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The Price Of Stability In Selfish Scheduling Games, Lucas Agussurja, Hoong Chuin Lau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Game theory has gained popularity as an approach to analysing and understanding distributed systems with self-interested agents. Central to game theory is the concept of Nash equilibrium as a stable state (solution) of the system, which comes with a price − the loss in efficiency. The quantification of the efficiency loss is one of the main research concerns. In this paper, we study the quality and computational characteristics of the best Nash equilibrium in two selfish scheduling models: the congestion model and the sequencing model. In particular, we present the following results: (1) In the congestion model: first, the best …

ศูนย์ภูมิรักษ์ธรรมชาติ

Thai Environment

No abstract provided.

การจัดการทรัพยากรน้ำในอ่างเก็บน้ำลำตะคอง กับการพัฒนาเมืองนครราชสีมา, เสาวนีย์ วิจิตรโกสุม

Thai Environment

No abstract provided.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Affects Kinematics During Walking, Ronaldo Celis, Iraklis Pipinos, Melissa Scott-Pandorf, Sara A. Myers, Nikolaos Stergiou, Jason Johanning

Journal Articles

Objective: Claudication is the most common manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) producing significant ambulatory compromise. The purpose of this study was to use advanced biomechanical analysis to characterize the kinematic ambulatory pattern of claudicating patients. We hypothesized that compared with control subjects, claudicating patients have altered kinematic gait patterns that can be fully characterized utilizing advanced biomechanical analysis.

Methods: The study examined fourteen PAD patients (age: 58 ± 3.4 years; weight: 80.99 ± 15.64 kg) with clinically diagnosed femoro-popliteal occlusive disease (Ankle Brachial Index (ABI): 0.56 ± 0.03, range 0.45 to 0.65) and five healthy controls (age: 53 ± …

Perspective-Taking In Adolescents With Asperger Syndrome And Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Caitlin Scaliatine

Masters Theses

Theory of mind is the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and other individuals, allowing us to predict the thoughts and feelings of others based on their behaviors. Research has established that individuals with Asperger syndrome (AS) experience difficulty with advanced theory of mind tasks; however, theory of mind abilities have not been evaluated for individuals with nonverbal learning disability (NVLD). The following test battery was administered to four adolescents with AS, five adolescents with NVLD, and five adolescents with neurotypical development to examine their theory of mind abilities: the Pragmatic Judgment and lriferences subtests from the Comprehensive Assessment …

Cloning, Overexpression, Purification And Characterization Of Gcp Ii Homologous Metalloprotein From Caulobacter Crescentus, Dilani Nilushika Gigiriwala Gamage

Masters Theses

A novel zinc metalloprotease gene isolated from Caulobacter crescentus (CCM) was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. A protease database search using MEROPS predicted this protein is a homolog of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II (GCP II), a zinc metalloprotease found in humans and many other organisms. GCP II is considered as a suitable target for treating stroke, neurological disorders and a biomarker for prostate cancer. Chromatographic purification of CCM produced pure protein in milligram quantities. Molecular weight detern1ination using MALDI-TOF showed 51,582 Da and the extinction coefficient was found to be 33,007 M"1cm·1. Metal analysis and substrate profiling showed neither sufficient …

Stability Of Heme Proteins: Cytochrome C And Horseradish Peroxidase, Mini Gupta

Masters Theses

A heme protein is a metalloprotein containing the heme prosthetic group. This prosthetic group is responsible for the wide range of biological functions found in heme proteins, from oxygen transport to electron transport. Moreover, heme proteins show a fascinating range of folding architectures, leading to their interest in research on structure-function relationships. The objective of this research in bioinorganic chemistry is to study the structural stability of two heme proteins, iron cytochrome c (Fecyt) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Absorbance spectroscopy is used to monitor the structural changes in the protein environment around the heme prosthetic group.

With just a change …

Electrochemical And Spectroscopic Characterization Of A Polypyridyl Ru(Ii) Complex Containing A Fused Alloxazine, Waynie Wilson Olaprath

Masters Theses

Phenanthroline pteridinedione (pptd) is an alloxazine derivative capable of 2e/ 2H+ transfer reactions. Coordination of pptd to a Ru(II) metal center allows for the synthesis of water-soluble metal complexes capable of being reduced by as many as 6 Hatoms making them candidates to be electrochemical mediators. This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of pptd and [Ru(bpy)2(pptd)](PF6)2(b py = 2,2-bipyridine). The dipyrido[3,2-a: 1' ,2' -c] phenazine (d ppz) and [Ru(bpy)2(d ppz) ](PF6)2 are also synthesized and studied in order to distinguish the properties of the free and coordinated pteridinedione-based pptd ligand from the well-characterized phenazine based ligand.

Detailed cyclic voltammetry, …

Ay 2008/2009 Sec Meeting Minutes, 2009-02-04, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Archives

No abstract provided.

The Bankruptcy Exchange, Douglas G. Baird

Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial & Commercial Law

No abstract provided.

Friend Or Foe Of The U.S. Labor Market: Why Congress Should Raise Or Eliminate The H-1b Visa Cap, Courtney L. Cromwell

Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial & Commercial Law

No abstract provided.

Molecular Structures And Pulsed Discharge Emission Studies Of Volatile Organic Compound Derivatives, Ashley Osthoff

Masters Theses

Understanding the structure and reactivity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and their derivatives is a fundamental concern in the study of atmospheric chemistry. Recently, a series of studies were done aimed at constructing and optimizing a rapid-scan, midinfrared spectrometer in order to study the structure and intermolecular interactions of these compounds. Visible emission spectroscopy was used to optimize the pulsed discharge nozzle that would be used within the infrared spectrometer. The emission spectra of toluene and xylene were used to characterize production of free radical compounds. In addition, control programs were written in the Lab VIEW programming language …

Gender And Performance In The Mathematics' Sections Of The Illinois Standards Achievement Test And The Prairie State Achievement Exam, Lindsey Leaf

Masters Theses

Despite criticisms about their inability to assess students' learning accurately, high stakes tests are currently used in the United States to measure student and teacher progress. Because of the need for schools to demonstrate students have achieved or maintained satisfactory progress, schools in Illinois regularly administer the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISA T) and Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE), despite limitations in the statistical and technical infonnation available for both of these tests. This study examined possible gender differences on the mathematics portion of the ISA T and PSAE by gathering data from one school district in Illinois. Findings indicated …

Not In My Backyard: On The Morality Of Responsibility Sharing In Refugee Law, Tally Kritzman-Amir

Brooklyn Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

Three Metaphors Of Norm Migration In International Context, Roderick A. Macdonald

Brooklyn Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

Exporting Morality With Trade Restrictions: The Wrong Path To Animal Rights, Gary Miller

Brooklyn Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

Incremental Validity Of Wisc-Iv Factor Scores In Predicting Academic Achievement On The Wiat-Ii, Shalena R. Meis

Masters Theses

This study examined the incremental validity of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV; Wechsler, 2003) factor scores in predicting reading and math achievement on the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Second Edition (WIAT-11; Wechsler, 2002). Participants included K-12 students in a medium sized Midwestern school district who underwent an evaluation using the WISC-IV and the WIAT-II. Block entry multiple regression analyses were used to examine whether the WISC-IV factor scores substantially improved the prediction ofreading or math achievement on the WIAT-11 above and beyond the contribution made by the FSIQ. Results indicated that the WISC-IV FSIQ accounted for the majority of …

Problem-Solving Skills Utilized By Graduating Engineers From A Baccalaureate Program To Solve Problems, James Welch

Theses and Dissertations

This study extends the knowledge of the problem-solving frameworks and skills used by graduating engineers (GE). The frameworks are comprehensive systematic processes that a GE uses to frame the problem. The problem-solving skills are mental and physical mechanisms, such as heuristics and flow charts. An in-depth qualitative study of 31 randomly selected graduating engineers from a state university was employed to obtain firsthand data on how GEs solved a specific problem scenario. The methodology of this study was an open running dialog between the researcher and the GE while the GE solved the standardized problem scenario. A one-sentence problem scenario …

Distributed Learning In Designing Curriculum In A One-To-One Computing Environment, Ronald H. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the access to, and use of, online resources, such as primary sources, lesson plans linked to standards, and participation in professional organizations and communities. The goal of this study was to examine how teachers have taken up the task of designing curriculum for delivery in classes where students have their own computers 24/7. It queried teachers about their theory of change linked to the implementation of one to one computing, the methods used to create and apply their own curriculum, and their orientation in general towards the use of technology in learning. It examined teachers' views …

The Number Of Permutations Realized By A Shift, Sergi Elizalde

Dartmouth Scholarship

A permutation $\pi$ is realized by the shift on N symbols if there is an infinite word on an N-letter alphabet whose successive left shifts by one position are lexicographically in the same relative order as $\pi$. The set of realized permutations is closed under consecutive pattern containment. Permutations that cannot be realized are called forbidden patterns. It was shown in [J. M. Amigó, S. Elizalde, and M. B. Kennel, J. Combin. Theory Ser. A, 115 (2008), pp. 485–504] that the shortest forbidden patterns of the shift on N symbols have length $N+2$. In this paper we give …

Mr. Sunstein's Neighborhood: Won't You Be Our Co-Author?, Tracey E. George, Paul H. Edelman

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

In Six Degrees of Cass Sunstein: Collaboration Networks in Legal Scholarship (11 Green Bag 2d 19 (2007)) we began the study of the collaboration network in legal academia. We concluded that the central figure in the network was Professor Cass Sunstein of Harvard Law School and proceeded to catalogue all of his myriad co-authors (so-called Sunstein 1's) and their co-authors (Sunstein 2's). In this small note we update that catalogue as of August 2008 and take the opportunity to reflect on this project and its methodology.

Corporate Voting, Paul H. Edelman, Robert B. Thompson

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

Discussion of shareholder voting frequently begins against a background of the democratic expectations and justifications present in decision-making in the public sphere. Directors are assumed to be agents of the shareholders in much the same way that public officers are representatives of citizens. Recent debates about majority voting and shareholder nomination of directors illustrate this pattern. Yet the corporate process differs in significant ways, partly because the market for shares permits a form of intensity voting and lets markets mediate the outcome in a way that would be foreign to the public setting and partly because the shareholders' role is …

Risk Culture Of Late Modernity? : Mass Tutoring Enrolment Of Hong Kong's Senior Secondary Students, Cheuk Wai, Jeffrey Cheung

Lingnan Theses

Mass tutoring on senior secondary curricula, with specific focus on examination syllabi and techniques, has expanded rapidly in Hong Kong in the recent decade. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews, conducted in summer 2007, with 20 certificate level (Secondary 4 and 5) and 21 advanced level (Secondary 6 and 7) students with various level of involvement in mass tutoring, this study discovered:

(1) Risk awareness and future-oriented mentality: Students expected that mass tutoring could help improve their performance in public examinations, and could secure good grades. To them, better grades mean higher chance to get a recognized qualification, fulfil their career aspiration, …

Prediction Markets And Law: A Skeptical Account, Rebecca Haw Allensworth

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

Enthusiasm for "many minds" arguments has infected legal academia. Scholars now champion the virtues of groupthink, something once thought to have only vices. It turns out that groups often outperform individuals in aggregating information, weighing alternatives, and making decisions. And although some of our legal institutions, such as Congress and juries, already harness the power of the crowd, others could be improved by multiplying the number of minds at work. "Multiplying" implies a simple mathematical formula for improving decisionmaking; modern many minds arguments are more sophisticated than that. They use incentive analyses, game theory, and statistics to study how and …

The Forensic Analysis Of Triacetone Triperoxide (Tatp) Precursors And Synthetic By-Products, Kimberly Painter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) is a primary high explosive that can be synthesized using commercially available starting materials and has grown in use among terrorists over the past several years. Additives present in the precursors were investigated to see if they carry through the TATP synthesis and can be detected in the final product potentially aiding in the identification of the source. Additives identified in the acetones were also identified in pre-blast and in some post-blast samples. However, these additives are present in trace quantities relative to the TATP, which coupled with the volatility and short lifetimes of some of the …

Categorical Perception Of Stop Consonants In Children With Autism, Laura Bourdeau

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine whether children with autism recognize the same perceptual voicing boundaries of stop consonants as normally developing children of the same age group. This was explored using three groups of participants: ten children with autism between the ages of 8-14, five typically developing children between the ages of 8-14, and five typically developing seven-year-old children. Children in all groups listened to initial stop consonant syllables with voicing contrasts, with voiced and voiceless cognates presented. The initial consonants were altered along a voice onset time continuum within the typically perceived boundaries of each consonant. …

Plato's Crito: A Deontological Reading, Lisa Sklar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plato's 'Crito' depicts Socrates in prison awaiting his execution and arguing that despite the injustice of his sentence, he is morally obligated to remain there so that it can be carried out. The early Socratic dialogues were concerned with the nature of the virtues which formed the foundation of Athenian morals. This "primacy of virtue" has developed into the modern theory of virtue ethics. In this thesis, I argue that in the 'Crito', Socrates sets aside his typical virtue ethics approach, and instead utilizes a deontological framework for his arguments. I apply the deontological theories of Immanuel Kant and W. …

Standing Waves Of Spatially Discrete Fitzhugh-Nagumo Equations, Joseph Segal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We study a system of spatially discrete FitzHugh-Nagumo equations, which are nonlinear differential-difference equations on an infinite one-dimensional lattice. These equations are used as a model of impulse propagation in nerve cells. We employ McKean's caricature of the cubic as our nonlinearity, which allows us to reduce the nonlinear problem into a linear inhomogeneous problem. We find exact solutions for standing waves, which are steady states of the system. We derive formulas for all 1-pulse solutions. We determine the range of parameter values that allow for the existence of standing waves. We use numerical methods to demonstrate the stability of …

Fostering Teacher's Conceptual Understanding Of Ordering, Adding, And Subtracting Fractions Through School-Based Professional Development, Jessica Maguhn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an attempt to examine my practice of providing conceptually-based professional development on fractions to fifth grade teachers, I conducted a series of four one hour professional development workshops. I focused on the conceptual understanding of ordering, adding, and subtracting fractions. I examined the solution process that teachers used to solve fraction problems and their abilities to explain and justify their solutions in an attempt to interpret their understanding. My data showed the effects of this workshop series. The study helped determine the effects of conceptually-based professional development on fractions as demonstrated in the teachers' discussions, participation, and written explanations.

Science Inquiry Kits And Teacher Preparedness To Teach Science As Inquiry In Elementary Classrooms, Angela Clayton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The National Science Education Standards (1996) indicate that science education should include inquiry instruction. Many teachers still struggle with how to implement inquiry in their classrooms and a lack of high quality inquiry-based instructional materials has been posited as a hindrance. The purpose of this qualitative study was to observe the instructional practices of three elementary teachers when using an inquiry-based science kit program in their fourth grade classrooms. Teacher practices and their attitudes towards their preparedness to teach science with the support of the curricular program were examined. Data were collected through pre/post survey comparisons, observations, and a focus …