Digital Commons Network^™

An Intermediate Extended Literacy Routine To Support Struggling Third Grade Readers, Jeani Z. Fullard

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Large numbers of children in the United States are not functioning at adequate levels of literacy. Students who have weak reading proficiency skills are identified as at-risk; failure to acquire competency early in their schooling adversely affects performance in all academic fields and limits their potential for achievement in life. There is an extensive knowledge base about the skills and strategies children must learn in order to read well. Effective fluency and comprehension strategies need to be taught to help students become powerful, active readers who are in control of their learning.

This study evaluated a structured classroom model …

Adaptive Dynamic Programming-Based Optimal Control Of Unknown Affine Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems, Travis Dierks, Balaje T. Thumati, S. Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Discrete time approximate dynamic programming (ADP) techniques have been widely used in the recent literature to determine the optimal or near optimal control policies for nonlinear systems. However, an inherent assumption of ADP requires at least partial knowledge of the system dynamics as well as the value of the controlled plant one step ahead. in this work, a novel approach to ADP is attempted while relaxing the need of the partial knowledge of the nonlinear system. the proposed methodology entails a two-part process: online system identification and offline optimal control training. First, in the identification process, a neural network (NN) …

Decentralized Control Of Large Scale Interconnected Systems Using Adaptive Neural Network-Based Dynamic Surface Control, Shahab Mehraeen, Sarangapani Jagannathan, Mariesa L. Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel decentralized controller using the dynamic surface control (DSC) is proposed for a class of uncertain large scale interconnected nonlinear systems in strict feedback form while relaxing the "explosion of complexity" problem which is observed in the typical backstepping approach. the matching condition is not assumed when dealing with the interconnection terms. Neural networks (NNs) are utilized to approximate the uncertainties in both subsystem and interconnected terms. by using novel NN weight update laws, it is demonstrated using Lyapunov stability that the closed-loop signals are asymptotically stable in the presence of NN approximation errors in contrast with the uniform …

An Alpha Derivative Formulation Of The Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equation Of Dynamic Programming, John Seiffertt

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The time scales calculus, which includes the study of the alpha derivative, is an emerging key area in mathematics. We extend this calculus to Approximate Dynamic Programming. in particular, we investigate application of the alpha derivative, one of the fundamental dynamic derivatives of time scales. We present an alpha-derivative based derivation and proof of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, the solution of which is the fundamental problem in the Held of dynamic programming. by drawing together the calculus of time scales and the applied area of stochastic control via Approximate Dynamic Programming, we connect two major fields of research. © 2009 IEEE.

A New Class Of Minimum Power Divergence Estimators With Applications To Cancer Surveillance, Nirian Martin, Yi Li

Harvard University Biostatistics Working Paper Series

No abstract provided.

Gsu Lincoln Laureate Honored, Office Of Public Affairs

Press Releases

Each year an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is named a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

This year’s Lincoln Laureate from Governors State University is Adam Taylor of Matteson. According to those who nominated him, Taylor exemplifies the characteristics of Lincoln Laureates who are chosen for their commitment to the principles of democracy and humanity as embodied by Abraham Lincoln. Taylor has been an active and contributing member of the GSU community through his work as president of the Student Senate, participant in the Brother 2 Brother …

A La-Icpms Sr Isotope And Trace Element Study Of Plagioclase And Clinopyroxene Of The Higganum Dike, Connecticut: Determining The Magma Source Of The Central Atlantic Magmatic Province, Caprise Steadman Harper

Theses and Dissertations

The Higganum dike of Connecticut is one of the earliest basaltic dikes of the Central Atlantic Magmatic province and is geochemically representative of the widespread low-Ti basaltic lavas (~1 wt % TiO2) that make up the majority of the province in North America. Liquid compositions calculated from Cr-rich clinopyroxene cores from the Higganum dike are significantly more primitive than the bulk rock with average Mg# s of 0.63 compared to the Higganum dike which has Mg #'s ~ 0.55. However, the negative Nb and positive Pb anomalies that are seen in trace element patterns of the low-Ti group are also …

The Current Volume 20 : Issue 14, Nova Southeastern University

Student Newspapers

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: November 17, 2009, Eastern Illinois University

November

No abstract provided.

Climate Change Economics 101, Adele C. Morris

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

Outline of Talk:
- Climate change is a market failure
- Climate and energy facts
- Economically efficient policy design
- Economics of Domestic Legislation

Nmr Multiple Quantum Coherences In Quasi-One-Dimensional Spin Systems: Comparison With Ideal Spin-Chain Dynamics, Wenxian Zhang, Paola Cappellaro, Natania Antler, Brian Pepper, David G. Cory, Viatcheslav V. Dobrovitski, Chandrasekhar Ramanathan, Lorenza Viola

Dartmouth Scholarship

The ¹⁹F spins in a crystal of fluorapatite have often been used to experimentally approximate a one-dimensional spin system. Under suitable multipulse control, the nuclear-spin dynamics may be modeled to first approximation by a double-quantum one-dimensional Hamiltonian, which is analytically solvable for nearest-neighbor couplings. Here, we use solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to investigate the multiple quantum coherence dynamics of fluorapatite, with an emphasis on understanding the region of validity for such a simplified picture. Using experimental, numerical, and analytical methods, we explore the effects of long-range intrachain couplings, cross-chain couplings, as well as couplings to a spin environment, …

Florida Sentinel Bulletin, November 17, 2009, Gwen Hayes

Florida Sentinel Bulletin Collection

The November 17, 2009, issue of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin.

Nonlinear Models In Multivariate Population Bioequivalence Testing, Bassam Dahman

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation a methodology is proposed for simultaneously evaluating the population bioequivalence (PBE) of a generic drug to a pre-licensed drug, or the bioequivalence of two formulations of a drug using multiple correlated pharmacokinetic metrics. The univariate criterion that is accepted by the food and drug administration (FDA) for testing population bioequivalence is generalized. Very few approaches for testing multivariate extensions of PBE have appeared in the literature. One method uses the trace of the covariance matrix as a measure of total variability, and another uses a pooled variance instead of the reference variance. The former ignores the correlation …

A Symbol Layout Classification For Mathematical Formula Using Layout Context, Ling Ouyang

Theses

We describe a symbol classification technique for identifying the expected locations of neighboring symbols in mathematical expressions. We use the seven symbol layout classes of the DRACULAE math notation parser (Zanibbi, et al., 2002) to represent expected locations for neighboring symbols: Ascender, Descender, Centered, Open Bracket, Non-Scripted, Variable Range (e.g., integrals) and Root. A new feature based on the shape context (Belongie, et al., 2002), named layout context, is used to describe the arrangement of neighboring symbols relative to a reference symbol, and the nearest neighbor rule is used for classification. 1917 mathematical symbols from the University of Washington III …

Interview With Peter Spendelow, Oregon Deq, 2009 (Audio), Peter Spendelow

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Peter Spendelow by Angie Yzaguirre in downtown Portland, Oregon on November 17th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Reducing Microwave Loss In Superconducting Resonators Due To Trapped Vortices, Britton Plourde, C. Song, M. P. Defeo, Kang Yu

Physics - All Scholarship

Microwave resonators with high quality factors have enabled many recent breakthroughs with superconducting qubits and photon detectors, typically operated in shielded environments to reduce the ambient magnetic field. Insufficient shielding or pulsed control fields can introduce vortices, leading to reduced quality factors, although increased pinning can mitigate this effect. A narrow slot etched into the resonator surface provides a straightforward method for pinning enhancement without otherwise affecting the resonator. Resonators patterned with such a slot exhibited over an order of magnitude reduction in the excess loss due to vortices compared with identical resonators from the same film with no slot.

Geol 3502 Course Proposal, Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Committee Reports

No abstract provided.

Observation Of A Helical Self-Organized State In A Compact Toroidal Plasma, C. D. Cothran, Michael R. Brown, Timothy G. Gray , '01, M. J. Schaffer, G. Marklin

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

A nonaxisymmetric stable magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium within a prolate cylindrical conducting boundary has been produced experimentally. It has m=1 azimuthal symmetry, helical distortion, and flat lambda profile, all in agreement with the computed magnetically relaxed minimum magnetic energy Taylor state. Despite varied initial conditions determined by two helicity injectors on the device, this same equilibrium consistently emerges as the final state. These results therefore describe a new example of self-organization in an MHD plasma.

Nutrient Enrichment Studies Of Natural Phytoplankton Populations In Tampa Bay: A Summary Of Results June 1993 To August 2009, The City Of Tampa Wastewater Department

Reports

The Bay Study Group (BSG) has been conducting nutrient enrichment studies (bioassays) on natural phytoplankton populations at four locations in Tampa Bay since 1993 (Figure 1). This report will summarize findings for all tests that have been performed to date, from June 1993 through August 2009.

The Long-Term Neuropsychological Outcomes In Sagittal Craniosynotosis: Limited-Strip Craniectomy Vs. Whole-Vault Cranioplasty, Anup Patel

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

The functional morbidity in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is not obvious. Because of this disconnect between cranial deformity and functional disability, cranial reconstructive surgery in patients with single-suture sagittal craniosynostosis has been regarded as a cosmetic intervention. However, it has been observed in a preliminary study that children with simple craniosynostosis often have a higher proportion of learning disabilities and cognitive problems as compared to nonafflicted children. The influence of modern comprehensive surgical treatment including the optimal age to perform surgery has not been well-documented. This study examined long-term neuropsychological outcomes of children and adolescents with isolated sagittal craniosynostosis undergoing either limited-strip …

Grand Valley Forum, Volume 034, Number 12, November 16, 2009, Grand Valley State University

2009-2010, Volume 34

Grand Valley Forum is Grand Valley State's faculty and staff newsletter, published from 1976 to the present.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 41 No. 88, November 16, 2009

Central Florida Future

Finally!; CIA recruits on UCF campus; Student gives her final answer in NYC; Name change brings equality; Homecoming inspires goodwill.

Chem 2304 Course Proposal, Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Committee Reports

No abstract provided.

The Bg News November 16, 2009, Bowling Green State University

BG News (Student Newspaper)

The BGSU campus student newspaper. November 16, 2009. Volume 100-Issue 58.

The Educational Aspirations/Attainment Gap Among Rural Alaska Native Students, Aaron Doyle

The Rural Educator

Indigenous students in rural Alaska hold high educational aspirations and yet few students realize their educational goals (Hamilton & Seyfrit, 1993; Kleinfeld & McDiarmid, 1986; McDiarmid & Kleinfeld, 1981). Our purpose in this study was tounderstand why so many Alaska Native students from small, isolated communities “drift” after high school, neither entering the postsecondary programs they aspire to, nor engaging in paid work. The contribution of this study is to clarify the reasons for the “educational aspirations-achievement gap,” in other words, why so many Alaska Native rural students have high educational expectations, and yet remain directionless in adult life. This …

Determination Of 6-Benzylthioinosine In Mouse And Human Plasma By Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Lan Li, Yan Xu, David N. Wald, William Tse

Chemistry Faculty Publications

This paper described the development and validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for the quantitative determination of 6-benzylthioinosine (6BT), a novel myeloid leukemia differentiation-inducing agent, in mouse and human plasma. In this method, 2-amino-6-benzylthioinosine (2A6BT) was used as internal standard and ethyl acetate was used as organic solvent for the extraction of 6BT and internal standard from plasma samples. The extracted samples were separated on YMC ODS-AQ® column (2.0 mm × 50 mm), and the eluates from the column were monitored by the positive-electrospray-ionization tandem mass spectrometer (ESI+-MS/MS). Quantification of 6BT by internal calibration with 2A6BT was …

Inhibitors Of Bacterial N-Succinyl-L,L-Diaminopimelic Acid Desuccinylase (Dape) And Demonstration Of In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity, Danuta Gillner, Nicola Armoush, Richard C. Holz, Daniel P. Becker

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The dapE-encoded N-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) is a critical bacterial enzyme for the construction of the bacterial cell wall. A screen biased toward compounds containing zinc-binding groups (ZBG’s) including thiols, carboxylic acids, boronic acids, phosphonates and hydroxamates has delivered a number of micromolar inhibitors of DapE from Haemophilus influenzae, including the low micromolar inhibitor L-captopril (IC₅₀ = 3.3 μM, K_i = 1.8 μM). In vitro antimicrobial activity was demonstrated for l-captopril against Escherichia coli.

Impact Of No Child Left Behind On Curriculum And Instruction In Rural Schools, Deborah Powell, Heidi J. Higgins, Roberta Aram, Andrea Freed

The Rural Educator

This article examines the influence of the No Child Left Behind Act on the decision making of rural principals and teachers about curriculum and instruction as well as the possible long-term effects on rural education. Data were gathered from 101 rural elementary school principals in Missouri and 76 rural elementary school teachers in Maine. Missouri principals were concerned about losing their autonomy and abilities to be instructional leaders. Maine teachers reported that NCLB benefited some groups of students more than others and that it has a negative effect on student motivation. There were significant changes in instructional time for some …

The Perceptions Of Math And Math Education In Midville, Illinois, David M. Lucas, Jamie Fugitt

The Rural Educator

By means of a qualitative research method known as folknography, a concerted effort was made to discern perceptions of math and math education in the rural Midwest. A community that will be referred to as Midville, located in the state of Illinois, was chosen as the target population for this study. The community and surrounding region stands over one hundred miles from the nearest metro complex. The study was conducted in May of 2006. After completion of the initial field work, data were collected, analyzed, and summarized, producing this document.

Rural School Leadership For Collaborative Community Development, Hobarat L. Harmon, Kai Schafft

The Rural Educator

In this article we address the role of rural schools in community development. We first discuss the largely historical linkages between rural schools and the communities they serve, and what this means for both school and community well-being. We then consider the newly revised standards for preparing school administrators, developed by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium, and how these standards may align with community-building efforts. In sum, we argue that enlightened educational leadership that seriously takes into account the 21st Century needs of students – as well as the communities in which they reside – cannot help but interpret …