Digital Commons Network^™

Ensemble Learning For Ranking Interesting Attributes, Erik W. Sinsel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Machine learning knowledge representations, such as decision trees; are often incomprehensible to humans. They can also contain errors specific to the representation type and the data used to generate them. By combining larger; less comprehensible decision trees, it is possible to increase their accuracy as an ensemble compared to the best individual tree. The thesis examines an ensemble learning technique and presents a unique knowledge elicitation technique which produces an ordered ranking of attributes by their importance in leading to more desirable classifications. The technique compares full branches of decision trees, finding the set difference of shared attributes. The combination …

Psychological Readiness: Is This Assessment Valuable To Athletic Trainers In Understanding Athletes' Adherence And Compliance, Damien Clement

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite the many documented psychological reactions athletes experiences as a result of athletic injuries, very little, if any psychological assessment is being done to evaluate their readiness to embark on their rehabilitation. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine if psychological readiness influences athletes' adherence and compliance to their rehabilitation programs. A secondary purpose was to determine the impact psychological readiness had on perceived versus actual completion rates of rehabilitation programs. Injured college student athletes' (N=70) psychological readiness were assessed (using the transtheoretical model of behavior change 10) to determine its effect on compliance, adherence rates and perceived …

The Behavioral Functions Of Stimuli Signaling Transitions Across Rich And Lean Schedules Of Reinforcement, Jessica B. Long

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The present experiment was designed to assess whether stimuli correlated with rich and lean fixed-ratio schedule components would function as conditioned reinforcers and conditioned punishers, respectively. Pigeons responded on a mixed schedule with fixed-ratio components leading to large or small food reinforcers. Pecks on either of two observing keys converted the mixed schedule to a multiple schedule by turning on a color associated with the current component. The stimulus consequences of the observing responses were manipulated across conditions. Pecks on one observing key produced the rich stimulus and the lean stimulus whereas pecks on the other observing key produced only …

Adoption Of Resource -Conserving Agricultural Technologies: An Economic And *Policy Analysis For South Africa, Daniel Vusanani Dlamini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Land degradation continues to be a threat to the agricultural sector of South Africa. Land degradation induced by agricultural production activities is considered to be among the major factors responsible for a decline in land productivity. Conservation efforts through government intervention and voluntary efforts have produced minimal success compared to the desired targets. The purpose of this study is to understand the factors that influence the adoption decisions of resource conserving technologies in the context of commercial farmers in South Africa.;Adoption of conservation-oriented agricultural technologies in South Africa is influenced by a wide range of economic and social factors, and …

Asian Indian Perceptions Of Normality: A Qualitative Study, Mohammed S. Lodhi Khan

Theses and Dissertations

Normal mental health has always been defined from a Euro-centric worldview that excludes non-Westem cultures. In fact, what is normal is biased against non-Westem cultural ideals that influenced the definition of mental health. The difference between Eastern and Western cultural values suggest that the two cultures may also have differing views on the definition of normal mental health. The most commonly accepted definition of normality currently in use in the West is based on the models of health, utopia, average, transactional systems, and pragmatism. However, people from non-European cultures, such as Asian Indians, may not be represented by these current …

Human Error And General Aviation Accidents: A Comprehensive, Fine-Grained Analysis Using Hfacs, Douglas Wiegmann, Troy Faaborg, Albert Boquet, Cristy Detwiler, Kali Holcomb, Scott Shappell

Publications

The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is a theoretically based tool for investigating and analyzing human error associated with accidents and incidents. Previous research performed at both the University of Illinois and the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute has successfully shown that HFACS can be reliably used to analyze the underlying human causes of both commercial and general aviation (GA) accidents. These analyses have helped identify general trends in the types of human factors issues and aircrew errors that have contributed to civil aviation accidents. The next step was to identify the exact nature of the human errors identified. …

The Rx For Electronic Health Care Records: Time, Not Incentives, Edward W. Wright

Student Scholarship

Despite promotion as a national objective, information technology remains relatively underutilized in US healthcare. To better understand this reluctance by physicians to implement technology that will arguably improve the efficiency and effectiveness of American healthcare, we studied fifteen family medical practices - interviewing decision makers about the adoption of electronic health record systems. A resulting conceptual model provides a pragmatic explanation of the variables that influence adoption. Prior adoption theories that rely upon intention to use as a predictor of adoption proved inadequate to our purpose. These theories tend to ignore the decision to acquire technology--the heart of the EHR …

Research Paradigms And Meaning Making: A Primer, Steven Eric Krauss

The Qualitative Report

An introduction and explanation of the epistemological differences of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms is first provided, followed by an overview of the realist philosophical paradigm, which attempts to accommodate the two. From this foundational discussion, the paper then introduces the concept of meaning ma king in research methods and looks at how meaning is generated from qualitative data analysis specifically. Finally, some examples from the literature of how meaning can be constructed and organized using a qualitative data analysis approach are provided. The paper aims to provide an introduction to research methodologies, coupled with a discussion on how meaning …

An Investigation Of Employee Satisfaction And Employee Empowerment Specific To On-Site Supervisors In The Residential Construction Industry, David Lars Halvorsen

Theses and Dissertations

Employee satisfaction and empowerment are vital elements to businesses in most industries. The construction industry has various types of employees, ranging from managers and executives to on-site supervisors and laborers. This study was conducted to obtain a greater understanding about the elements and levels of satisfaction and empowerment of on-site supervisors in the residential construction industry. An on-site supervisor in the residential construction industry is responsible for coordinating and managing employees, materials, equipment, budgets, schedules, contracts, and the safety of employees and the general public. They are also the employees most frequently perceived as accountable for the success or failure …

The Grizzly, December 1, 2005, Ali Wagner, Bart Brooks, Allison Emery, Adam Longino, Sarah Keck, Jonathan Pometto, Lindsay Givens, Lane Taylor, Shawntee Rudd, Alex Ernst, Jay Repko, Kate Prahlad, Dave Marcheskie, Eric Sulock

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Memorial for Professor McLennan • Fate of "The Egg" • Jazz Legend Performs at Ursinus • Myrin Renovations • Murderball is Coming to Ursinus • Hot Discounts Warm up the Ski Season • Am I Pregnant? • What's Hot and What's Not This Gift-Giving Season • Wanted: Greek Presidents • Opinions: The Bigger Headache with PA Liquor Laws; How to Avoid Disastrous Holiday Parties; Addicted to Games, Are We? • Bears Ground Flying Dutchmen • Bears Fall Short of NCAA Title

Using Community Service Projects To Teach Leadership And Team-Building: Theoretical Foundations, Students' Reactions And Practical Considerations, Gilbert Tan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper discusses the theoretical foundations of utilizing Community Service Project (CSP) or service-learning to teach Leadership and Team-Building. It examines the students’ reactions to this innovative method of instruction. This is done through conducting a content analysis of students’ learning journals, in which students reflect on their CSP learning experiences. Two themes emerged from the data: (a) variety of learning experiences, and (b) impact of CSP experience. The data suggested that students derived a variety of learning experiences from the CSP. In addition, there were attitudinal and learning impacts associated with the CSP experiences. The paper also outlines some …

Retest Effects In Operational Selection Settings: Development And Test Of A Framework, Filip Lievens, Tine Buyse, Paul R. Sackett

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study proposes a framework for examining the effects of retaking tests in operational selection settings. A central feature of this framework is the distinction between within-person and between-person retest effects. This framework is used to develop hypotheses about retest effects for exemplars of 3 types of tests (knowledge tests, cognitive ability tests, and situational judgment tests) and to test these hypotheses in a high stakes selection setting (admission to medical studies in Belgium). Analyses of within-person retest effects showed that mean scores of repeat test takers were one-third of a standard deviation higher for the knowledge test and situational …

Being Whole: Aligning Personhoods To Achieve Successful Childbirth With A History Of Childhood Sexual Abuse During Perinatal Services, Karla Kendall Richmond Phd, Msn, Rnc, Cns

Dissertations

Being a pregnant female is a temporary condition. A woman with a history of childhood sexual abuse aligns the personhoods of child victim, adult survivor and pregnant female to achieve a successful pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum experience. Female survivors desire to be recognized and function as whole being during the perinatal experience. It is estimated that 15 to 32 percent of females prior to the age of eighteen have unwanted sexual contact. Female survivors carry this history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) with them throughout their lives which may involve childbirth. There are many long-term psychological consequences that can …

Fostering Total Wellness Through Peer Helping: Reflections On The Smu Experiences, Gilbert Tan, Timothy Hsi

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Peer Helping is widely implemented in Colleges and Universities in the United States and Canada. Despite the popularity of these programs, very little has been researched on peer helping in the Asian context. This paper traces the theoretical foundations of peer helping and the nascent development of a peer helping program in the Singapore Management University and how this program has developed since the beginning of 2004. The initial focus of the program was based on the model of paraprofessional student counselors assisting their fellow peers through difficult moments in their lives. Over time, the program was fine-tuned to embrace …

University Of San Diego News Print Media Coverage 2005.12, University Of San Diego Office Of Public Relations

Print Media Coverage (1947-2009)

Printed clippings housed in folders with a table of contents arranged by topic.

Teaching Reading: Report And Recommendations, Ken Rowe, National Inquiry Into The Teaching Of Literacy (Australia)

School and system improvement

The objectives of the Inquiry were to review and analyse recent national and international research about literacy teaching approaches; identify the extent to which prospective teachers are provided with reading teaching approaches and skills that are effective in the classroom and have the opportunities to develop and practise the skills required to implement effective classroom reading programs; identify the ways in which research evidence on literacy teaching and policies in Australian schools can best inform classroom teaching practice and support teacher professional learning; examine the effectiveness of assessment methods being used to monitor the progress of students' early reading learning; …

Increasing Blood Glucose Monitoring In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: Effects Of A Prompt, Stephen J. Albrecht

Dissertations

A series of single-subject designs (AB, ABAB) were used to assess the effects of an antecedent prompting procedure (i.e., prompts) on blood glucose monitoring in young individuals diagnosed with type I diabetes. Prompts were delivered through portable, automated paging technology. Frequency of blood glucose checks was obtained across meter, baseline, and intervention phases. Metabolic control was assessed by obtaining blood glucose levels for each check across baseline and intervention phases, and hemoglobin (HbA1c) values at study entry and follow-up. Results indicated that the prompt increased blood glucose monitoring for three participants, and metabolic control improved for 2 participants when the …

Sisters: A Tribute, Mary Dengler

Pro Rege

No abstract provided.

The George-Anne, Georgia Southern University

The George-Anne

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Cultural Crossings Against Ethnocentric Currents: Toward A Confucian Ethics Of Communicative Virtues, Sor-Hoon Tan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Despite contemporary Confucianism's aspirations to be a world philosophy, there is an ethnocentric strand within the Confucian tradition, most glaringly exemplified in Han Yu's attacks on Buddhism. This paper re-assesses Confucian ethnocentrism in the context of contrary practices that indicate a more pragmatic attitude among Confucians toward cross-cultural interactions. It argues that while the ethnocentric tendency serves as constant reminder of the need for vigilance, and recognition of the difficulties of crossing cultural boundaries, there are nevertheless resources within Confucianism for constructing an ethics of communication that is urgently needed to deal with the moral problems of cultural pluralism. The …

Earmstrong, Armstrong Atlantic State University

Armstrong News & Publications: e-Armstrong Newsletter (Archived)

No abstract provided.

A Cross-Cultural Study Of Hearing And Hearing-Impaired Children’S Human Figure Drawings, Chia-Liang Timothy Hu

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to further the research of human figure drawings as useful assessment tools and add to the understanding of children’s human figure drawings from a cross-cultural perspective.

In this quantitative study, 147 human figure drawings made by 59 hearing and 64 hearing-impaired Taiwanese children and 24 hearing-impaired American children were collected. In addition, 50 drawings done by hearing American children were randomly chosen from the children’s drawing database of Eastern Virginia Medical School Graduate Art Therapy Program. Five Formal Elements Art Therapy Scales (FEATS) scales were modified for use with human figure drawings and were …

Psychometric Evaluation Of The Shared Care Instrument In A Sample Of Home Health Care Family Dyads, Margaret Sebern

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Researchers have studied negative effects of caregiving on a family caregiver; however, less is known about positive aspects of exchanging assistance for both members of a family caregiving dyad. In a previous naturalistic inquiry the author indentified a basis for studying caregiving interactions was a construct called shared care. The three components of shared care identified in the naturalistic inquiry were communication, decision making, and reciprocity. The Shared Care Instrument (SCI) was developed to measure the construct. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the SCI, and to assess its construct and criterion-related validity. A …

Homegrown Child Pornography And The Commerce Clause: Where To Draw The Line On Interstate Production Of Child Pornography, Lauren Bianchini

American University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Attitudes And Practices Of Virginia Efnep And Fsne Educators Toward Teaching About Childhood Overweight, Elena Serrano, Ruby Cox

Journal of Extension

The main objective of the study reported here was to assess the attitudes, practices, and needs of Virginia EFNEP and FSNE educators toward addressing childhood overweight. Written questionnaires were administered to 40 educators. Nearly 80% considered childhood overweight a "growing problem"; however, only 12 indicated they had taught classes on childhood overweight and nearly one-third were considered in pre-contemplation or contemplation (based on Stages of Change). The biggest perceived barrier was lack of resources and information, followed by lack of interest of class participants. The findings demonstrate the need for curricula and a stage-based training on childhood overweight for Extension.

How Optional Usage Of The Web Affects Reading Comprehension, Jocelyn K. Tenorio

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this investigation is to consider whether using web-enhanced material improves proportionally students' reading comprehension skills. In addition student attitudes are considered. Two groups of students at the University of Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico were chosen as a census: a group of nursing students taking a course on reading comprehension of nursing articles in English and a group of students studying to be teachers of English as a foreign language. Reading selections were uploaded on the internet using the WebCT platform. The students were to read the selections and answer quizzes. The students took a pre- and post-test …

The Effects Of A Redirecting Strategy On Self Injurious Behavior Manifested By A Subject With Multiple Disabilities, Maria Estevanes Strickland

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a strategy involving redirection would reduce or extinguish self-injurious behavior (SIB). The subject, a ten-year-old girl, diagnosed with a seizure disorder, functioned at as eight month old level is confined to a wheel chair and is completely dependent on others for transportation and self-care needs. A single subject, ABAB design was used. The study was aimed at measuring SIB episodes during the baseline and treatment phases. A communication board was used during the treatment phases. The results indicate that the use of the communication board successfully reduced the episodes of self-injurious …

Negotiating Intercultural Conflict In Cloistered Community: A Case Study, Mathew Joseph Choorapanthiyil

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study investigates the broad cultural differences in the preferred ways of communicating in situations of interpersonal conflict within the setting of a multicultural cloistered community of women religious. The participants consisted of fourteen individuals from seven countries residing within the United States in a community with permanent relationships. The linkage of cultural individualism and collectivism (VC), independent and dependent self-construal, and low and high context communication were analyzed in order to evaluate the influence of culture on the communication styles. The findings confirm established theory regarding the differences between individualism and collectivism. The study also measured the preference …

Braveheart Pastors : The Role Of Courage In A Pastor's Ability To Lead The Local Church Effectively, Timothy James Farrell

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Organizational Climate And Gender Perception Differences Among Industrial Technology Faculty, Sheryl L. Shipley

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a problem facing Industrial Technology (IT) - the under-representation of women at all levels. The problem of this study was to identify female IT faculty perceptions regarding characteristics of successful IT faculty and the professional climate that may limit diversity in Industrial Technology collegiate teaching positions. The effects of continued under-representation of women in Industrial Technology programs in higher education will not be reversed without attention to increasing the number of women at all organizational levels. Analyzing the professional climate surrounding Industrial Technology from a female IT faculty perception may lead to a greater understanding of the barriers …