Digital Commons Network^™

Bridged: An Autoethnography Exploring How An Alternative School For "At Risk" Middle And High School Youth Overcame The Achievement Gap, Michael Koeniger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this autoethnographic study was to discover how an alternative school for at-risk students, bridged the achievement gap. It used autoethnographic approaches to examine the factors that have led to the successes of an urban school. In this study, 19 graduates of Eastend School (all participant and institutional names are replaced with pseudonyms), three parents and six current and former staff members participated in unstructured, individual interviews and shared their experiences. Autoethnographic field notes were composed. Documents and artifacts relating to Eastend School were collected and studied. The collected data were generally coded and specifically coded until themes …

The Effect Of Elementary And Middle School Grade Span And Transition On Student Achievement And Graduation, Jeana Conley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social factors surrounding critical transition periods, school and class size, and grade configuration at the elementary level greatly impact current and future student performance. The expectation is that all of these factors are standard among schools, but in reality, every school is different; therefore, the potential for inconsistent quality of learning exists. This causal-comparative study explored the difference etween school size, grade span configuration, and transitions associated with a district’s seven elementary feeder schools in a small county in rural Western North Carolina. Differences in student performance, in both reading and math, at the elementary, middle, and high school level, …

Differences Between Elementary, Middle, And Secondary Teachers' Perceptions And Implementation Of Cooperative Learning Strategies, Ronald Fausnaugh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to find potential differences in perceptions toward cooperative learning implementation (expectancy of success, perceived value, and perceived cost) and current teaching practices among groups of teachers, using the Cooperative Learning Implementation Questionnaire (CLIQ) instrument developed by Abrami, Poulsen, and Chambers (1998). The participants were part of a convenience sample of elementary teachers, n = 60, middle school teachers, n = 44, and secondary teachers, n = 45 in seven central Ohio public school districts. The research utilized a MANOVA to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in mean CLIQ subscale …

Misspecification Of Variants Of Autoregressive Garch Models And Effect On In-Sample Forecasting, Olusanya E. Olubusoye, Olaoluwa S. Yaya, Oluwadare O. Ojo

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Generally, in empirical financial studies, the determination of the true conditional variance in GARCH modelling is largely subjective. In this paper, we investigate the consequences of choosing a wrong conditional variance specification. The methodology involves specifying a true conditional variance and then simulating data to conform to the true specification. The estimation is then carried out using the true specification and other plausible specification that are appealing to the researcher, using model and forecast evaluation criteria for assessing performance. The results show that GARCH model could serve as better alternative to other asymmetric volatility models.

Improved Ridge Estimator In Linear Regression With Multicollinearity, Heteroscedastic Errors And Outliers, Ashok Vithoba Dorugade

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

This paper introduces a new estimator, of ridge parameter k for ridge regression and then evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation. We examine the performance of the proposed estimators compared with other well-known estimators for the model with heteroscedastics and/or correlated errors, outlier observations, non-normal errors and suffer from the problem of multicollinearity. It is shown that proposed estimators have a smaller MSE than the ordinary least squared estimator (LS), Hoerl and Kennard (1970) estimator (RR), jackknifed modified ridge (JMR) estimator, and Jackknifed Ridge M‑estimator (JRM).

Multicollinearity And A Ridge Parameter Estimation Approach, Ghadban Khalaf, Mohamed Iguernane

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

One of the main goals of the multiple linear regression model, Y = Xβ + u, is to assess the importance of independent variables in determining their predictive ability. However, in practical applications, inference about the coefficients of regression can be difficult because the independent variables are correlated and multicollinearity causes instability in the coefficients. A new estimator of ridge regression parameter is proposed and evaluated by simulation techniques in terms of mean squares error (MSE). Results of the simulation study indicate that the suggested estimator dominates ordinary least squares (OLS) estimator and other ridge estimators with respect to …

Estimation Of Parameters Of Misclassified Size Biased Borel Distribution, Bhaktida S. Trivedi, M. N. Patel

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

A misclassified size-biased Borel Distribution (MSBBD), where some of the observations corresponding to x = c + 1 are wrongly reported as x = c with probability α, is defined. Various estimation methods like the method of maximum likelihood (ML), method of moments, and the Bayes estimation for the parameters of the MSBB distribution are used. The performance of the estimators are studied using simulated bias and simulated risk. Simulation studies are carried out for different values of the parameters and sample size.

Developing Bayesian-Based Confidence Bounds For Non-Identically Distributed Observations Using The Lyapunov Condition, Garry M. Jacyna, Scott L. Rosen

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

The purpose of this paper is to establish a direct method for assessing the confidence in the detection and identification probabilities for segmented observations that are not identically distributed across assigned segments within a region. This paper arrives at easily computable confidence intervals by showing through mathematical analysis that:

I. The probability of successful detection within each test segment can be characterized by a Beta distribution;
II. The distribution of a weighted sum of independent but non-identically distributed sample means is asymptotically Normally distributed by the Lyapunov variant of the Central Limit Theorem, i.e., the approximation improves as the number …

Jmasm40: Monte Carlo Simulations For Structural Equation Modelling (Revolution R), Sarah A. Rose, Barry Markman

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Revolution R code is presented to setup Structural Equation Model (SEM) for a Monte Carlo study. The example is a comparison of different fit indices.

Reflections Concerning Recent Ban On Nhst And Confidence Intervals, Grayson L. Baird, Sunny R. Duerr

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

This letter addresses some of the immediate consequences of Basic and Applied Social Psychology’s (BASP) ban on null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) and confidence intervals. The letter concludes with three suggestions to improve research in general.

A New Test For Correlation On Bivariate Nonnormal Distributions, Ping Wang, Ping Sa

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

A new method to conduct a right-tailed test for the correlation on bivariate non-normal distribution is proposed. The comparative simulation study shows that the new test controls the type I error rates well for all the distributions considered. An investigation of the power performance is also provided.

Jmasm42: An Alternative Algorithm And Programming Implementation For Least Absolute Deviation Estimator Of The Linear Regression Models (R), Suraju Olaniyi Ogundele, J. I. Mbegbu, C. R. Nwosu

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

We propose a least absolute deviation estimation method that produced a least absolute deviation estimator of parameter of the linear regression model. The method is as accurate as existing method.

Philosophers In Search Of Life..., David A. White

International Dialogue

If, after reading the above title, someone has ventured this far—the opening sentence—then he or she has doubtless conquered any urge to dismiss the contents of this piece (and do something else...) because the title is so blatantly silly. Onlya philosopher would be so sadly quixotic as to feel a need to become involved in a “search” for life. Dwelling in the realm of the living is where we humans spend all our waking hours. Furthermore, all of us settle into sleep for a greater or lesser amount of time and once in that state (discounting the differentiating factor of …

The Identification And Estimation Of A Large Factor Model With Structural Instability, Badi H. Baltagi, Chihwa Kao, Fa Wang

Center for Policy Research

This paper tackles the identification and estimation of a high dimensional factor model with unknown number of latent factors and a single break in the number of factors and/or factor loadings occurring at unknown common date. First, we propose a least squares estimator of the change point based on the second moments of estimated pseudo factors and show that the estimation error of the proposed estimator is Op(1). We also show that the proposed estimator has some degree of robustness to misspecification of the number of pseudo factors. With the estimated change point plugged in, consistency of the estimated number …

Retention Heterogeneity In New York City Schools, Douglas Almond, Ajin Lee, Amy Ellen Schwartz

Center for Policy Research

Performance on proficiency exams can be a key determinant of whether students are retained or "held back" in their grade. In New York City, passing the statewide proficiency exam essentially guarantees promotion, while roughly 13% of those students who fail the exam are retained. Using regression discontinuity methods, we find that female students are 25% more likely to be retained in their grade due to exam failure than boys. Hispanic students are 60% more likely and Black students 120% more likely to be retained due to exam failure (relative to White students). Poverty and previous poor performance also increase the …

Fuzzy Expert Systems: A More Human-Based Approach For Sensorial Evaluation Of Coffee-Bean Attributes To Derive Quality Scoring, Javier A. Livio

Theses and Dissertations

In the coffee industry, "cupping" is the process of sensorial evaluations of coffee beans, also known as Sample Evaluation. This process is done for three major reasons: to determine the actual sensory differences between coffee samples, to describe the flavors of the samples, and to determine preference of product. In totality, cupping targets the measurement of the coffee's quality related to fragrance, taste, and appearance which are expressed with a final numerical score. When cupping, the expert judge writes down the individual components' scores (fragrance, aftertaste, acidity, body, etc.) and ranks their intensities for reference. Despite the fact the cuppers …

On Characterizations And Infinite Divisibility Of Recently Introduced Distributions, Gholamhossein G. Hamedani

Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

We present here characterizations of the most recently introduced continuous univariate distributions based on: (i) a simple relationship between two truncated moments; (ii) truncated moments of certain functions of the 1^th order statistic; (iii) truncated moments of certain functions of the n^th order statistic; (iv) truncated moment of certain function of the random variable. We like to mention that the characterization (i) which is expressed in terms of the ratio of truncated moments is stable in the sense of weak convergence. We will also point out that some …

New Classes Of Univariate Continuous Exponential Power Series Distributions, M. Ahsanullah, Gholamhossein G. Hamedani, M. Shakil, B.M. Golam Kibria, F. George

Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Recently, many researchers have developed various classes of continuous probability distributions which can be generated via the generalized Pearson differential equation and other techniques. In this paper, motivated by the importance of the power series in probability theory and its applications, we derive some new classes of univariate exponential power series distributions for a realvalued continuous random variable, which we call exponential power series distributions. Various mathematical properties of the proposed classes of distributions are discussed. Based on these distributional properties, we have established some characterizations of these distributions as well. It is hoped that the findings of the paper …

Search For D^{0} Decays To Invisible Final States At Belle, Y.-T. Lai Et Al., D. Joffe, Ratnappuli L. Kulasiri

Faculty Articles

We report the result from the first search for D0 decays to invisible final states. The analysis is performed on a data sample of 924  fb−1 collected at and near the Υ(4S) and Υ(5S) resonances with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e− collider. The absolute branching fraction is determined using an inclusive D0 sample, obtained by fully reconstructing the rest of the particle system including the other charmed particle. No significant signal yield is observed and an upper limit of 9.4×10−5 is set on the branching fraction of D0 to invisible final states at 90% confidence level.

Observation Of Transverse Λ/Λ¯ Hyperon Polarization In E+E− Annihilation At Belle, A. Abdesselam Et Al., D. Joffe, Ratnappuli L. Kulasiri

Faculty Articles

We report the first observation of the polarization of Λ/Λ¯ hyperons transverse to its production plane in e+e− annihilation. We observe a significant polarization that rises with the fractional energy carried by the hyperon as well as its transverse momentum. To define the production plane, we use the direction of the hyperon momentum together with either the thrust axis in the event or the momentum vector of a hadron in the opposite hemisphere. Furthermore, we investigate the contributions to the hyperon polarization from the feed-down from Σ0/Σ¯0 and Λ±c decays. This measurement uses a dataset of 800.4\~fb−1 collected by the …

Planetary-Scale Low-Level Circulation And The Unique Development Of Hurricane Wilma In 2005, Jinwoong Yoo, Robert V. Rohli, Jennifer Collins

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Large‐scale atmospheric and oceanic conditions in the western Atlantic basin were analyzed to understand the unique tropical cyclogenesis (TCG) and intensification mechanism of Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the most intense Atlantic basin tropical cyclone (TC) on record. An analysis of 850 hPa circulations depicted in the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data suggests that anomalous development of the 850 hPa circulation pattern triggered by Hurricane Vince (October 8–11, 2005) contributed to the development of a large‐scale low‐level vortex that preceded Wilma's TCG in the eastern Caribbean. In particular, weakened easterly winds in the central …

Target And Beam-Target Spin Asymmetries In Exclusive Π+ And Π− Electroproduction With 1.6- To 5.7-Gev Electrons, P. E. Bosted, A. S. Biselli, S. Careccia, G. Dodge, R. Fersch, N. Guler, S. E. Kuhn, J. Pierce, Y. Prok, X. Zheng, K. P. Adhikari, D. Adikaram, Z. Akbar, M. J. Amaryan, S. Anefalos Pereira, G. Asryan, H. Avakian, R. A. Badui, J. Ball, N. A. Baltzell, M. Battaglieri, V. Batourine, I. Bedlinskiy, S. Boiarinov, W. J. Briscoe, S. Bültmann, V. D. Burkert, T. Cao, D. S. Carman, A. Celentano, Wesley P. Gohn

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Beam-target double-spin asymmetries and target single-spin asymmetries in exclusive π+ and quasiexclusive π− electroproduction were obtained from scattering of 1.6- to 5.7-GeV longitudinally polarized electrons from longitudinally polarized protons (for π+) and deuterons (for π−) using the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) at Jefferson Lab. The kinematic range covered is 1.1 < W < 2.6 GeV and 0.05 < Q² < 5 GeV², with good angular coverage in the forward hemisphere. The asymmetry results were divided into approximately 40 000 kinematic bins for π+ from free protons and 15 000 bins for π− production from bound nucleons in the deuteron. The …

The Public Interest And Mongolian Digital Television Transition, Undrah Baasanjav

SIUE Faculty Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Since 2010 Mongolian television has been in transition from analogue to digital.

This article introduces the process of digital transition of television, and then

discusses challenges television stations face in terms of the audio-visual market and

policies. The Mongolian media market has structural constraints typical to those

in the small media states. In addition, new challenges like the financial dependency

on the mining sector tax, an unsustainable number of politically affiliated

commercial television stations, and the remnants of socialist institutional routines

in media organizations also shape the television sector in Mongolia. The study

also explores the state of public interest …

Saliency Ratio And Power Factor Of Ipm Motors Optimally Designed For High Efficiency And Low Cost Objectives, Peng Zhang, Dan M. Ionel, Nabeel Demerdash

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This paper uses formal mathematical optimization techniques based on parametric finite-element-based computationally efficient models and differential evolution algorithms. For constant-power applications, in the novel approach described, three concurrent objective functions are minimized: material cost, losses, in order to ensure high efficiency, and the difference between the rated and the characteristic current, aiming to achieve very high constant-power flux-weakening range. Only the first two objectives are considered for constant-torque applications. Two types of interior permanent magnet rotors in a single- and double-layer V-shaped configuration are considered, respectively. The stator has the typical two slots per pole and phase distributed winding configuration. …

Making Is Thinking – How Doing Transforms Our Thinking Centric Paradigm Of Innovation And Education, Iain Kerr, Jason Frasca

Department of Management Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Making is thinking'. This is a much more radical claim than it might seem at first glance. It is not that making is simply critical to thinking (which is true), for to phrase it in this manner is to see making and thinking as two separate activi­ties. The claim Making is Thinking argues for something more fundamental-that the ve,y act of making is a form of thinking.

A Network Analysis Of Developmental Change In Adhd Symptom Structure From Preschool To Adulthood, Michelle M. Martel, Cheri A. Levinson, Julia K. Langer, Joel T. Nigg

Psychology Faculty Publications

Although there is substantial support for the validity of the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there is considerable disagreement about how to best capture developmental changes in the expression of ADHD symptomatology. This article examines the associations among the 18 individual ADHD symptoms using a novel network analysis approach, from preschool to adulthood. The 1,420 participants were grouped into four age brackets: preschool (ages 3–6, n = 109), childhood (ages 6–12, n = 548), adolescence (ages 13–17, n = 357), and young adulthood (ages 18–36, n = 406). All participants completed a multistage, multi-informant diagnostic process, and self and informant …

Site Layout Optimization Using Gis, Sulyn Gomez, Mohd Samrah, Jenan Almullaali

Purdue GIS Day

The aim of the research if to analyze the use of ArcGIS to optimize site layout and reduce the cost associated with the construction of a university campus by: - Optimizing the productivity of the equipment fleet after selecting the spatial position, type, and number of equipment with GIS. - Minimizing travel time (Noncontributory activity or waste) and maximizing labor productivity by selecting the spatial position and the number of warehouses. Although there are many temporary facilities in the construction site, the study is focused in managing warehouses and the lifting equipment (cranes). One important step for site layout optimization …

Influence Of Land Cover Type And The Reliability Of Selected Land Surface Models: A Comparison Of Wrf Version 3.6 Coupled To Clm Version 4.0, Noah-Mp, And The Bucket Hydrology, Andrew J. Kalin

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this study, the validity of 3 LSMs (Community Land Model version 4.0, Noah-MP and the Budyko Bucket Hydrology model [henceforth referred to as ‘Bucket model’]) coupled with the Weather Research and Forecasting model version 3.6 (WRF3.6), was examined in an effort to show the associated strengths and weaknesses of each LSM. This objective was completed by first, developing expected results based on a simple surface energy budget calculation, and by later comparing model output to Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) data, which serve as gridded observed values of mean monthly temperature and total monthly precipitation. Model output …

Spatial Continuous Biomass Burning Emission Inventory: Application To Wrf-Chem Model Over The Northern Sub-Saharan African Region, Yun Yue

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Fire, as a significant global source of trace gases and aerosol particles, plays an important role in perturbations of the chemical and physical properties of the atmosphere. Fire products from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor on polar-orbiting satellites Terra and Aqua are largely used in several emission inventories. However, the MODIS fire products have inherent limitations due to the following reasons: (a) they cannot detect fires underneath clouds; (b) the fire detection sensitivity decreases at the edge of MODIS scan where viewing angles and MODIS pixel sizes are bigger than at nadir; and (c) there are gaps between MODIS …

Interpreting Temperature- And Precipitation-Related Scientific Information For The Agricultural Community In The U.S. Corn Belt, Shuwei Dai

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Climate change has been widely recognized in the U.S. Corn Belt, but what does it really mean to the agricultural community? In an era of explosive information, isolating useful climate change data and interpreting these data in usable ways is critical to the success of the broad corn production industry. In this study, three key questions are answered: (1) How have temperature and precipitation changed in the Midwest since 1980? (2) What is the best method to estimate thermal time for corn when temperature data are limited to a daily timescale? and (3) What are the historical effects of temperature …