An individual's initial acceptance of a recruitment pitch from a community-based social movement organization is usually based upon minimal information about the group and its efforts. It is only during the subsequent period of orientation that new members begin to learn more about the organization. During this period, the retention of new members is dependent on the successful alignment of individual and organizational frames. The failure to achieve such an alignment is likely to result in the new member's departure from the organization. This study explores the frame alignment process during early orientation to community-based SMOs. Using nineteen qualitative interviews with three different community organizing efforts in Baltimore, the study suggests that organizational members feel most motivated to continue involvement when they feel that the organization is effective.

This thesis presents algorithms to utilize the wireless bandwidth efficiently and at the same time meet the quality of service (QoS) requirements of the users. In the proposed algorithms we present an adaptive frame structure based upon the airlink frame loss probability and control the admission of call requests into the system based upon the load on the system and the QoS requirements of the incoming call requests. The performance of the proposed algorithms is studied by developing analytical formulations and simulation experiments. Finally we present an admission control algorithm which uses an adaptive delay computation algorithm to compute the queuing delay for each class of traffic and adapts the service rate and the reliability in the estimates based upon the deviation in the expected and obtained performance. We study the performance of the call admission control algorithm by simulation experiments. Simulation results for the adaptive frame structure algorithm show an improvement in the number of users in the system but there is a drop in the system throughput. In spite of the lower throughput the adaptive frame structure algorithm has fewer QoS delay violations. The adaptive call admission control algorithm adapts the call dropping probability of different classes of traffic and optimizes the system performance w.r.t the number of calls dropped and the reliability in meeting the QoS promised when the call is admitted into the system.

This thesis explores ideophones in Hindi. Ideophones are "marked words that depict sensory imagery" (Dingemnase 2011:25). It focuses on four main topics represented by four main sections. (A) It defines ideophone and offers some new perspective on this linguistic phenomenon. (B) It lists some common features of ideophones in Hindi which set them apart from the rest of the vocabulary. (C) This thesis describes first field research of ideophones. Its main goal was to find out whether speakers of Hindi actively use it or not. (D) Last part of this thesis focuses on the most interesting topic connected to ideophones - on their semantics. It is analyzed from the point of view of the Frame Semantics and the new Vivid sensation frame is suggested to capture ideophonic meanings. Important part of this thesis is ideophone list which is first of its kind.

This study examined the self-perceived leadership orientations of headmasters of independent schools. This research expanded the current body of work that supports Bolman and Deal's (2003) multi-frame explanation that leaders use different orientations (frames) to understand their roles, clarify organizational situations, and make decisions. Using the four-frame model (structural, human resource, political, and symbolic) by Bolman and Deal, this study sought to identify common leadership orientations employed by headmasters of Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), and the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW) member Schools. The study also identified how many frames headmasters use and to what extent the self-perceived orientations relate to the headmasters' self-perceived overall effectiveness as managers and leaders. The Leadership Orientations (Self) survey developed by Bolman and Deal (1990) was revised, validated, and reliability was established before being sent to 272 headmasters of member schools of ISAS, SAIS, and AISGW. Data were collected from 94 respondents. The ISAS, SAIS, and AISGW are non-profit, voluntary membership organizations of independent schools located mostly in the southeastern and southwestern United States, as well as the greater Washington, DC metro area. The ISAS, SAIS, and AISGW are also members of good standing of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Commission on Accreditation. An analysis of the data revealed, through descriptive statistics, that all four frames are used by the headmasters and most headmasters report using more than one frame. Data analysis suggests that specific relationships exist between the headmasters' self-reported frame use and their perceived effectiveness as managers and as leaders. In addition, differences were observed between frame usage and teacher certification and frame usage and years of administrative experience.

In video surveillance business, a recurring topic of discussion is quality versus data usage. A higher quality allows for more details to be captured at the cost of a higher bit rate, and for cameras monitoring events 24 hours a day, limiting data usage can quickly become a factor to consider. The purpose of this thesis has been to apply additional compression features to a h.264 video steam, and evaluate their effects on the videos overall quality. Using a surveillance camera, recordings of video streams were obtained. These recordings had constant GOP and frame rates. By breaking down one of these videos to an image sequence, it was possible to encode the image sequence into video streams with variable GOP/FPS using the software Ffmpeg. Additionally a user test was performed on these video streams, following the DSCQS standard from the ITU-R recom- mendation. The participants had to subjectively determine the quality of video streams. The results from the these tests showed that the participants did not no- tice any considerable difference in quality between the normal videos and the videos with variable GOP/FPS. Based of these results, the thesis has shown that that additional compression features can be applied to h.264 surveillance streams, without having a substantial effect on the video streams overall quality.

Thesis advisor: Diana C. Pullin / Thesis advisor: Vincent Cho / A multiple-case qualitative study of five school districts that had implemented various large-scale technology initiatives was conducted to describe what superintendents do to gain acceptance of those initiatives. The large-scale technology initiatives in the five participating districts included 1:1 District-Provided Device laptop and tablet programs (DPD), a Bring Your Own Device program (BYOD), and a Blended program that included a district-sponsored Lease-To-Own laptop and tablet program (LTO). Superintendents and other personnel that were identified by each superintendent as having a key role with the technology initiative were interviewed. Key documentation regarding the large-scale technology initiative was also reviewed. To help bring perspective to the actions of superintendents surrounding large-scale technology initiatives, frame theory was used as a theoretical framework for the overall study. This study sought to determine the factors considered by superintendents in making decisions about technology infrastructure, the factors considered in making decisions about funding a large-scale technology initiative, and how technology infrastructure or funding decisions impacted the perceived acceptance of the initiative. The study found that the decisions made by superintendents with regard to the technology initiative can have an impact on the acceptance of the initiative by all stakeholders. The importance of robust and reliable Wi-Fi networks, funding for technology initiatives from multiple sources, and the significance of device capabilities and reliability were also identified as significant factors in the acceptance of large-scale technology initiatives. / Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

This thesis explores the perceptions of Palestinian university students on topics of peace with Israel and armed or violent conflict engagement strategies. By relying on Frame Analysis literature, this research describes how respondents currently frame these issues and what has influenced the formation of these frames. Using data gathered over a period of three months through a survey and focus group interviews, I identify four dominant frames of peace expressed by respondents. Data were collected from 260 survey respondents and 160 interviewees. I use the data to show different levels of desire for peace with Israel and support for armed conflict engagement based on the way that individuals defined peace. Respondents were pessimistic about peace with Israel and supportive of violent engagement with Israel. Participants who defined peace negatively expressed these sentiments more frequently. Interviewees expressed several grievances against Israeli policies that influence their opinions on peace and violence.

Nos tempos atuais, já existe um forte desenvolvimento computacional no que diz respeito a análise de estruturas com características geométricas, de cargas e vinculações previamente definidas. Assim como os processadores, tem-se investido bastante em pré e pós-processadores, os quais são responsáveis pela maior parte do tempo dedicado a um projeto. No entanto, pode-se dizer que a definição automática das características geométricas dos elementos estruturais deixa a desejar. Hoje, esta etapa ainda é feita pelo engenheiro, apenas com uma ajuda indireta da máquina. Este trabalho apresenta uma maneira ótima de fazer o pré-dimensionamento das vigas de um pavimento de concreto armado. Para isso, desenvolveu-se uma formulação de minimização do custo de uma seção transversal com a qual, através de um método de aproximações combinadas, obtém-se o mínimo custo do vigamento de um pavimento. As variáveis envolvidas na função que representa o custo são: a altura da viga e as áreas de aço. E as restrições do problema são: a taxa geométrica da armadura, a taxa de armadura de compressão em relação a de tração e a flecha máxima pré-estabelecida pelo usuário. / Nowadays, there is a continuous development in structural computational analysis for known geometrical, loading and boundary conditions. Much effort has been made on the pre and pos-processors, which is the main part of the time spent in designing. The automatic definition of the geometrical characteristics for the structural elements, however is poor yet. Today, this phase is still carried out by the engineer, only with an indirect machine help. This work presents an optimal method to automate the first draft design of the beams reinforced concrete floor. A formulation to achieve the cross-section minimum cost function is proposed and then extended to the whole floor by combined approximation methods. In order to obtain the cost function the following values have been considered: the beam depth and the steel area. As problem constraints, the steel geometric rate, the steel compression with the steel tension rate and the limit displacement have to be prescribed by the user.

Thesis advisor: Diana Pullin / Thesis advisor: Vincent Cho / This dissertation of practice utilized a multiple case-study approach to examine distributed leadership within five school districts that were attempting to gain acceptance of a large-scale 1:1 technology initiative. Using frame theory and distributed leadership theory as theoretical frameworks, this study interviewed each district's superintendent and members of the technology leadership team and assessed how they interacted with the superintendent and each other. Using these theoretical frameworks, this study made several findings relevant to scholarship around technology leadership at the school district level. One finding related to frame theory was that superintendents achieved acceptance of these large-scale 1:1 technology initiatives using the prognostic and motivational frames. Furthermore, superintendents considered constraints and developed strategic processes for implementation of technology initiatives. With respect to distributed leadership theory, this study found that the technology leadership teams included a primary leader and secondary leaders. Furthermore, superintendents interacted with the technology leadership team through institutional practices and took on tasks that fell within their job responsibilities. Typically, these institutional practices were regularly scheduled meetings, such as a district leadership team meeting. Lastly, the technology leadership team interacted through institutional practices, intuitive working relations, spontaneous collaboration and coordinated tasks that fell both in and outside of their typical job responsibilities. Many of the technology teams' interactions that fell within spontaneous collaboration and intuitive working relations were to problem solve issues with the technology implementation, such as members meeting with the technology director to troubleshoot infrastructure challenges. This dissertation of practice is beneficial for educational and organizational scholars and practitioners interested in how large-scale initiatives are accepted within a school district. / Thesis (EdD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

Thesis advisor: Marilyn Cochran-Smith / Since the 1990s, many countries have used accountability mechanisms in teacher preparation. Aligned with this trend, the Chilean Ministry of Education has created national policies, which include national standards and an exit test for student teachers, grants for teacher education programs, and university scholarships for prospective teachers. These policies have been implemented in Chile, within the context of high social segregation and inequality, where accountability and deregulation work together. The purpose of this study is to explore how teaching and teacher education are constructed in national teacher education policy and university-based programs in Chile by unpacking assumptions about teaching, teacher education, and justice using frame analysis. This study analyzes national policy documents related to initial teacher education in Chile as well as semi-structured interviews and university and course documents from two teacher preparation programs. This dissertation argues that the influence of Chile’s national teacher education policies on local teacher preparation programs was not uniform across the programs. Rather both national and local frames were influenced by international organizations and universities. This overarching argument is based on four related propositions: 1) teacher preparation programs have different conceptions of practice-based teacher education and teaching while they have similar conceptions of justice; 2) the differences among faculties’ conceptions are shaped by different narratives, based on participants’ view of themselves and their programs, conceptions of teaching knowledge, participation in policies, and alignment and articulation; 3) national policies and teacher preparation programs have different conceptions of teaching and teacher education, but they have similar conceptions of justice; and, 4) Chilean national policies are influenced by international discourses even though they use different narratives to promote their changes. This study has implications for research, policy, practice, and activism. Building on the study’s findings, I constructed a framework that expands the notion of the policy web, incorporating the connection between local and international discourses in teacher education. This framework also identifies four dimensions that shape university’s faculty conceptions and explain the differences among programs. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.