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2008

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The Alternative? Alternative School Calendars’ Effects On Nonacademic Data In Independent Districts, Nick Grinstead Jan 2008

The Alternative? Alternative School Calendars’ Effects On Nonacademic Data In Independent Districts, Nick Grinstead

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

This study measures the effect of alternative school calendars, otherwise known as year-round calendars, on “nonacademic data”, which includes average daily attendance rates, retention rates (where retention rate is defined as percentage of students held back a grade level), and dropout rates. This measurement will be done on Kentucky’s Independent School districts, which have a unique advantage of never having a problem with overcrowding (which will be explained as an important consideration for measurements of effects of alternative school calendars) and in whose districts the majority of alternative school calendars in Kentucky have been implemented. The study will be performed …


Changing Welfare As We Know It One More Time: Assuring Basic Skills And Postsecondary Education Access For Tanf Recipients, Janice Y. Law Jan 2008

Changing Welfare As We Know It One More Time: Assuring Basic Skills And Postsecondary Education Access For Tanf Recipients, Janice Y. Law

Santa Clara Law Review

No abstract provided.


Evaluating The Achievement Outcomes Of 5th-Grade Students Following Their Enrollment In Federally-Funded, Inquiry- Based Classrooms To Determine Program Sustainability, Daniel L. Frazier Jan 2008

Evaluating The Achievement Outcomes Of 5th-Grade Students Following Their Enrollment In Federally-Funded, Inquiry- Based Classrooms To Determine Program Sustainability, Daniel L. Frazier

Student Work

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the achievement outcomes of 5th-grade students following their enrollment in federally funded inquiry-based classrooms compared to same school traditional education program students to determine the feasibility of inquiry-based program sustainability. The study analyzed achievement data of students in the inquiry-based Charter Education Program compared to achievement data of students in the Traditional Education Program to determine pretest-posttest achievement gain for students in both research arms and posttest-posttest intervention effectiveness. The inquiry-based Charter Education Program required students to utilize laptop computers rather than textbooks to research, analyze, write, and complete reports. The Traditional …


Emulsification And Dispersant Properties Of Sugar Ester Glycolipid In Water In Oil And Oil In Water Emulsion., Azrah Abdul Aziz Jan 2008

Emulsification And Dispersant Properties Of Sugar Ester Glycolipid In Water In Oil And Oil In Water Emulsion., Azrah Abdul Aziz

Student Works (2010-2019)

The influence of different dispersing agent on the rheological behaviors of paraffin oil-water emulsion with addition of TiO2 for uv-protect and moisturizing active ingredient was studied. While making creams with minimal structural defects and longer storage stability, it is important that preparation conditions be optimized. Settle volume properties, Zeta potential, effective diameter and settle volume of TiO2 suspension were studied in the presence of glycolipid (DDM and Carrageenan), nonionic (PEG 10,000 and Brij 35P) as well as anionic surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS). In the experiments, the higher concentration of dispersing agents shows higher settle volume percentage, higher zeta potential …


Photofragmentation Of Sif4 Upon Si 2p And F 1s Core Excitation: Cation And Anion Yield Spectroscopy, Maria Novella Piancastelli, Wayne C. Stolte, Renaud Guillemin, A. Wolska, Dennis W. Lindle Jan 2008

Photofragmentation Of Sif4 Upon Si 2p And F 1s Core Excitation: Cation And Anion Yield Spectroscopy, Maria Novella Piancastelli, Wayne C. Stolte, Renaud Guillemin, A. Wolska, Dennis W. Lindle

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

We have studied the fragmentation dynamics of core-excited SiF4 by means of soft-x-ray photoexcitation and partial positive and negative ion yield measurements around the Si L2,3-shell and F K-shell ionization thresholds. All detectable ionic fragments are reported and we observe significant differences between the various partial ion yields near the Si 2p threshold. The differences are similar to our previous results from CH3Cl showing more extended fragmentation in correspondence to transitions to Rydberg states. At variance with smaller systems, we observe negative ion production in the shape resonance region. This can be related …


Them That Has, Gets, Daria Roithmayr Jan 2008

Them That Has, Gets, Daria Roithmayr

Publications

No abstract provided.


The Reciprocating Joule Cycle Engine For Micro Combined Heat And Power Applications, Robert William Allen Jan 2008

The Reciprocating Joule Cycle Engine For Micro Combined Heat And Power Applications, Robert William Allen

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Micro CHP has been identified as a means of reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from household energy consumption. Large scale field trials undertaken in the UK, with systems internal to a single dwelling and based on Stirling engines, were disappointing because of the low thermal efficiencies of such engines. Alternative engines/devices with higher thermal efficiencies are currently being evaluated in Japan but such systems are external to the dwelling. The reciprocating Joule cycle engine is proposed as an engine for a micro CHP system because of its potential to be more thermally efficient than a Stirling engine and at least …


Small And Medium Enterprises And The Environment: Barriers, Drivers, Innovation And Best Practice: A Review Of The Literature, Beth Walker, Janice Redmond, Lynnaire Sheridan, Calvin Wang, Ute Goeft Jan 2008

Small And Medium Enterprises And The Environment: Barriers, Drivers, Innovation And Best Practice: A Review Of The Literature, Beth Walker, Janice Redmond, Lynnaire Sheridan, Calvin Wang, Ute Goeft

Research outputs pre 2011

Small and medium enterprises are the largest business sector in every economy in the world 1, and generate the majority (up to 60%) of global economic output2. In the Australian context, a small business or enterprise is one that employs up to 20 staff while a small and medium sized enterprise (an SME) is a business that employs up to 200 staff. By this definition, more than 99% of all actively trading businesses (more than 1.95 million enterprises) in Australia are SMEs3 . There is a growing body of research supporting the need for SMEs to become engaged in the …


Realized Volatility Uncertainty, David E. Allen, Michael Mcaleer, Marcel Scharth Jan 2008

Realized Volatility Uncertainty, David E. Allen, Michael Mcaleer, Marcel Scharth

Research outputs pre 2011

The presence of high and time-varying volatility of volatility and leverage effects bring additional uncertainty in the tails of the distribution of asset returns, even though returns standardized by (ex-post) quadratic variation measures are nearly gaussian. We argue that in this setting modeling shocks to volatility is more relevant for applications than extracting more precise predictions of the variable, as point forecasts differences are swamped by the size of the volatility of volatility and rendered less informative by the nongaussianity in the ex-ante distribution of returns. Using S&P 500 data, we document that this volatility of volatility is subject to …


The Osi Network Management Model - Capacity And Performance Management, Chompu Nuangjamnong, Stanislaw P. Maj, David Veal Jan 2008

The Osi Network Management Model - Capacity And Performance Management, Chompu Nuangjamnong, Stanislaw P. Maj, David Veal

Research outputs pre 2011

With the rapid growth of large enterprise networks, capacity and performance management issues are becoming increasingly important to both business organizations and the telecommunication industry. Capacity and performance management techniques and methods provide guidance on how to plan, justify and manage network resources. Inappropriate planning for capacity and performance may lead to wasted resources resulting in unnecessary cost, or lack of resources resulting in poor network performance or even the unavailability of IT services. Moreover, it is not uncommon for networks to be equipped with devices from different vendors which potentially add to complexity. Resource management may be assisted by …


A Study Into The Forensic Recoverability Of Data From 2nd Hand Blackberry Devices: World-Class Security, Foiled By Humans, Craig Valli, Andrew Jones Jan 2008

A Study Into The Forensic Recoverability Of Data From 2nd Hand Blackberry Devices: World-Class Security, Foiled By Humans, Craig Valli, Andrew Jones

Research outputs pre 2011

Blackberry RIM devices are arguably one of the more secure platforms for email, calendaring and voice. It is one of the few devices in this arena that has approval for carrying restricted security classifications. Blackberry devices do suffer from the same basic fundamental flaw in that they have a human operator. This research was about the blind purchase of Blackberry devices from auctions. Of the 15 Blackberry examined in this study 3 were able to be fully recovered. They all revealed personal and corporate details about the users of the devices.


The 2007 Analysis Of Information Remaining On Disks Offered For Sale On The Second Hand Market, Andrew Jones, Craig Valli, Glenn Dardick, Iain Sutherland Jan 2008

The 2007 Analysis Of Information Remaining On Disks Offered For Sale On The Second Hand Market, Andrew Jones, Craig Valli, Glenn Dardick, Iain Sutherland

Research outputs pre 2011

All organisations, whether in the public or private sector, increasingly use computers and other devices that contain computer hard disks for the storage and processing of information relating to their business, their employees or their customers. Individual home users also increasingly use computers and other devices containing computer hard disks for the storage and processing of information relating to their private, personal affairs. It continues to be clear that the majority of organisations and individual home users still remain ignorant or misinformed of the volume and type of information that is stored on the hard disks that these devices contain …


Bots Trained To Play Like A Human Are More Fun, Bhuman Soni, Philip Hingston Jan 2008

Bots Trained To Play Like A Human Are More Fun, Bhuman Soni, Philip Hingston

Research outputs pre 2011

Computational intelligence methods are well-suited for use in computer controlled opponents for video games. In many other applications of these methods, the aim is to simulate near-optimal intelligent behaviour. But in video games, the aim is to provide interesting opponents for human players, not optimal ones. In this study, we trained neural network-based computer controlled opponents to play like a human in a popular first-person shooter. We then had gamers play-test these opponents as well as a hand-coded opponent, and surveyed them to find out which opponents they enjoyed more. Our results show that the neural network-based opponents were clearly …


Using Neat For Continuous Adaptation And Teamwork Formation In Pacman, Markus Wittkamp, Luigi Barone, Philip Hingston Jan 2008

Using Neat For Continuous Adaptation And Teamwork Formation In Pacman, Markus Wittkamp, Luigi Barone, Philip Hingston

Research outputs pre 2011

Despite games often being used as a testbed for new computational intelligence techniques, the majority of artificial intelligence in commercial games is scripted. This means that the computer agents are non-adaptive and often inherently exploitable because of it. In this paper, we describe a learning system designed for team strategy development in a real time multi-agent domain. We test our system in the game of Pacman, evolving adaptive strategies for the ghosts in simulated real time against a competent Pacman player. Our agents (the ghosts) are controlled by neural networks, whose weights and structure are incrementally evolved via an implementation …


A Holistic Approach To Establishing An Effective Learning Environment For Psychology, Lynne Cohen, Paul Chang, Julie Ann Pooley, Lisbeth Pike Jan 2008

A Holistic Approach To Establishing An Effective Learning Environment For Psychology, Lynne Cohen, Paul Chang, Julie Ann Pooley, Lisbeth Pike

Research outputs pre 2011

The impetus for the Enhancing Quality and Learning (EQUAL) programme evolved out of concerns held by the staff in the School of Psychology at Edith Cowan University (ECU) regarding the difficulties encountered by first year psychology students and the subsequent low retention rate of these students in the psychology course. The EQUAL programme focused on easing the transition of high school students into university studies by enhancing the social support networks of commencing students. The programme was designed to be an holistic approach to enhancing a sense of belonging to the School of Psychology and comprised seven components. These are …


Acousto-Ultrasonic Optical Fiber Sensors: Overview And State-Of-The-Art, Graham Wild, Steven Hinckley Jan 2008

Acousto-Ultrasonic Optical Fiber Sensors: Overview And State-Of-The-Art, Graham Wild, Steven Hinckley

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper gives a review of acoustic and ultrasonic optical fiber sensors (OFSs). The review covers optical fiber sensing methods for detecting dynamic strain signals, including general sound and acoustic signals, high-frequency signals, i.e., ultrasonic/ultrasound, and other signals such as acoustic em


Systemic Problems In Information Technology Adoption And Use: A Systems Thinking Perspective, Syed Arshad Raza, Craig Standing Jan 2008

Systemic Problems In Information Technology Adoption And Use: A Systems Thinking Perspective, Syed Arshad Raza, Craig Standing

Research outputs pre 2011

Understanding and creating the conditions under which information systems will be embraced by human organizations (thinking systems) remain a high-priority research issue. Despite numerous benefits associated with Information Technology (IT), there exist some intervening factors (systemic problems or issues) that impede technology’s widespread adoption and use in organisations. Established information technology adoption models like TAM, TRA etc. view technology adoption from the users’ perspective without taking a strategic perspective into account. As an alternative focus we suggest that addressing systemic problems can be a method of reducing fundamental barriers to organizational progress. This paper presents some real life examples of …


Tunable True-Time Delay Unit Based On Opto-Vlsi Processing, Feng Xiao, Budi Juswardy, Kamal Alameh Jan 2008

Tunable True-Time Delay Unit Based On Opto-Vlsi Processing, Feng Xiao, Budi Juswardy, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs pre 2011

A novel tunable true-time delay unit is proposed and demonstrated. The unit is based on the use of an Opto-VLSI processor that dynamically selects a single waveband or multiple wavebands from an RF-modulated broadband optical signal and routes them to a high-dispersion fiber for arbitrary time delay synthesis. Experimental results demonstrate continuously tunable time delay of up to 4 ns.


Obstacle Detection And Spectral Discrimination Using Multi-Wavelength Motionless Wide Angle Laser Scanning, Kaveh Sahba, Kamal Alameh, Clifton Smith Jan 2008

Obstacle Detection And Spectral Discrimination Using Multi-Wavelength Motionless Wide Angle Laser Scanning, Kaveh Sahba, Kamal Alameh, Clifton Smith

Research outputs pre 2011

Static laser scanning over a wide angle is demonstrated by ranging to 20 laser beams generated by a novel cylindrical quasi-cavity waveguide, using laser triangulation. Baseline distances and outgoing angles unique to each laser beam are calculated by modelling the triangulation arrangement using a system of linear equations and plotting principal rays. The quasi-cavity waveguide, imaging lens and focal plane are also plotted. The system is calibrated by finding optimal values for uncertain instrumental parameters using constrained non-linear optimization. Distances calculated over 5m indoors result in accuracies above 93%. Discrete laser spectroscopy using 640nm and 785nm laser diodes is also …


A Tunable Multiwavelength Laser Employing A Semiconductor Optical Amplifier And An Opto-Vlsi Processor, Muhsen Aljada, Kamal Alameh, Yong T. Lee Jan 2008

A Tunable Multiwavelength Laser Employing A Semiconductor Optical Amplifier And An Opto-Vlsi Processor, Muhsen Aljada, Kamal Alameh, Yong T. Lee

Research outputs pre 2011

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a stable tunable multiwavelength laser employing a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in conjunction with an opto-very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) processor. By uploading digital phase holograms onto the opto-VLSI processor, the amplified spontaneous emission of the SOA is arbitrarily sliced and injected back into the SOA to generate multiple lasing wavelengths with a linewidth of 0.5 nm. Experimental results demonstrate a tunable multiwavelength laser with a tuning range from 1528 to 1533 nm with power fluctuations of less than 0.5 dB.


Current Challenges Facing Information And Communications Technology: A Manifesto For Change, Donald Mcdermid Jan 2008

Current Challenges Facing Information And Communications Technology: A Manifesto For Change, Donald Mcdermid

Research outputs pre 2011

A distinction is drawn concerning the true nature of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) which previously was seen as technology-focused or techno centric but actually concerns transformation and the management of change in business (socio-techno centric). Current issues and challenges in ICT are examined and future trends and directions highlighted. This leads to a manifesto for change outlining a coherent approach to transforming ICT into a resource which fully contributes to business. Finally given this manifesto, challenges for tertiary education are outlined.


Evaluation Of An Optical Image Sensor For Use In The Microphotonic Real-Time Vegetation Discrimination System, Arie Paap, Sreten Askraba, Kamal Alameh, John Rowe Jan 2008

Evaluation Of An Optical Image Sensor For Use In The Microphotonic Real-Time Vegetation Discrimination System, Arie Paap, Sreten Askraba, Kamal Alameh, John Rowe

Research outputs pre 2011

A comparison between the performance of a commercially available line scan camera and a linear sensor array employed in a micro-photonic real-time vegetation discrimination system for use in selective herbicide spraying systems is presented.


A Type Of Variation Of Hamilton Path Problem With Applications, Jitian Xiao, Jun Wang Jan 2008

A Type Of Variation Of Hamilton Path Problem With Applications, Jitian Xiao, Jun Wang

Research outputs pre 2011

This paper describes a type of variation of the Hamilton path problem that can be applied to a type of applications. Unlike the original Hamilton path problem, the variation always has a solution. The problem of finding solutions to the variation of the Hamilton path problem is NP-complete. A heuristic for finding solutions to the problem is developed and analyzed. The heuristic is then applied to a real application scenario in the area of spatial cluster scheduling in spatial join processing. Experiments have demonstrated that the proposed method generates better cluster sequence than existing algorithms.


Photonic-Based Spectral Reflectance Sensor For Ground-Based Plant Detection And Weed Discrimination, Arie Paap, Sreten Askraba, Kamal Alameh, John Rowe Jan 2008

Photonic-Based Spectral Reflectance Sensor For Ground-Based Plant Detection And Weed Discrimination, Arie Paap, Sreten Askraba, Kamal Alameh, John Rowe

Research outputs pre 2011

A bench prototype photonic-based spectral reflectance sensor architecture for use in selective herbicide spraying systems performing non-contact spectral reflectance measurements of plants and soil is described and experimental data obtained with simulated farming vehicle traveling speeds of 7 and 22 km/h is presented. The sensor uses a three-wavelength laser diode module that sequentially emits identically-polarized laser light beams through a common aperture, along one optical path. Each laser beam enters a multi-spot beam generator which produces up to 14 parallel laser beams over a 210mm span. The intensity of the reflected light from each spot is detected by a high-speed …


Opto-Vlsi Based Broadband Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer, Feng Xiao, Budi Juswardy, Kamal Alameh Jan 2008

Opto-Vlsi Based Broadband Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer, Feng Xiao, Budi Juswardy, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs pre 2011

In this paper, a reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) structure using an Opto-VLSI processor, two arrayed waveguide grating de/multiplexers (AWGs) and a custom-made fiber array is described. The fiber array consist of N pairs of upper and lower fibers, where each pair could function as an add, a drop or a thru multiplexers depending on the hologram generated by the Opto-VLSI processor. Experimental results show that the proposed ROADM structure has an average insertion loss of 5.5 dB for all the functions and a uniformity of 0.3 dB over a wide wavelength range from 1524 nm to 1576 nm. A …


Opto-Vlsi-Based Reconfigurable Microwave Photonic Transversal Filter With Positive And Negative Coefficients, Feng Xiao, Budi Juswardy, Kamal Alameh Jan 2008

Opto-Vlsi-Based Reconfigurable Microwave Photonic Transversal Filter With Positive And Negative Coefficients, Feng Xiao, Budi Juswardy, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs pre 2011

A novel reconfigurable microwave photonic filter structure with positive and negative coefficients is proposed and demonstrated. The filter structure comprises two arrayed waveguide gratings, a custom-made fiber array, high-dispersion fibres, and a reconfigurable opto-VLSI processor. Positive and negative filter weights can flexibly be synthesised to realise arbitrary transfer functions. Experimental results are presented, which demonstrate the principle of the proposed filter structure.


You've Got Mail: Accountability And End User Attitudes To Email Management, Mark Brogan, Susan Vreugdenburg Jan 2008

You've Got Mail: Accountability And End User Attitudes To Email Management, Mark Brogan, Susan Vreugdenburg

Research outputs pre 2011

In a pioneering ethnographic study of end user responses to the problem of ‘information overload’ Whittaker and Sidner (1996) found that the design of systems primarily as methods of asynchronous communication, posed significant information management problems for users. In another contemporaneous study, David Bearman (1993) extended understanding of the implications of end user email management behavior by identifying significant accountability implications for organizations arising from the use of email. Recent case studies in the United States and Australia (Leopold, 2008; Raleigh Chronicle, 2008; Strutt, and Taylor, 2007) have once again focused attention on the accountability consequences for Government of email …


Reconfigurable Multi-Passband Optical Filter Using Opto-Vlsi Processor, Muhsen Aljada, Kamal Alameh Jan 2008

Reconfigurable Multi-Passband Optical Filter Using Opto-Vlsi Processor, Muhsen Aljada, Kamal Alameh

Research outputs pre 2011

A reconfigurable multi-passband optical filter of 0.5 nm linewidth and a tuning range of 8 nm is demonstrated using an opto-VLSI processor. The wavelength tunability is performed using digital phase holograms uploaded on the opto-VLSI processor.


A Novel Wide-Angle Laser Triangulation Method For Obstacle Detection, Kaveh Sahba, Kamal Alameh, Clifton Smith Jan 2008

A Novel Wide-Angle Laser Triangulation Method For Obstacle Detection, Kaveh Sahba, Kamal Alameh, Clifton Smith

Research outputs pre 2011

Indoor active triangulation to laser spots generated by quasi-cylindrical cavity is demonstrated. Principal ray trajectory is modeled using a system of linear equations and fundamental ray geometry. Each ray’s unique outgoing angle and baseline is calculated and used to derive the range to the corresponding spot. Above 98% accuracy is achieved over an approximate range of 5m, demonstrating a novel motionless laser scanning technique with a wide scanned angle and no moving parts.


A Novel Mobile Wimax Solution For Higher Throughput, Iftekhar Ahmad, Daryoush Habibi Jan 2008

A Novel Mobile Wimax Solution For Higher Throughput, Iftekhar Ahmad, Daryoush Habibi

Research outputs pre 2011

The IEEE 802.16 standard, also known as WiMAX, has emerged as an exciting technology for broadband wireless communications with potentials to offer high throughput and support high bandwidth demanding applications. WiMAX, however, has yet to prove its effectiveness when the end terminals are not fixed and have the capacity to move from one place to another at different speeds. Recent studies suggest that while WiMAX (802.16e) has the potential to deliver a data rate up to 75 Mb/s for fixed wireless communications, it fails drastically for mobile wireless communications, often providing a data rate less than 1 Mb/s when the …