Even though faculty are one of the most important components of a successful learning community, little research discusses the experiences and motivational factors that influence faculty to participate actively in learning community programs. This study at Ball State University helped researchers to understand these factors so that they could alter the learning community environment to make it more favorable for faculty participation. Qualitative research methodology resulted in data being gathered via interviews with faculty members who were identified as active participants in the Freshman Connections program during the fall 2002 semester. An interview guide was revised from a study conducted by Golde and Pribbenow (2000). Data were collected in April 2003. The researcher analyzed the data by identifying thematic connections among the data according to guidelines presented by Seidman (1998). / Department of Educational Leadership

The hyperpallium densocellulare (HD) is an avian cerebral structure, the origin of which remains unclear and considered to be critical to the understanding of the non-mammalian forebrain evolution. The main goal of this investigation was to clarify the anatomical characteristics and behavioral implications of HD, which had been assumed to be a homogeneous unitary entity. This project had three specific aims: 1) To identify possible subdivisions of HD in terms of cytoarchitecture, Substance P distribution, and connections based on unpublished (Aim 1a) as well as published data (Aim 1b); 2) To identify the unknown connections of these subdivisions by using anatomical tract-tracing methods; and 3) To identify the behavioral implications of these subdivisions by examining the expression of an immediate early gene EGR-1 (early growth response protein 1) using immunohistochemical methods. Based on the present study, four subdivisions of HD (rdHD, cdHD, rvHD, and cvHD) were identified in terms of cytoarchitecture, hodology, and EGR-1 immunoreactivity. In general, the results showed that the dorsal regions of HD (rdHD and cdHD) are closely connected to each other and involved in networks linking sensory and limbic functions. The ventral regions of HD (rvHD and cvHD) also have close connections between them, but also have direct associations with many limbic forebrain structures. In terms of behavioral implications, the EGR-1 study showed that only one subdivision, rvHD, had significant changes in EGR-1 immunoreactivity when animals were exposed to live conspecifics. These findings suggest that this area is uniquely involved in reactions to external stimuli. These results further provide an important insight on the organization and evolution of the avian forebrain, the cerebrum in particular.

Blast risk associated with terrorist threats and accidental explosions has become an international concern over the past decade and has provoked structural engineers to implement protective design measures. Recent advances in this area of research has seen tremendous improvements in mitigating this risk through the installation of retrofits, advanced structural design, or pre-emptive protective measures. Tilt-up and precast panel walls are constructed using a unique approach in which the walls are cast horizontally and lifted, or tilted, into their final vertical position. These unique structures are cost effective, energy efficient, and can be rapidly constructed. This approach is commonly applied to the construction of large industrial facilities and the construction of schools which are categorized as high importance structures in the National Building Code of Canada. These panels are inherently flexible and have a surplus of mass making them desirable for protective design applications, however their behaviour under blast induced loads is not well defined. This experimental research project investigates the behaviour of non-composite tilt-up sandwich (NCTS) panels and solid reinforced concrete (SRC) panels with realistic support conditions subjected to blast-induced shockwaves. Previous research shows that NCTS panels, identifiable by their large structural wythe, exhibit some degree of composite behaviour and require between 5% to 10% composite action for successful erection. Five scaled specimens were constructed following common procedures used in practice, equipped with identical data acquisition instruments, and tested at the University of Ottawa shock tube testing facility under similar blast pressure-impulse combinations. Test results for the NCTS and SRC panels are compared graphically in terms of displacement–time histories and sectional strain distributions. The data is evaluated to approximate the composite behaviour at mid-span of the NCTS panel. Analytical results generated, using “RC Blast,” single-degree-of-freedom analysis software developed at the University of Ottawa, were validated with empirical data and are presented graphically. Each specimen was equipped with connections similar to those commonly used in the construction of NCTS panels. These connections were experimentally studied under simulated blast pressures and analysed using CSA A23.3-04 guidelines for punching shear capacity. Modified support iii | P a g e reinforcement layouts and surface bonded FRP laminates were evaluated as strengthening and retrofit techniques to prevent support failure. Dynamic support reactions and predicted support resistances are tabulated for each shot of every panel. The results indicate that it is possible to accurately predict the flexural behaviour and support resistance of a NCTS panel using RC Blast and CSA A23.3-04 guidelines. Several factors considered in this analysis include boundary conditions, dynamic material properties, and shear tie degradation. This analysis of flexural behaviour is highly dependent on shear stiffness, which is directly related to the composite action within NCTS panels. Support resistance was increased significantly through application of the strengthening techniques outlined in this thesis.

In line with its mission to promote public leadership in Africa, the UCT Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance (NMSPG) implements the Emerging African Leaders Programme (EALP). With the use of an intensive two-week residential workshop in Cape Town, integral coaching and an EALP alumni network, the programme endeavours to enhance the leadership capacity of emerging African leaders. The purpose of the EALP alumni network is to keep EALP alumni connected, enable them to have an ongoing dialogue and facilitate collaborations with the ultimate objective of making a contribution to addressing Africa's wicked challenges. A mixed method formative outcome evaluation of the networking component of the EALP was conducted. Data was collected by means of a document review, an online survey, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions involving the main stakeholders. The findings showed that the EALP alumni network had created, albeit in a suboptimal resource-constrained context, positive outcomes at individual, network, organisational and policy-making levels. The network helped to increase the self-confidence, connectivity, networking ability, networking, problem-solving and decision making capacity, learning, social capital and career prospects of EALP alumni. Furthermore, most of the EALP alumni expressed above average trust and commitment in the EALP alumni network, and, opined that efforts were made to ensure effective inclusion of all network members. On the other hand, on average, EALP alumni, were generally connected and interacted with others within their respective cohort, with mutual support and exchange of information and other resources only occasionally taking place among them. Of the sample, fifty percent of the EALP alumni experienced network cohesion. On average, EALP alumni, reported that it was easy to collaborate on the network but they had developed few productive collaborations with others. Slightly more than half of EALP alumni were satisfied with the management of the EALP alumni network and one fifth of them had fully internalised the network goal. Some positive outcomes were also noted at organisational and policy-making levels. With a view to strengthening the EALP alumni network, ensuring its sustainability and improving its effectiveness, the following recommendations have been made: formulation of a strategy and plans for the network, introduction of a monitoring, evaluation and learning system, formalisation of the network, appointment of a dedicated network manager to engage and support EALP alumni, and ongoing capacity-building.

There is presently considerable uncertainty regarding appropriate connection details between driven piles and pile caps. Prior research on the subject suggests that given a proper embedment length, a specialized reinforced connection may not be necessary. Eliminating these costly connection details could save thousands of dollars on both labor and materials. This research study focuses on the importance of the pile-to-cap connection detail with respect to the reinforcement connection and pile embedment length. Four pile caps were constructed, each with two 40 foot-long steel pipe piles, and were tested with different connection details. Two caps included a reinforced connection detail while the other two relied on their respective embedment lengths. A hydraulic ram was used to apply a cyclic lateral force to each of these pile caps until failure occurred. Load-displacement curves were developed for each pile cap and strain gauge measurements were used to evaluate tension and bending moments in the pile caps. Comparisons are presented regarding the effect of the connection on pile cap response. An analysis has been conducted to best understand possible failure modes; two computer modeling programs were used and their respective results have been presented and compared to the observed readings. This thesis provides test data supporting the theory that a proper embedment length acts as an adequate connection in place of a specialized reinforced detail. A pile cap with piles embedded two diameters into the cap performed successfully. In contrast, a cap with piles embedded only one diameter failed after developing a large crack through the entire cap. For the two pile caps with a reinforcing cage connection; the performance was essentially the same for the piles embedded either six inches (.5 diameter) or twelve inches (one diameter) into the cap. The data produced was found to be very similar to what was estimated by the two programs used for analysis (GROUP 4.0 and LPILE 4.0).

Denna rapport fokuserar på att hitta hållbara lösningar inom byggindustrin med inriktning på återanvändning av prefabricerade betongelement. Betong är ett vanligt byggmaterial, men tillverkningen och användningen av betong medför höga kostnader och stor miljöpåverkan. För att minska dessa negativa effekter har användningen av prefabricerade betongelement som kan demonteras och återanvändas blivit allt vanligare. Detta steg mot en cirkulär och hållbar byggindustri har flera fördelar, inklusive minskade kostnader och minskad miljöpåverkan. En viktig aspekt när det gäller återanvändning av betongelement är anslutningarna mellan dessa element. Dessa anslutningar måste vara både starka och demonterbara för att möjliggöra enkel demontering. Genom att återanvända prefabricerade betongelement kan man uppnå besparingar i tid och pengar, eftersom det är enklare och snabbare att demontera och återmontera dessa element jämfört med att bygga nyproducerad varje gång. Denna rapport presenterar resultaten av en studie som undersöker olika typer av anslutningar mellan prefabricerade betongelement i byggnader med pelar-/balkstomme och bärande väggar/bjälklag. Målet är att klassificera anslutningarna baserat på deras demonterbarhet och återmonterbarhet. Studien inleds med en litteraturgenomgång för att undersöka befintliga metoder och tekniker för anslutningar i prefabricerade betongelement. Baserat på denna genomgång utarbetades en klassificering av anslutningarna utifrån förutsättningarna för demontering och återmontering. Klassificeringen framhöll att bultade anslutningar är de enklaste att demontera och återmontera, därvid sammangjutna anslutningar med genomgående armeringsjärn visade sig vara de mest utmanande när det kommer till demontering och återmontering.  En byggnad valdes som fallstudie för att visa tillämpningen av anslutningar mellan prefabricerade betongelement. Med hjälp av den utvecklade klassificeringen anpassades och föreslogs nya anslutningar för den prefabricerade betongstommen i den valda byggnaden. För att säkerställa att de föreslagna anslutningarna klarade av byggnadens laster genomfördes kontrollberäkningar. I dessa beräkningar ingick en bedömning av anslutningarnas hållfasthet och stabilitet vid olika belastnings- och påfrestningsscenarion. Samtliga valda anslutningar klarade alla belastningar utmärkt.  Avsikten med denna rapport är att bidra till en ökad förståelse för anslutningar i prefabricerade betongelement och ge förslag till praktisk tillämpning genom fallstudien. Den kan vara till nytta för ingenjörer, arkitekter och yrkesverksamma inom byggsektorn som är involverade i utformningen och konstruktionen av prefabricerade betongbyggnader, särskilt nu när miljörelaterade frågor har blivit allt viktigare. / This report focuses on sustainable solutions in construction, emphasizing the reuse of prefabricated concrete elements. Making concrete has so many negative environmental impacts. One way of tackling these impacts is minimizing the production of concrete through the growing use of prefabricated elements that can be dismantled and reused, leading to cost reduction and environmental benefits. An important aspect concerning the reuse of concrete elements is the connections between these elements which should be both strong and detachable to enable easy disassembly. The reuse of elements saves both time and concrete.  In this thesis, a comprehensive study has been made on different types of connections between precast concrete elements in buildings with column and beam structures, as well as load-bearing walls and floors. The study is then used to classify the connection types according to their ease and capability of disassembly.  In order to implement the result of the classification, a building is selected, and connections are suggested between the load-bearing elements. The strength of the connections are then controlled with the help of detailed calculations to see if the suggested connection types can bear the load of the building. The primary aim of this report is to contribute to a better understanding of connections in prefabricated concrete elements and provide a practical example through the case study. It can be beneficial for engineers, architects, and professionals in the construction sector involved in the design and construction of prefabricated concrete buildings.

No description available.

Mechanical and neural factors have been suggested to limit finger independence. Fingers producing involuntary movement or force production during intended actions of another finger are considered “enslaved” to that finger. The purpose of this thesis was to quantify the contribution of passive mechanical factors to this enslaving effect, in particular, the contributions of the intertendinous connections between extensor tendons. Twenty participants (10 men, 10 women) performed Master and Slave Tasks in three wrist (30° extension, neutral, 30° flexion) and two metacarpophalangeal (MCP) (straight and 90° flexion) postures. During the Master Task, the ring finger was the intended or “master” finger. Three 10 s isometric ring finger extensions were performed at 25% of maximum voluntary contraction. Finger force and surface electromyography of the 4 extensor digitorum (ED) bellies were recorded. In the Slave Tasks, the middle and little fingers (“slave” fingers during the Master Task) each performed three 10 s isometric finger extensions at their mean activation levels during the Master Task. Hypothetical mechanical contribution (HMC) was determined for the middle and little fingers. The HMC was defined as the difference between the involuntary force (from the Master Task) and the voluntary force (from the Slave Task) relative to the involuntary force. A small proportion of the HMC values (Middle: 39%; Little: 15%) were within the expected range of 0 to 100%, suggesting that the equation developed in this study provided a limited representation of the contribution of passive intertendinous structures. Index finger forces increased with MCP flexion, suggesting the importance of juncturae tendineii in finger independence. Higher ED activity during wrist extension, than neutral or flexed postures, with straight MCP supports previous evidence in the literature. The complex phenomenon of enslaving in different wrist and MCP positions warrants further research for quantifying the mechanical contribution in finger independence. / Thesis / Master of Science in Kinesiology

this thesis is an exploration of how the existing site and structure of a 1908 schoolhouse can be transformed and given a new life as a community arts center in marion, virginia. existing geometry, structure and openings are examined in order to design a project which integrates old and new elements. the design strives to create indoor and outdoor gathering spaces that promote creativity and arts education. / Master of Architecture

No / This paper summarises recent experimental research on structural steel I-section beam/column connections for fire safety, based on a programme of research on robustness of different types of steel beam/column connections, carried out in collaboration between the Universities of Sheffield and Manchester. In this research project, two series of connection tests were conducted, one on isolated connections under different combinations of axial load, shear and moment at different elevated temperatures, and one on steel beam-to-column assemblies in fire, in which the resulting connection forces were varied during the fire exposure. This paper summarises the results and the main findings of these tests, focusing on connection failure modes, tying resistance, the rotation capacity of different types of connection and their potential influences on fire resistance of the connected members. The principal objective of this paper is to discuss the implications of this research project on integrating fire resistance into the design of steel-framed structures, firstly to highlight connection characteristics which contribute most to overall robustness, and to suggest how connection detailing might change to enable connections to possess such desirable characteristics.