip-Hop Generation (s)" is a feminism that addresses the simultaneity of race, sex, and class oppressions that subjugate black people of the hip-hop generation who reside in the urban ghetto or ghetto like conditions. It is a feminism that deconstructs the hypersexualized, racialized and classist representations of black people in hip-hop culture. The goal of this feminism or feminist thought is to raise the black hip-hop generationer's critical consciousness in order to encourage resistance to distorted images of themselves. Continuing with the tradition of multivocality or heteroglossia, Ghetto Feminism uses poetry, scholarly essays, …

Power, Positionality, And Conceptions Of Stewardship And Ownership In The Cleanup Of Nomans Land Island, Massachusetts, Michael Greenberg

Honors Theses

One of the most pressing issues facing Indigenous groups today, especially in the intimate New Engl'and communilties of the northeastern United States, is their ongoing struggle to reclaim and preserve sovereignty on land they once cultivated as stewards but now live on under the encroachment of larger States. In recent years, the United States government has sought to deal with issues of Native American sovereignty through granting federal recognition to tribes, thus creating a relationship of "nation-to-nation status" between a tribal government and the national government. This relationship generates a complex power structure on global, national, regional, and tribal levels, …

Implementing A Study Skills Program In Secondary School: What Needs To Be Done?, Margaret R. Ritson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory investigation was to ascertain if a study-skills program implemented during a study hall in a Southern New Jersey high school might improve the study skills of students who voluntarily participate. At the outset of the study, students were surveyed in order to gauge their perceptions of their own academic study skills. The same survey was administered at the conclusion of the study in order to determine if study-skills growth and improvement had occurred. Information derived from the survey was used to assess the overall effectiveness of the study-skills program. The survey consisted of twenty-five questions …

The Effects Of An Integrated Whole Language And Phonics-Based Instructional Spelling Program On Student Spelling Ability And Self-Concept, Kimberly B. Biberman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to create an integrated phonics and whole language approach to teaching spelling to regular education and resource students. The sample included thirty-nine fourth grade students, which were split into an experimental and a control group. Students in the experimental group completed a spelling pretest and ten weeks of instruction implemented by the researchers. The students in the control group also completed a pretest and completed spelling instruction as followed by the required fourth grade curriculum.

After the study was completed, both groups completed a spelling posttest as well as a self-concept scale in relation …

Second Language Acquisition: A Study Of A Constructivist Approach To Teaching Versus A Varied Approach, And Its Effectiveness In A First-Year Spanish Class At The Secondary Level, Christina Di Mento Ferus

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a Constructivist approach to teaching, or a varied approach is most effective in teaching a first-year Spanish class at the secondary level. The sample for this study consisted of 40 high school students enrolled in a Spanish I course. All students were given a pretest at the beginning of the second marking period. The test was developed by the researcher, and covered all the concepts that were to be taught throughout that marking period. One class was instructed using a Constructivist approach to teaching, while the other class received a varied …

Keys To Florida, Catherine E. Crawford

Digitized Theses and Dissertations (prior to 2008)

This is to certify that the Master of Education Portfolio of Catherine E. Crawford has been approved by the Supervising Committee for the portfolio requirement for the Master of Education in Special Education in the Department of Special Education.