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- Title
- IMAGES OF PUERTO RICAN PARENTS AND ANGLO-AMERICAN TEACHERS TOWARD FIVE BILINGUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
- Creator
- BRYANT, RONALD MAXIE, Florida Atlantic University, Urich, Ted R., Cowgill, Robert
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of the descriptive study conducted in Orange County, Florida, was to determine what image Puerto Rican parents held toward five bilingual elementary schools and to compare those images with the images held by Anglo-American elementary teachers in the same schools. An eighty-item questionnaire, the School Image Description Questionnaire, developed by Don Croft at New Mexico State University, was used as the survey instrument. The instrument was mailed to a random sample of the two...
Show moreThe purpose of the descriptive study conducted in Orange County, Florida, was to determine what image Puerto Rican parents held toward five bilingual elementary schools and to compare those images with the images held by Anglo-American elementary teachers in the same schools. An eighty-item questionnaire, the School Image Description Questionnaire, developed by Don Croft at New Mexico State University, was used as the survey instrument. The instrument was mailed to a random sample of the two groups and eighty-seven questionnaires, sixty percent, were completed and returned. It was hypothesized that no significant differences existed between Puerto Rican parents and Anglo-American teachers at the .05 level on career preparation; socialization, or citizenship school goal variables. It was also hypothesized that no significant differences existed at the .05 level between Puerto Rican parents and Anglo-American teachers on the attributes of achievement motivation, school spirit, student friendliness, attend trade school, operative philosophy, cooperative philosophy, teacher friendliness, and openness. Findings indicated significant statistical differences existed in the images held by the two groups in regard to the school goal of socialization and the school attribute of cooperative philosophy. Significant differences did not exist between the groups on other goals or attributes. The major conclusions were as follows: (1) considerable incongruence existed between school goals as perceived by the Puerto Rican parents and the Anglo-American teachers; (2) Puerto Rican parents felt no anxiety or hostility toward the schools; (3) teacher friendliness as perceived by the Anglo-American teachers decreased as Hispanic student enrollment increased; (4) the teachers held a more direct, operative view of classroom management, while the parents held an image of the teacher as an advisor. The major recommendations included: (1) staff development on cross-cultural differences and nonverbal behavior; (2) increased parental involvement; (3) analysis of reasons for low ratings on openness and teacher friendliness; (4) additional research on achievement motivation, possible sex role differences, perceptions of Anglo-American parents toward school goals, and the perceptions of Puerto Rican parents who withdraw their children from bilingual programs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1982
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11821
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Facilitating and learning behavior in a secondary school travel studies program.
- Creator
- Rinker, David Bruce, Florida Atlantic University, MacKenzie, Donald G.
- Abstract/Description
-
This study examines the activities of 17 students and four teachers who participated in a 15 day study tour to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. It describes how the school staff, who planned and conducted this tour, accomplished their supervising, teaching and facilitating tasks. The study seeks to determine how the students learned during this academic program and how travel to a foreign country affected their learning. The researcher accomplished the study as a participant observer,...
Show moreThis study examines the activities of 17 students and four teachers who participated in a 15 day study tour to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. It describes how the school staff, who planned and conducted this tour, accomplished their supervising, teaching and facilitating tasks. The study seeks to determine how the students learned during this academic program and how travel to a foreign country affected their learning. The researcher accomplished the study as a participant observer, observing and interviewing students and staff while they were involved with the tour. Other data was collected by reviewing documents and analyzing responses to a questionnaire. Findings concerning the staff's participation are descriptive in nature. The researcher followed an analytic progression to describe actions of the school's board, administration and travel staff during the southern Africa program and describes what the staff's activities caused students to do. The investigation of student activities uses an interpretive approach to the analysis of collected data. It describes their activity and attributes intent to their behavior. Through the descriptions of the staff's activities and the analysis of the students' activities the researcher was able to answer the questions originally posed for the investigation; How do educators facilitate learning during foreign travel studies programs for a secondary school and how do students learn during these tours? The study found that the Lake Worth Christian School's staff developed and implemented the southern Africa program using procedures that were predetermined by school policy and procedures developed specifically for this particular trip and the students who were selected for it. The study found that the school staff utilized both classroom and experiential instruction methodology to prepare students for their encounters and to facilitate their learning in the field. With regard to students' learning activities the study found they accepted and understood the concept of experiential education. Students demonstrated an overwhelming enthusiasm for learning through direct involvement with their subject matter. The study confirmed a dominant social nature of the students' activities and suggested that the convivial atmosphere both attracted the students and enhanced their learning process. The study confirmed that, during the southern Africa program, learning behavior was affected by contrasts and similarities of student characteristics. Students demonstrated wide varieties of interest and significant differences in age and experience. The study also confirmed differences in student and staff approaches to subject matter they encountered within the various historical, cultural and natural sites. It found students approached information gathering differently in these disparate sites.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1997
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12541
- Subject Headings
- Foreign study--South Africa, Education, Secondary, Youth travel programs--South Africa, Experiential learning
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Experimental and theoretical characterization of near-threshold fatigue crack growth for high strength steels in seawater.
- Creator
- Yang, Jingjun., Florida Atlantic University, Hartt, William H., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
Near-threshold fatigue crack growth rate data were generated for six high strength steels at stress ratios of 0.5 and 0.8 under different environmental conditions, which included air, freely corroding in seawater, and cathodically polarized in seawater to -0.80v, -0.95v and -1.10v (vs SCE). The influence of stress ratio, loading frequency, magnitude of cathodic polarization and initial DeltaK on fatigue crack growth behavior for these high strength steels was experimentally characterized. The...
Show moreNear-threshold fatigue crack growth rate data were generated for six high strength steels at stress ratios of 0.5 and 0.8 under different environmental conditions, which included air, freely corroding in seawater, and cathodically polarized in seawater to -0.80v, -0.95v and -1.10v (vs SCE). The influence of stress ratio, loading frequency, magnitude of cathodic polarization and initial DeltaK on fatigue crack growth behavior for these high strength steels was experimentally characterized. The results disclosed general trends of fatigue crack growth under conditions relevant to offshore structure applications and circumscribed variables that are primarily influential with regard to service performance. The rate controlling processes and cracking mechanisms of near-threshold fatigue crack growth, particularly under cathodic polarization in seawater, were also studied in conjunction with crack mouth opening displacement measurements, fractographic observation and crack profile examination. The data and observations suggest that calcareous deposit induced closure was the rate-controlling factor for near-threshold fatigue crack growth under cathodic polarization in seawater although the cracking involved a brittle failure mechanism as a result of hydrogen embrittlement. With different FCGR determining procedures which included natural K-decreasing, enhanced K-decreasing, natural K-increasing and constant DeltaK, the FCGR under cathodic polarization in seawater was found to be time-dependent and, as such, was not a unique function of DeltaK but depended upon K-history or experimental procedures. These observations were consistent with results of a theoretical analysis which involved kinetics modeling of the interaction between fatigue crack growth and calcareous deposit thickening. The model also predicted the existence of an upper limit transition DeltaK, DeltaK Upp/T, between the Paris and threshold regions and it was found that the predicted DeltaK Upp/T was in agreement with the experimental one. The basis for applying this critical parameter (DeltaK Upp/T) to offshore structure designs was addressed in conjunction with experimental results.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1995
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12410
- Subject Headings
- Seawater corrosion, Steel--Fatigue, Steel--Fracture, Corrosion and anti-corrosives
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Fault-tolerant distributed shared memories.
- Creator
- Brown, Larry., Florida Atlantic University, Wu, Jie, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Distributed shared memory (DSM) implements a shared-memory programming interface on message-passing hardware. The shared-memory programming paradigm offers several advantages over the message-passing paradigm. DSM is recognized as an important technology for massively parallel computing. However, as the number of processors in a system increases, the probability of a failure increases. To be widely useful, the DSM must be able to tolerate failures. This dissertation presents a method of...
Show moreDistributed shared memory (DSM) implements a shared-memory programming interface on message-passing hardware. The shared-memory programming paradigm offers several advantages over the message-passing paradigm. DSM is recognized as an important technology for massively parallel computing. However, as the number of processors in a system increases, the probability of a failure increases. To be widely useful, the DSM must be able to tolerate failures. This dissertation presents a method of implementing fault-tolerant DSM (FTDSM) that is based on the idea of a snooper. The snooper monitors DSM protocol messages and keeps a backup of the current state of the DSM. The snooper can respond on behalf of failed processors. The snooper-based FTDSM is an improvement over existing FTDSMs because it is based on the efficient dynamic distributed manager DSM algorithm, does not require the repair of a failed processor in access the DSM, and does not query all nodes to rebuild the state of the DSM. Three snooper-based FTDSM systems are developed. The single-snooper (SS) FTDSM has one snooper and is restricted to a broadcast network. Additional snoopers are added in the multiple-snooper (MS) FTDSM to improve performance. Two-phase commit (2PC) protocols are developed to coordinate the activities of the snoopers, and a special data structure is used to store causality information to reduce the amount of snooper activity. Snooping is integrated with each processor in the integrated snooper (IS) FTDSM. The IS FTDSM is scalable because it is not restricted to a broadcast network. The concept of dynamic snooping is introduced for the IS FTDSM and several snooper migration algorithms are studied. Several recovery algorithms are developed to allow failed processors to rejoin the system. The properties of data structures used to locate owners and snoopers are studied and used to prove that the system can tolerate any single fault. A flexible method of integrating application-level recovery with the FTDSM is presented, and a reliability analysis is conducted using a Markov-chain modeling tool to show that the snooper-based FTDSM is a cost effective way to improve the reliability of DSM.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1993
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12349
- Subject Headings
- Fault-tolerant computing, Electronic data processing--Distributed processing, Parallel processing (Electronic computers), Computer networks
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Fault-tolerant routing in two-dimensional and three-dimensional meshes.
- Creator
- Chen, Xiao., Florida Atlantic University, Wu, Jie, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Mesh-connected multicomputers are one of the simplest and least expensive structures to build a system using hundreds and even thousands of processors. The nodes communicate with each other by sending and receiving messages. As the system gets larger and larger, it not only requires the routing algorithms be efficient but also fault-tolerant. The fault model we use in 2-D meshes is a faulty block while in 3-D meshes, the fault model is a faculty cube. In order to route messages through...
Show moreMesh-connected multicomputers are one of the simplest and least expensive structures to build a system using hundreds and even thousands of processors. The nodes communicate with each other by sending and receiving messages. As the system gets larger and larger, it not only requires the routing algorithms be efficient but also fault-tolerant. The fault model we use in 2-D meshes is a faulty block while in 3-D meshes, the fault model is a faculty cube. In order to route messages through feasible minimum paths, the extended safety level is used to determine the existence of a minimal path and faulty block (cube) information is used to guide the routing. This dissertation presents an in-depth study of fault-tolerant minimal routing in 2-D tori, 3-D meshes, and tree-based fault-tolerant multicasting in 2-D and 3-D meshes using extended safety levels. Also path-based fault-tolerant deadlock-free multicasting in 2-D and 3-D meshes is studied. In fault-tolerant minimal routing in 2-D meshes, if no faulty block is encountered, any adaptive minimal routing can be used until the message encounters a faulty block. The next step is guided by the faulty block information until the message gets away from the faulty block. After that, any minimal adaptive routing can be used again. The minimal routing in 2-D tori is similar to that in 2-D meshes if at the beginning of the routing a conversion is made from a 2-D torus to a 2-D mesh. The fault-tolerant minimal routing in 3-D meshes can be done in a similar way. In the tree-based multicasting in 2-D and 3-D meshes, a time-step optimal and traffic-step suboptimal algorithm is proposed. Several heuristic strategies are presented to resolve a conflict, which are compared by simulations. A path-based fault-tolerant deadlock-free multicast algorithm in 2-D meshes with inter-block distance of at least three is presented to solve the deadlock problem in tree-based multicast algorithms. The approach is then extended to 3-D meshes and to inter-block distance of at least two in 2-D meshes. The path is Hamiltonian that is only updated locally in the neighborhood of a faulty block when a faulty block is encountered. Two virtual channels are used to prevent deadlock in 2-D and 3-D meshes with inter-block (inter-cube) distance of at least three and two more virtual channels are added if the inter-block distance is at least two.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1999
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12597
- Subject Headings
- Fault-tolerant computing, Computer algorithms
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- High performance and robust control.
- Creator
- Xu, Min., Florida Atlantic University, Smith, Samuel M., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
It is desirable to have robust high performance nonlinear control with a model-free design approach for the real time automatic control of practical industrial processes. The field has seen the application of Sliding Mode Controllers (SMCs). SMCs are nonlinear robust controllers, however most design approaches related to SMCs are model-based approaches. PID controllers and some Fuzzy Logic Controllers (FLCs) are model-free controllers, however their robustness is not integrated into their...
Show moreIt is desirable to have robust high performance nonlinear control with a model-free design approach for the real time automatic control of practical industrial processes. The field has seen the application of Sliding Mode Controllers (SMCs). SMCs are nonlinear robust controllers, however most design approaches related to SMCs are model-based approaches. PID controllers and some Fuzzy Logic Controllers (FLCs) are model-free controllers, however their robustness is not integrated into their design parameters directly. This dissertation presents two new types of robust high performance nonlinear controllers with model-free design approaches. One introduces fuzzy logic to a model-free SMC which is a simple saturation function incorporating three design parameters. Due to the interpolative nature of fuzzy control, a TSK type FLC with the model-free SMCs as its rule's consequents will produce a controller with a nonlinear sliding curve and a nonlinear boundary layer. We call this controller a Fuzzy Sliding Controller (FSC). The other uses a new type of Variable Structure Controller (VSC), which intentionally switches from one controller to another controller during a step response. In conventional approaches to VSC, the control surface does not change its shape during a step response. The new type of VSC intentionally changes the shape of the control surface during the step response. This technique is analogous to that technique employed in image processing called "morphing" where a given image gradually changes over time to the image of a different entity. In order to avoid confusion with the conventional approach to a VSC, we use the term "Morphological" Controller (MC) for the VSC of the new type. The performance and robustness with respect to parameter variations, disturbances and slow sample rates of the proposed controllers are studied in detail with a DC motor and an Inverted Pendulum System. As a means to verify the proposed controllers in practical cases, we design the model-free SMC, the FSC and the MC for the highly nonlinear and uncertain dynamics of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Ocean Voyager II. It is shown that the proposed controllers are high performance and high robustness controllers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12446
- Subject Headings
- Nonlinear control theory, Automatic control, Feedback control systems, Feedforward control systems
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- High-speed acoustic communication in shallow water using spatio-temporal adaptive array processing.
- Creator
- Beaujean, Pierre-Philippe, Florida Atlantic University, LeBlanc, Lester R., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
A novel method of achieving stable high-speed underwater acoustic communication with a fairly low-complexity of implementation is proposed. The proposed approach is to split the space and time processing into two separate sub-optimal processes. As a result, processing complexity is significantly reduced and the instabilities associated with large tap vectors at large time-frequency spread products are reduced. The proposed space-time signal processing method utilizes a different beamformer...
Show moreA novel method of achieving stable high-speed underwater acoustic communication with a fairly low-complexity of implementation is proposed. The proposed approach is to split the space and time processing into two separate sub-optimal processes. As a result, processing complexity is significantly reduced and the instabilities associated with large tap vectors at large time-frequency spread products are reduced. The proposed space-time signal processing method utilizes a different beamformer optimization strategy compared to the time domain optimization strategy. This allows to separately adjust the adaptation parameters for the spatial and temporal characteristics of the signal, which have vastly different requirements. The time domain signal is subject to variations in phase that require rapid filter updates whereas the directional characteristics of the signal do not vary appreciably over the message length and do not require a rapid adaptation response. The proposed method allows for high-speed underwater acoustic communication in very shallow water using coherent modulation techniques, and offers a series of unique features: significant reduction of the signal-to-noise and interference ratio (SNIR), improvement of the bandwidth efficiency by reduction of the forward-error coding redundancy requirements, real-time evaluation of the time-spread by Doppler spread product (BL) and channel stability estimate. Experimental results demonstrate that stable acoustic communication can be achieved at rates of 32000 bits per second at a distance of 3 km, in 40 feet of water and in sea-state 2 conditions. Fast and slow fading properties of the channel are measured, as the BL product can vary by a decade in 116 ms, and by two decades within minutes, from 0.001 to 0.1. The real-time analysis shows a strong correlation between time spread, Doppler spread, spatial coherence of the acoustic channel and communication performance. Overall, this research provides more scientific and experimental ground to understand the limitations of multi-channel adaptive receiver techniques in terms of stability, hardware requirements and channel tracking capability.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11952
- Subject Headings
- Underwater acoustic telemetry, Adaptive signal processing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN RIVER JUNIOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 1960 - 1978.
- Creator
- LUNCEFORD, CHARLES RAYMOND., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The purpose of this study is to trace the historical circumstances surrounding the establishment, growth, and development of Indian River Junior Community College (IRJCC) during the years 1960-78. It is primarily chronological in organization and is concerned with identifying those factors and trends that have most significantly affected the process of change: how the educational philosophy changed as the College moved from a junior to a community college; how the aims and objectives changed...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to trace the historical circumstances surrounding the establishment, growth, and development of Indian River Junior Community College (IRJCC) during the years 1960-78. It is primarily chronological in organization and is concerned with identifying those factors and trends that have most significantly affected the process of change: how the educational philosophy changed as the College moved from a junior to a community college; how the aims and objectives changed as the College expanded its facilities and programs; how the governance of the College was transferred from the St. Lucie County Board of Public Instruction to the District Board of Trustees; how the organizational structure changed as the College kept pace with the growth by better utilization of personnel; and, how College programs changed as the need for Vocational-Technical and Continuing Education was recognized. Indian River Junior College (IRJC), a publicly-supported two-year institution, was authorized by law during the 1959 session of the Florida Legislature. The College was established in Fort Pierce to serve the four-county area of St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. With Dr. Maxwell C. King as first President, the College opened its doors to students in temporary facilities on 6 September 1960. In 1963, the College moved to its present campus located at 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce. In 1965, the administration, faculty, staff, and students of Lincoln Junior College, established to serve the Negro community in the four-county area, was merged with IRJC. The College, under the original law, was governed by the St. Lucie County Board of Public Instruction. By an act of the 1968 Florida Legislature, a District Board of Trustees, appointed by the Governor, was established, and it took control 1 July 1968. With their appointment of Dr. Herman A. Heise as second President on 13 August 1968, the College rapidly expanded. The legal name of the College was changed to Indian River Community College when a Resolution was adopted by the District Board of Trustees on 20 October 1970. The present name was adopted in an effort to better reflect the scope and objectives of the College: a comprehensive community college dedicated to meeting the educational needs of its service area. The College provided a two-year college program for transfer to an upper level college or university, provided programs in the vocational and technical areas that aided students in securing employment in business and industry, provided an opportunity for adults to complete a high school degree, and provided continuing education courses on-campus and at numerous off-campus locations in the four-county area. Personnel, Student Activities, and Financial Resources were also investigated. Personnel grew from an original administrative staff of five and a full and part-time faculty of sixteen in 1960 to twenty administrators and 335 full and part-time faculty employed by the College in 1978. The Student Activities part of the study focuses on student organizations and athletics, what the College provided for the students, and what honors and recognition the students brought to the College through their accomplishments. The section on Financial Resources illustrates the financial growth of the College by utilizing Financial Report Charts. In summary, the purpose of the study is to produce a meaningful record of the establishment, growth, and development of IRJCC in the areas of Educational Programs, Physical Facilities, Personnel, Student Activities, and Financial Resources. The record suggests that the establishment, growth, and development of the institution was in each case a response to the needs or the perceived needs of the larger community (the State of Florida) and the local community (the four counties).
Show less - Date Issued
- 1980
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11754
- Subject Headings
- Indian River State College--History, Community colleges--Florida--History
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- HUMAN GENETICS LABORATORY MANUAL.
- Creator
- BUTLER, CAROL S., Florida Atlantic University, Stewart, Herbert H.
- Abstract/Description
-
The author prepared a college sophomore level genetics laboratory manual. The laboratory exercises are unique in that the student studies human organisms instead of the usual non-human plants and animal specimens. The one exception is "Polytene Chromosomes," in which the student studies Drosouhila. Most of the exercises are original; "Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes" and "Polytene Chromosomes," however, are revisions of portions of existing laboratory experiments. The manual should appeal to...
Show moreThe author prepared a college sophomore level genetics laboratory manual. The laboratory exercises are unique in that the student studies human organisms instead of the usual non-human plants and animal specimens. The one exception is "Polytene Chromosomes," in which the student studies Drosouhila. Most of the exercises are original; "Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes" and "Polytene Chromosomes," however, are revisions of portions of existing laboratory experiments. The manual should appeal to biology, physical anthropology, physical education, and psychology majors, and should be especially helpful to students planning careers in the medical professions. A knowledge of first year biology, elementary chemistry and mathematics including basic probability and statistics should be prerequisites. The twelve laboratory exercises assume that the student has had little exposure to genetics in the first year general biology course. The first three exercises, "The Physical Basis of Heredity," "Phenotypic Observations, Genotypic Deductions, Inheritance Predictions," and "Pedigree Chart in Genetic Analysis" are interesting, uncomplicated sessions which should give the students an anticipation of the semester's work. The fourth and fifth experiments are methods of determining femaleness in epithelial mucosal cells and in polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Exercise six, "A General Approach to Genetic Counseling," is not usually included in Human Genetics texts. It gives the student opportunity for personal growth and for professional consideration. The seventh exercise, "Lymphocyte Cultures," is divided into two sessions. Although the two parts are long, they are worth doing for the experience in exact timing and measurements, sterile techniques, proper dehydration, staining, and mounting that produce very fine permanent slides of the students' own chromosomes. For more detail of chromosomes, "Polytene Chromosomes" is included. Although prosophila is substituted for Homo sapiens in this laboratory session, the exercise is worthy of inclusion to provide additional experience in microtechnique and histological procedures as added knowledge for the second year student. The following exercise, "Human Chromosomes," properly is for two sessions. The student may go through the procedures of preparing his own karyotype, or he may prepare a karyotype of an unknown individual. The student learns the human chromosomes as defined by arm length and centromere position. "Dermatoglyphics" is interesting in that it shows sexual dimorphisms. Students so inclined may go on with the genetic similarities of races and of geographical areas as evidencep by dermatoglyphics. By the time the last two exercises are to be performed, the students are prepared for the complexity of "Hemoglobin Polymorphism in Selected Human Populations" and "Specific Genomes and the Degree of Relatedness." With the continuation of genetic research, the possibilities for additional exercises are almost limitless.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1974
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11642
- Subject Headings
- Human genetics--Study and teaching
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- IDENTIFICATION OF COMMON FACTORS LEADING TO SUCCESS IN THE WESTINGHOUSE COMPETITION IN THE POST NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION FUNDING ERA AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION-MAKERS.
- Creator
- TALBERT, MELVIN, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
It was the purpose of this study to describe the common factors at select high-performing high schools leading to student success in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search Competition. A review of the literature indicated that some high schools have a high success rate in producing Westinghouse winners. The identified factors were translated into administrative practices which may foster success in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search Competition. The instrument used to determine...
Show moreIt was the purpose of this study to describe the common factors at select high-performing high schools leading to student success in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search Competition. A review of the literature indicated that some high schools have a high success rate in producing Westinghouse winners. The identified factors were translated into administrative practices which may foster success in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search Competition. The instrument used to determine commonalities was a twenty-two item questionnaire that probed the nature and function of the school's science research program. In addition, six schools were identified for an in-depth case study. Among the findings of the study are the following factors present in each of the successful programs: (1) a highly motivated and talented teacher who promoted enthusiasm; (2) teachers with advanced degrees in science; (3) teachers who kept themselves abreast of recent advances by reading journals and periodicals; (4) teachers who were free from homeroom or bus assignments in exchange for running the program; (5) successful programs without exorbitant facilities or equipment; (6) interested and talented students; and (7) a variety of competitions in which students participated. The major conclusion reached is that the most important ingredient in administering a successful science research program is having an interested and talented teacher who is able to promote enthusiasm for and originality in science. The major recommendations for School Boards and Superintendents who wish to provide a successful science research program are as follows: (1) Identify gifted and talented science students who are afforded equal opportunity to science research programs; (2) Organize science research programs that are based at the district level; (3) Seek state funding that is targeted to those districts without the resources to provide library and laboratory experiences; (4) Encourage school administrators who observe the following guidelines: (1) Establish a policy which supports science research programs at the high school level; (2) Recognize the fact that not any teacher can fulfill this position. Therefore, identify and recruit teachers with the necessary enthusiasm and commitment to coordinate this type of program; (3) Delegate the responsibility for the program to the person selected; (4) Provide released time for the coordinator of the program; (5) Seek community support; (6) Evaluate the program and the coordinator periodically.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1986
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11887
- Subject Headings
- Science--Study and teaching (Secondary), Science--Scholarships, fellowships, etc
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- THE LIFE AND WORKS OF BERTITA CARLA CAMILLE LEONARZ HARDING.
- Creator
- WOCKLEY, KATHY KIRRY., Florida Atlantic University, Cook, Joseph B., Kolinski, Charles J.
- Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this study was to assemble the facts, synthesize the elements -- personal, literary, and cultural -- and evaluate the significance of these related factors as they pertain to the life and works of Bertita Carla Camille Leonarz Harding. The study followed the career of Bert ita Harding from birth to death, demonstrating how the American author distinguished herself in the literary field with her romantic historical biographies, autobiography, and travelogues, thus indicating how...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to assemble the facts, synthesize the elements -- personal, literary, and cultural -- and evaluate the significance of these related factors as they pertain to the life and works of Bertita Carla Camille Leonarz Harding. The study followed the career of Bert ita Harding from birth to death, demonstrating how the American author distinguished herself in the literary field with her romantic historical biographies, autobiography, and travelogues, thus indicating how her works contribute to the world's literary history. The facts on which this writer has relied were obtained from a number of interviews in Mexico City, Mexico, Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana; from newspaper articles throughout the United States, Mexico, Cuba, England, and Germany; from the author's books as follows: Phantom Crown: The Story of Maximilian and Carlota of Mexico, Amazon Throne: The Story of the Braganzas of Brazil, Age Cannot Wither: The Story of Duse and D'Annunzio, Concerto: The Glowing Story of Clara Schumann, Farewell 'Toinette: The Story of Marie Antoinette, Golden Fleece: The Story of Franz Joseph and Elizabeth of Austria, Hungarian Rhapsody: The Portrait of an Actress, Imperial Twilight: The Story of Karl and Zita of Hungary, The Land Columbus Loved: The Dominican Republic, Lost Waltz: A Story of Exile, Magic Fire: Scenes Around Richard Wagner, Mosaic in the Fountain, Royal Purple: The Story of Alexander and Drag a of Serbia, and Southern Empire: Brazil; from memoirs and manuscripts generously supplied by Pedro Leonarz, nephew of Bertita Harding; from papers and letters in the Bobbs-Merrill Company files, Indiana University Lilly Library files, and Indiana State Library files; and through telephone conversations and letters from individuals who knew Bertita Harding personally and had recollections and reactions relating to pertinent factors. The writer categorizes Bertita Harding's fourteen books and harmonizes the relative subject matter. Further, she relates the author to the time in which she lived and her works to her culture. Since Bertita Harding's life was so related to the subject matter of her works, the writer reveals those elements in her writing that were pertinent in her life, which encompassed the years 1902 through 1971. The works of Bertita Harding are listed in the following categories: (1) biographies -- eleven chronicles of persons -- Phantom Crown, Amazon Throne, Age Cannot Wither, Concerto, Farewell 'Toinette, Golden Fleece, Hungarian Rhapsody, Imperial Twilight, Lost Waltz, Magic Fire, and Royal Purple; (2) autobiography -- Mosaic in the Fountain -- an analysis of nine years of the author's childhood; and (3) non-fiction -- two travelogues -- The Land Columbus Loved and Southern Empire: Brazil -- written in a style combining history, economics, politics, geography, guidebook, and interpretation. The study specifically supports the hypothesis that the life and works of Bertita Harding are highly integrated. The subject matter, style, and final product of these biographies, autobiography, and travelogues were a composite from the pen of a talented woman -- a unique socialite, world traveler, lecturer, historian, and linguist. She applied these elements as a catalyst to authorship and through a body of literary works reflected her predilection for nineteenth century subject matter and projected them into the twentieth century culture. In that context the writer concludes that there is more than ample evidence that Bertita Harding's books offer the potential of some very "rich" historical material to help history "live" for students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1977
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11690
- Subject Headings
- Harding, Bertita--Criticism and interpretation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Mobility power flow (MPF) approach applied to fluid-loaded shells with ring discontinuities.
- Creator
- McCain, Thomas Scott., Florida Atlantic University, Cuschieri, Joseph M., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The vibrational and acoustic characteristics of fluid-loaded, cylindrical shells with single or multiple, aperiodically-spaced ring discontinuities are studied using an approach based on the mobility power flow (MPF) method and a hybrid numerical/analytical method for the evaluation of the velocity Green's function of the shell. The discontinuities are associated with internal structures coupled to the shell via ring junctions. The approach is a framework allowing alternative shell and/or...
Show moreThe vibrational and acoustic characteristics of fluid-loaded, cylindrical shells with single or multiple, aperiodically-spaced ring discontinuities are studied using an approach based on the mobility power flow (MPF) method and a hybrid numerical/analytical method for the evaluation of the velocity Green's function of the shell. The discontinuities are associated with internal structures coupled to the shell via ring junctions. The approach is a framework allowing alternative shell and/or internal structure models to be used. The solution consists of the net vibrational power flow between the shell and internal structure(s) at the junction(s), the shell's velocity Green's function, and the far-field acoustic pressure. Use of the MPF method is advantageous because the net power flow solution can be used as a diagnostic tool in ascertaining the proper coupling between the shell and internal structure(s) at the junction(s). Results are presented for two canonical problems: an infinite, thin cylindrical shell, externally fluid-loaded by a heavy fluid, coupled internally to: (1) a single damped circular plate bulkhead, and (2) a double bulkhead consisting of two identical damped circular plates spaced a shell diameter apart. Two excitation mechanisms are considered for each model: (1) insonification of the shell by an obliquely-incident, acoustic plane wave, and (2) a radial ring load applied to the shell away from the junction(s). The shell's radial velocity Green's function and far-field acoustic pressure results are presented and analyzed to study the behavior of each model. In addition, a comparison of these results accentuates the qualitative difference in the behavior between the single and multiple junction models. When multiple internal structures are present, the results are strongly influenced by inter-junction coupling communicated through the shell and the fluid. Results are presented for circumferential modes n = 0 & 2. The qualitative differences in the results for modes n = 0 and n = 2 (indicative of all modes n > 0ified in the far-field acoustic pressure and velocity Green's function response with the characteristics of the shell and internal plate bulkhead. The results for the single junction model demonstrate the significance of the shell's membrane waves on the reradiation of acoustic energy from the shell; however, when multiple junctions are present, inter-junction coupling results in a significant broad acoustic scattering pattern. Using the results and analysis presented here, a better understanding can be obtained of fluid-loaded shells, which can be used to reduce the strength of the acoustic pressure field produced by the shell.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12490
- Subject Headings
- Shells (Engineering)--Vibration, Cylinders--Vibration, Fluid dynamics, Sound--Transmission
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Modal analysis of plates with uncertain properties: Theory and applications.
- Creator
- Wu, Jingshu., Florida Atlantic University, Stevens, Karl K., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
This dissertation is concerned with modal analysis of plates with properties which vary over the structures. The uncertain geometric and material parameters are treated as random fields which are discretized over individual regions by using a local averaging technique. These discretized properties are then combined with a random perturbation procedure based upon traditional finite element methods. The result is a stochastic finite element method (SFEM) program for modal analysis of plates....
Show moreThis dissertation is concerned with modal analysis of plates with properties which vary over the structures. The uncertain geometric and material parameters are treated as random fields which are discretized over individual regions by using a local averaging technique. These discretized properties are then combined with a random perturbation procedure based upon traditional finite element methods. The result is a stochastic finite element method (SFEM) program for modal analysis of plates. This SFEM method is applied to two problems areas. The first application is to provide a new approach for modal analysis of printed circuit boards wherein the circuit board is modeled as an elastic plate with random spatial variation of its properties. The SFEM program is used to predict the effect of this variation on the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the board. Predicted results are compared with those obtained from modal testing of a circuit board. It is shown that variations between the measured and predicted modal parameters can be accounted for by small random variations in the board properties. This approach offers a simple, realistic, and cost-effective way for prediction of board modal properties. The second application is on vibration control of plates by application of surface viscoelastic damping treatments. Existing works generally treat the geometric and material properties of the damping layer as deterministic parameters, although uncertainties in the values of these parameters are commonplace. No work has been done regarding surface damping treatments with uncertain properties. In this thesis, the modal properties of plates with random spatial variation of the damping layer properties are investigated. The effects of this variation on the system natural frequencies, modal loss factors, and mode shapes are calculated by the SFEM program developed. Results are presented for a cantilever aluminum plate with complete PVC surface damping treatment with uncertain properties. In the SFEM modeling of both PC boards and plates with surface damping treatments, the effects on the system eigenvalues/eigenvectors of the correlation distance of the random property field, the correlation constant between the random fluctuations, and the magnitude of the random property variations, are investigated.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1993
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12335
- Subject Headings
- Modal analysis, Stochastic processes, Finite element method, Plates (Engineering)--Testing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Migratory Behavior of Hatchling Sea Turtles: Evidence for Population-Specific Divergence in the Loggerhead (Caretta caretta L.).
- Creator
- Madrak, Sheila Veronica, Salmon, Michael, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
Migratory bird and insect populations show differences in orientation direction, timing, and distances moved depending upon where they reside in relation to their migratory goals. These differences presumably occur because of selection for behavioral responses that promote the most efficient migratory strategies among members of each population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether migratory behavior in loggerhead hatchlings differs between populations that exit nesting beaches...
Show moreMigratory bird and insect populations show differences in orientation direction, timing, and distances moved depending upon where they reside in relation to their migratory goals. These differences presumably occur because of selection for behavioral responses that promote the most efficient migratory strategies among members of each population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether migratory behavior in loggerhead hatchlings differs between populations that exit nesting beaches on the East and West coast of Florida. When the turtles emerge from the nests, they initially show a swimming "frenzy" that serves to distance individuals from shallow coastal waters, displacing them toward oceanic currents that are used to transport the turtles to the North Atlantic Gyre. On the East coast of Florida, turtles swim eastward toward the Florida Current (western portion of the Gulf Stream) located relatively close to the shoreline (on average, 2 km offshore at Miami to 33 km offshore at Melbourne Beach). On the West coast of Florida, turtles swim westward toward the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico, which is located farther offshore (150 km offshore at St. Petersburg to over 200 km offshore at the Everglades National Park). In a previous study, we demonstrated that for East coast loggerheads, the frenzy consists of continuous swimming for - 24 h, followed over the next 5 days by postfrenzy (diurnal, with little nocturnal) swimming activity. No comparable data exist that characterize the frenzy period of loggerheads from the West coast ofFlorida. We used identical methods to quantify the migratory activity of hatchlings from the West coast of Florida. Hatchlings were captured as they emerged from nests located between Venice and Sarasota, Florida. They were then tethered in water-filled pools under laboratory conditions, where temperature and photoperiod could be controlled to duplicate conditions used when studying the East coast turtles. Activity was continuously recorded over the next six days. The data were analyzed to determine the proportion of time the turtles spent swimming every day, and the proportion of that swimming activity that occurred during the light and dark period of each day. Turtl~s from each coast showed no statistical difference in the proportion oftime spent swimming each day. However, after day 1, West coast hatchlings showed statistically lower levels of swimming activity during the day and statistically higher levels of swimming activity at night than did turtles from the East coast. We hypothesize that these differences may reflect a more diffuse period of active "searching" for appropriate oceanic currents by the West coast turtles, under conditions where greater predation pressures might select for more movement under conditions of darkness. Such a response may be appropriate when migratory goals are located at greater distances, and when turtles must migrate farther from the coast to reach deeper, and presumably less predator-rich, waters.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000792
- Subject Headings
- Animal migration--Florida, Sea turtles--Migration--Florida, Predation (Biology), Animal orientation--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Electromagnetic scattering from a periodic array of open-ended rectangular waveguide apertures.
- Creator
- Bohning, Terry., Florida Atlantic University, Helmken, Henry, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Abstract/Description
-
In this dissertation, the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of a large periodic array of rectangular open-ended waveguide apertures is determined numerically using several methods. The aperture boundaries are presumed to be Perfect Electrical Conductors (PEC). Although the problems of radiation from such a waveguide array and of aperture array scattering have been treated in the literature, the problem of scattering from an array of waveguide apertures does not appear to have been solved before....
Show moreIn this dissertation, the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of a large periodic array of rectangular open-ended waveguide apertures is determined numerically using several methods. The aperture boundaries are presumed to be Perfect Electrical Conductors (PEC). Although the problems of radiation from such a waveguide array and of aperture array scattering have been treated in the literature, the problem of scattering from an array of waveguide apertures does not appear to have been solved before. Considering the case of an array with constituent guides of semi-infinite length, the RCS is computed by several numerical methods based on the Integral Equation (IE) method, a least-squared error minimization technique referred to as Squared Field Error (SFE) method, direct solution of a surface integral equation, the Spectral Domain Method, and by using waveguide modes computed via the Finite Element Method (FEM). The case of finite-length guides is also treated using the IE and SFE methods. The results of these methods are compared with experimental data obtained from an outdoor RCS range. In order to simulate the semi-infinite case, the finite-length waveguides were terminated with radar absorbing foam so that nearly all reflection occurred at the apertures impinged upon by the incident plane wave. For all the methods cited, the infinite array approximation (cell-to-cell field periodicity except for a linear progressive interelement phase shift) is assumed to hold. A derivation of Floquet modes which implement this "phase-periodic" boundary condition is provided in an appendix, where an incidental discussion concerning the scalar and vector Laplacian operators is also furnished. A description of the structure and user interface of the software which has been written to implement the various methods is also given. The purposes of major subroutines and data structures are also delineated and several control-flow diagrams are included. As a foundation to extend the present work to analysis of the electromagnetic fields within an absorber coated PEC waveguide, a brief survey and a discussion of related work is provided.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1992
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12308
- Subject Headings
- Wave guides, Electromagnetic fields
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Employment rates and average wage of Targeted Jobs Tax Credit participants in Florida compared to selected Job Training Partnership Act participants by target groups.
- Creator
- Gnage, David Charles, Florida Atlantic University, Thai, Khi V.
- Abstract/Description
-
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the third quarter 1992 employment rates and average wages of individuals who were Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC) certified in Florida during the third quarter of 1987. The employment rates and average wages were compared to a select group of individuals who were released for employment in Florida by the Jobs Training Partnership Act (JTPA) during the same time period. The primary research question concerned the effectiveness of the TJTC...
Show morePurpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the third quarter 1992 employment rates and average wages of individuals who were Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC) certified in Florida during the third quarter of 1987. The employment rates and average wages were compared to a select group of individuals who were released for employment in Florida by the Jobs Training Partnership Act (JTPA) during the same time period. The primary research question concerned the effectiveness of the TJTC program, a tax expenditure program, compared to the direct budget program JTPA. Problem. The social goal of both programs was to encourage firms to hire those individuals who traditionally experience high unemployment rates. The TJTC approach was intended to increase employment incentives to employers to recruit, hire, and train members of specific target groups. In general, JTPA provides training then releases the individual for employment. Critics of TJTC have claimed that the employers have hired individuals who they would have hired anyway (windfalls) or that they have laid off non-target group members (substitutions). Employers have also been criticized for not providing the necessary training to provide for long term employment. Methodology. The study examined the employment records of four sets of individuals: (1) individuals who were TJTC vouchered but not certified, (2) individuals who were TJTC certified, (3) individuals who completed JTPA training and were not TJTC eligible, and (4) individuals who completed JTPA training, were TJTC eligible but not vouchered. This study included five target groups: disadvantaged youth; disadvantaged ex-convicts; AFDC recipients; disadvantaged Vietnam veterans; and vocational rehabilitation referrals. The economic status was identified as employment rates and mean wages. Both chi-square and log-linear analysis were used to compare the employment rates for each target group and each race, for both TJTC and JTPA one program was more effective in increasing the probability of future employment. Variance analysis was used to determine if one program was more effective in increasing future compensation for members of a target group. Findings. TJTC served many more individuals than JTPA across of the five target groups. JTPA may increase the probability of employment for AFDC recipients and Whites. The mean wage was found to be independent of both TJTC and JTPA. The disadvantaged Vietnam Veterans had the highest mean wage and the AFDC recipient the lowest. The mean wage for Blacks was found to be lower than that of other races.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1993
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12356
- Subject Headings
- New jobs tax credit--United States, Occupational retraining--Law and legislation--United States, Employees--Training of
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Mechanisms of Coexistence Between Two Octopus Species In A South Florida Lagoon.
- Creator
- Bennice, Chelsea, Brooks, W. Randy, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Theoretically, sympatric species must partition resources or space to allow for coexistence. Determining empirically the specific resources each species exploits and species’ interactions (e.g., intra- and interspecific competition) can sometimes be challenging, thus the data are relatively sparse for certain taxa. This paucity of data exists for octopuses. Therefore, I chose to study niches of two sympatric octopuses (Octopus vulgaris and Macrotritopus defilippi) in an intracoastal habitat....
Show moreTheoretically, sympatric species must partition resources or space to allow for coexistence. Determining empirically the specific resources each species exploits and species’ interactions (e.g., intra- and interspecific competition) can sometimes be challenging, thus the data are relatively sparse for certain taxa. This paucity of data exists for octopuses. Therefore, I chose to study niches of two sympatric octopuses (Octopus vulgaris and Macrotritopus defilippi) in an intracoastal habitat. Specifically, I assessed (1) spatial distribution of octopus home or “den” space, (2) habitat association, (3) octopus abundance, (4) foraging activity periods, (5) diet, and (6) associated substrates and behaviors used during foraging events. Octopus den locations were marked by GPS to quantify spatial patterns of both species and their spatial relationship to each other. Habitat associations were measured by quantifying photoquadrats of den and surrounding habitats. For foraging activity periods, a video camera was placed near an octopus den for 24-h observation to determine when each octopus species leaves/returns from foraging. Underwater video recording was used to determine associated foraging substrates and behaviors for both species. Prey remains from octopus’ dens and video recordings indicating prey consumption were used to determine diets of the two octopus species. Video recordings from the 24-h camera and foraging behavior events also provided observations of intra- and interspecific interactions. Results revealed that the two species are interspersed throughout the shallow Florida lagoon and are both abundant during the spring months (March, April, May). Although both species are interspersed throughout the lagoon, their den and surrounding habitat association differed. O. vulgaris was associated with hard bottom and M. defilippi was associated with soft bottom, thus they may not compete strongly for habitats. Each species used different foraging strategies and different primary prey, which may also lessen competition and facilitate coexistence. O. vulgaris had peak foraging activity during night hours, foraged mostly on hard bottom and mainly consumed bivalves while M. defilippi had peak foraging activity during day hours, foraged mostly on soft bottom and mainly consumed crustaceans. Octopuses also had species-specific foraging behaviors, with O. vulgaris using parachute attack and M. defilippi using flounder swimming and tripod stance. Additional intra- and interspecific interactions were video recorded and included: fishes following octopuses, predation attempts, agonistic encounters, cannibalism, and tactile communication. This study identified ecological and behavioral components that may facilitate coexistence of these sympatric species, provided insight into cephalopod niches and ecology, and provided baseline conservation requirements for sand-dwelling cephalopods, both of which may be using this site as a mating and nursery habitat.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013185
- Subject Headings
- Octopuses, Sympatry (Biology), Coexistence of species, Lagoons--Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Maternal Involvement in Math Homework and its Influence on Adolescents’ Math Outcomes During the Transition to Middle School: Who Profits from Homework Assistance?.
- Creator
- Dickson, Daniel J., Laursen, Brett, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
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As adolescents transition to middle school, math confidence and performance declines (Eccles et al., 1993; Lee, Statuto, & Kadar-Voivodas, 1983). These declines are typically attributed to social and maturational changes (Eccles, Lord, & Midgley, 1991; Simmons & Blyth, 1987). In this dissertation, I explore the hypothesis that low parent support for schoolwork is also responsible. Latino-American adolescents are especially at risk for math difficulties. Maintaining adolescents’ engagement and...
Show moreAs adolescents transition to middle school, math confidence and performance declines (Eccles et al., 1993; Lee, Statuto, & Kadar-Voivodas, 1983). These declines are typically attributed to social and maturational changes (Eccles, Lord, & Midgley, 1991; Simmons & Blyth, 1987). In this dissertation, I explore the hypothesis that low parent support for schoolwork is also responsible. Latino-American adolescents are especially at risk for math difficulties. Maintaining adolescents’ engagement and performance in math are important goals for mothers because high levels of both are requisites for many professional careers. This dissertation will focus on Latino-American families to determine if mothers’ homework involvement is associated with changes in children’s math-related outcomes across the transition to secondary school. Parental involvement in math homework is assumed to mitigate declines in math performance during this transition. Cognitive models suggest that involved parents utilize scaffolding (Rogoff & Gardner, 1984) and instruction to ensure math achievement (Pomerantz & Moorman, 2010). Motivational models suggest that involved parents foster math engagement by bolstering child confidence, modeling management strategies, and promoting values that encourage children to work hard (Grolnick & Slowiaczek, 1994; Simpkins, Fredricks, & Eccles, 2015). However, empirical evidence in support of the importance of parents in math achievement is limited. While positive forms of involvement co-occur with better math outcomes (Bhanot & Jovanovic, 2005; Rice et al., 2013), no studies have examined such associations longitudinally. Children who are uninterested in math may be more susceptible to the effects of parental homework involvement because they lack internal motivation for mastery that underlies performance in other children. The present study examines the extent to which Latina-American mothers’ involvement in math homework is effective in preventing declines in child math-related outcomes (i.e., perceptions of math ability, etc) during the transition to middle school. Child math interest was postulated to moderate this association. Results indicated that low maternal homework involvement predicts worsening child math-related outcomes, but only for children who were intrinsically uninterested in math. The findings hold important implications for parents, who must work to ensure that they remain engaged in their children’s activities, especially if children appear uninterested in math.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004911, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004911
- Subject Headings
- Hispanic Americans--Education--Parent participation., Academic achievement., Adjustment (Psychology), Learning, Psychology of., Parent and child., Parent and teenager., Mathematics--Study and teaching (Middle school), Middle school students., Motivation in education., Education--Parent participation.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Mechanism of Carbamathione as a therapeutic agent for Stroke.
- Creator
- Modi, Jigar P., Wu, Jang-Yen, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality in the United States, and so far, no clinical interventions have been shown completely effective in stroke treatment. Stroke may result in hypoxia, glutamate release and oxidative stress. One approach for protecting neurons from excitotoxic damage in stroke is to attenuate receptor activity with specific antagonists. Disulfiram requires bio-activation to S-methyl N, N-diethylthiolcarbamate sulfoxide (DETC-MeSO). In vivo, DETC-MeSO is further...
Show moreStroke is the third leading cause of mortality in the United States, and so far, no clinical interventions have been shown completely effective in stroke treatment. Stroke may result in hypoxia, glutamate release and oxidative stress. One approach for protecting neurons from excitotoxic damage in stroke is to attenuate receptor activity with specific antagonists. Disulfiram requires bio-activation to S-methyl N, N-diethylthiolcarbamate sulfoxide (DETC-MeSO). In vivo, DETC-MeSO is further oxidized to the sulfone which is carbamoylated forming Carbamathione, a glutathione adducts. Carbamathione proved to be useful as a pharmacological agent in the treatment of cocaine dependence with the advantage that it lacks ALDH2 inhibitory activity. Carbamathione is a partial NMDA glutamate antagonist. The purpose of this dissertation study is to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Carbamathione drug on PC-12 cell line and to understand the protective mechanisms underlying in three stroke-related models: excessive glutamate, hypoxia/reoxygenation and bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO). Carbamathione was administered 14 mg/kg subcutaneously for 4 days with the first injection occurring 30 min after occlusion in the mouse BCAO stroke model. Mice were subjected to the locomotor test, and the brain was analyzed for infarct size. Heat shock proteins, key proteins involved in apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, were analyzed by immunoblotting. Carbamathione reduced both cell death following hypoxia/reoxygenation and brain infarct size. It improved performance on the locomotor test. The level of pro-apoptotic proteins declined, and anti-apoptotic, P-AKT and HSP27 protein expressions were markedly increased. We found that Carbamathione suppresses the up- regulation of Caspase-12, Caspase-3 and significantly declined ER stress protein markers GRP 78, ATF4, XBP-1, and CHOP. Carbamathione can down- regulate ATF 4 and XBP1 expression, indicating that Carbamathione inhibits the ER stress induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation through suppressing PERK and IRE1 pathways. Carbamathione elicits neuroprotection through the preservation of ER resulting in reduction of apoptosis by increase of anti-apoptotic proteins and decrease of pro-apoptotic proteins. Carbamathione can suppress the activation of both PERK and IRE1 pathways in PC-12 cell cultures and has no inhibitory effect on ATF6 pathway. These findings provide promising and rational strategies for stroke therapy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004979, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004969
- Subject Headings
- Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Stroke., Stroke--drug therapy., Carbamathione
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Measuring Nest-to-Surf Mortality of Florida’s East and West Coast Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Hatchlings.
- Creator
- Villegas Vindiola, Brianna, Wyneken, Jeanette, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Sea turtle hatchlings emerge from their nest and quickly crawl to the surf. During the crawl, hatchlings may encounter threats, biotic and abiotic, which can affect their ability to successfully reach the surf. The impact of these threats on hatchling survival during that crawl is largely undocumented. Current methods used to estimate cohort recruitment rely heavily on nest inventory data. This method, however, does not account for post-emergent hatchling mortality that occurs during the...
Show moreSea turtle hatchlings emerge from their nest and quickly crawl to the surf. During the crawl, hatchlings may encounter threats, biotic and abiotic, which can affect their ability to successfully reach the surf. The impact of these threats on hatchling survival during that crawl is largely undocumented. Current methods used to estimate cohort recruitment rely heavily on nest inventory data. This method, however, does not account for post-emergent hatchling mortality that occurs during the crawl. During the 2017-2018 nesting seasons, I quantified the fates of 1,379 loggerhead (Caretta caretta) hatchlings from 26 nest emergences during their crawl from the nest to the surf on the east and west coasts of Florida. I documented hatchling fates at 5 Florida nesting beaches: Wabasso, Boca Raton, Keewaydin Island, Naples, and Anna Maria Island. Overall, 6.5% of all emergent hatchlings died during the crawl from the nests to the surf. Ghost crabs, night herons, foxes, and coyotes killed hatchlings and photopollution and barriers on the beach (both abiotic threats) caused hatchling mortality. Anthropogenic (abiotic) threats accounted for more mortality than did predators. In order to assess how beach urbanization impacts hatchling mortality, I categorized each study site as urban (Wabasso and Naples), intermediate (Anna Maria Island and Boca Raton), or natural (Keewaydin Island) based on the relative levels of shoreline development and human activity at each beach. Sites with intermediate levels of urbanization accounted for greater levels of hatchling mortality than at other beaches due to the absolutely larger numbers of hatchlings lost to a disorientation event and to a beach barrier. Given the small numbers of emergences, at all sites, only a small proportion of the hatchlings mortalities (e.g., between 3 and 12 percent), site type could not be rigorously used as a discriminator. My results provide a better understanding of how specific environmental threats contribute to hatchling mortality. While nest-to-surf mortality is relatively low, its cumulative costs add up to several hundreds of thousands of hatchlings. Armed with this information, nesting beach managers can assess risks and focus their efforts to implement the most effective management practices to minimize losses of this imperiled species.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013277
- Subject Headings
- Loggerhead turtle--Florida, Caretta caretta, Sea turtles--Nests, Sea turtles--Mortality
- Format
- Document (PDF)
