Since the inception of the 1974 Education for all Handicapped Children legislation, the number of students referred and placed in special education has been steadily rising. The largest increase is in the learning disabilities category. With the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and the federal requirements for schools under the No Child Left Behind law, schools are required to take a closer look at their rising special education numbers and identify alternative solutions for children's needs other than a certain placement in special education. There are different levels of variables that influence a teacher's decision to refer a student to special education. This study aimed to understand the mesosystem school variables that influence this process. Using two scales, the Organizational Health Inventory for Elementary Schools (OHI-E) and the Collective Efficacy Scale (CE-Scale) this study used purposive sampling to survey ten elementary school faculties in a large suburban district in Virginia. LD prevalence rates were collected for all elementary schools in the district. Data was analyzed to answer the following questions: (a) How does school organizational health correlate with the number of students referred to special education in a given school? (b) How does collective teacher efficacy correlate to the number of students referred for special education services? The overall return rate for the survey was 87% with 490 teacher surveys completed. Teachers did not have many teaching years in their buildings. Teachers with twelve or more teaching years experience were more likely to refer students to special education. Collective teacher efficacy scores were correlated to school health scores but not to LD prevalence rates. Higher institutional integrity was seen in smaller schools. Title I schools did not correlate with higher LD prevalence rates. Two variables predicted referrals to special education; years teaching in combination with teacher efficacy resulted in greater referrals to special education. The findings of this study may aid educational leaders in making sound changes within school environments to affect the school's LD prevalence rate, addressing particularly teacher efficacy and referral habits of more experienced teachers. / Ed. D.

Ce travail de thèse est consacré à l’élaboration de composés à transition de spin et l’étude de leurs propriétés induites par irradiation lumineuse ou par une variation de la température. L’induction à l’état solide de la transition de spin par la lumière, via les effets appelés Light-Induced Excited Spin State Trapping (LIESST) et Ligand Driven Light-Induced Spin Change (LD-LISC)) a été étudiée. La préparation de nanoparticules et leur mise en forme ont été ensuite développées à partir de composés à transition de spin de nature moléculaire, puis leurs propriétés de commutation ont été examinées. Deux familles de matériaux aux propriétés optimisées pour l’étude du mécanisme de photo-conversion par effet LIESST aux temps ultra-courts ont été examinées et les premiers résultats de mesures résolues en temps sont présentés. Par ailleurs, l’étude de l’effet photomagnétique LD-LISC a été menée avec les composés de FeII(stpy)4(NCSe)2 (stpy = 4-styrylpyridine, ligand photo-isomérisable), soit en dispersant les composés dans une matrice polymérique, soit à l’état cristallin. L’influence du milieu sur la photo-réactivité du composé a été démontrée et, dans le solide cristallin, une isomérisation unidirectionnelle du ligand stpy via un mécanisme original mettant en jeu des états excités MLCT a été mise en évidence. Le développement de méthodes originales permettant la préparation de nanoparticules à transition de spin à partir de composés moléculaires a été effectuée. Tout d’abord, la chimie sol-gel a été utilisée afin d’obtenir des nano-objets dispersés dans un film mince de silice. Cette approche élégante a permis un bon contrôle de la taille des objets et l’obtention de solides de bonne qualité optique, dans lesquels une conversion thermo- et photo-induite a été observée avec le composé [FeII(mepy)3tren](PF6)2. Une autre méthode de synthèse, consistant en la précipitation rapide d’objets, éventuellement limitée par la présence de polymère a été appliquée avec succès à l’étude de plusieurs composés moléculaires à transition de spin. Avec le composé [FeIII(3-OMeSalEen)2]PF6, des objets de taille contrôlée ont été synthétisés et, de manière remarquable, un effet, relativement faible, de la réduction de taille sur la coopérativité a été observé. Enfin, l’étude de microcristaux FeII(phen)2(NCS)2, a permis de démontrer de manière indiscutable que la présence de polymère enrobant les objets pouvait influer sur leur transition thermo- et photo-induite en induisant des contraintes au niveau des particules. / This work is devoted to synthesis of spin-crossover compounds and to the study of their thermo- or photo-induced switching. Photo-induced spin-crossover, either by the Light-Induced Excited Spin State Trapping (LIESST) or the Ligand Driven Light-Induced Spin Change (LD-LISC)) effects, has been studied in the solid state. The synthesis of spin-crossover nanoparticles built with compounds of molecular nature and the study of their switching properties has then been examined. The synthesis of optimized materials for the study of the photo-switching mechanism (LIESST effect) at ultrafast timescales has been developed and the first time-resolved measurements are presented. The study of the LD-LISC effect on the FeII(stpy)4(NCSe)2 (stpy = 4-styrylpyridine, photo-isomerizable ligand) complexes has also been performed, either bydispersing the compound in a polymeric matrix, or on the crystalline state. Different photo-induced behaviours have been evidenced, depending on the compound environment. On thecrystalline state, a unidirectional reactivity of the stpy ligand through an original mechanism following the excitation in the MLCT excited states has been evidenced. The synthesis of spin-crossover nanoparticles with compounds of molecular nature has then been performed with two different methods. First, the sol-gel process has been used to obtain well dispersed nanoparticles in a silica thin film. This approach allows the synthesis of size-controlled particles trapped on solids of good optical quality, in which a thermo- and photo-induced spin crossover has been observed with the [FeII(mepy)3tren](PF6)2 compound. Another synthetic method, based on the precipitation in an anti-solvent, has been successfully applied to various spin-crossover complexes. With the [FeIII(3-OMeSalEen)2]PF6 compound, size-controlled particles have been prepared and, interestingly, the size reduction effect on the cooperative processes appears to be limited. Finally, the study of FeII(phen)2(NCS)2 microcrystals has evidenced that the interaction between the polymer and the particles can affect their thermo- and photo-induced spin-crossover processes.

Em virtude da demanda cada vez maior por materiais de alta qualidade, o avanço das tecnologias aplicadas na produção de aço vem acompanhado pelo avanço na fabricação de revestimentos refratários de alto desempenho e que atendam às solicitações de processo sem interferir nas propriedades finais do material produzido. Os refratários de magnésia-carbono são atualmente os materiais mais utilizados em equipamentos siderúrgicos tanto de transporte como de refino do aço, sendo de extrema importância o conhecimento da qualidade das matérias primas utilizadas na confecção destes materiais. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar como ocorre a corrosão da magnésia (eletrofundida e sinterizada) por escória de aciaria LD em ensaios de corrosão estáticos (cup-test) porém com algumas modificações ao ensaio convencional, chamado assim de cup-test modificado. A magnésia foi caracterizada por ensaios de caracterização química (fluorescência de raios X), mineralógica (difratometria de raios X) e microestrutural (microscopia eletrônica de varredura com análise da energia dispersiva de raios X). A análise química mostrou que as principais impurezas do material eram de cálcia (CaO) e sílica (SiO2) e a análise microestrutural mostrou que estas impurezas se concentram nos contornos de grão dos agregados eletrofundidos e dispersos por todo o material nos sinterizados, sendo encontrado apenas periclásio como fase mineralógica. Os maiores tamanhos médios de grãos foram encontrados na amostra ME3 e os menores na ME1. A escória utilizada é proveniente do conversor (BOF), com alta concentração de FeO. As análises após os ensaios de cup-test modificado mostraram que o ataque aos agregados se deu principalmente pela infiltração de fases contendo ferro pelos contornos de grão, arrastando-os para o banho e dissolvendo o MgO na escória. Dentre os eletrofundidos, podemos estimar a ordem de desempenho da seguinte maneira: ME3>ME2>ME1. Considerando os sinterizados, a ordem de desempenho é tal que: MS3>MS1>MS2. / High quality materials are increasingly desired by consumers, and advances in technologies of steelmaking processes are closely linked to manufacturing suitable high performance refractories which do not interfere in the final properties of materials produced. Magnesia-carbon refractories are widely used in several steelmaking plants, both for transportation and refining processes which makes the knowledge of the quality of raw materials is essential for manufacturing high quality refractories. In this work, the approach is the study of how the corrosion behavior of magnesia aggregates (sinterized and electrofused) by LD steelmaking slag occurs using a modified crucible testing. The magnesia aggregates were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The XRF analysis shows that the main impurities of magnesia grains is CaO and SiO2 and the SEM analysis showed their impurities are concentrate on grain boundary in electrofused magnesia, while it is found throughout the sinterized magnesia aggregates. The major phase found both magnesia aggregates is periclase. The largest grain sizes were found in ME3 samples, while the smaller sizes in ME1. The slag used comes from converter (BOF) and has high concentration of FeO. The corrosion tests showed that the attack on magnesia aggregates occurred, mainly by the infiltrating of iron compounds in the grain boundary, dragging the grains to the bath and dissolving them into slag. Among the electrofused, the performance could be estimated in ME3>ME2>ME1. The performance for sinterized would be as follows MS3>MS1>MS2.

Syftet med denna uppsats är att öka kunskapen kring hur några lärare undervisar elever med språkstörning på låg-, mellan- och högstadiet. Syftet uppnås genom att intervjua lärare och på så sätt få svar på frågeställningarna: Hur anpassar lärarna undervisningen för elever med språkstörning samt vilka utmaningar upplever lärarna att eleverna har? Vilka assisterande verktyg har lärarna tillgång till och använder? I vilken utsträckning anser lärarna att de har kunskaper och tillgång till stöd för att anpassa undervisningen för elever med språkstörning? I undersökningen framkommer att lärarna gör anpassningar i klassrummet för att elever med språkstörning ska kunna nå kunskapsmålen, men att de känner sig osäkra på hur de på bästa sätt skall göra lämpliga anpassningar. De assisterande verktyg som eleverna har tillgång till är bland annat inläsningstjänst och talsyntes. Dessa assisterande verktyg upplevs av lärarna både som framgångsrika men samtidigt som problematiska då de kan innebära praktiska hinder och avleda uppmärksamheten. Trots att språkstörning påverkar både sociala relationer, skolnärvaro och självbild hos dessa elever upplever många lärare att de har bristande kunskap kring diagnosen språkstörning och framgångsrika arbetssätt.

No description available.

Perowskite und Perowskit-artige Materialien sind von großem Interesse, da sie eine Vielzahl von strukturellen und physikalischen Eigenschaften haben, welche die Möglichkeit bieten, sie für unterschiedliche Anwendungen einzusetzen. Die Methode der Liquid-Delivery Metal Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (LD-MOCVD) wurde gewählt, da sie eine gute Kontrolle über die Zusammensetzung ternärer Oxide und eine hohe Homogenität der Filme ermöglicht. Darüber hinaus können mit dieser Methode Filme hergestellt werden, die aus Elementen bestehen, für welche nur feste Precursor oder welche mit niedrigem Dampfdruck zur Verfügung stehen. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, mit Hilfe der LD-MOCVD Filme aus SrRuO3, Bi4Ti3O12 und (Na,Bi)4Ti3O12 abzuscheiden und den Einfluss der Wachstumsbedingungen auf die Eigenschaften der Filme zu untersuchen. Zusätzlich wurde die Wirkung der Verspannung, die durch die Gitterfehlanpassung zwischen Substrat und Film entsteht, auf die physikalischen Eigenschaften der Schichten untersucht. SrRuO3 Filme wurden auf gestuften SrTiO3(001), NdGaO3(110) und DyScO3(110) Substraten gewachsen, deren Oberflächenterminierung durch oberflächensensitive Proton-induzierte Auger-Elektronen-Spektroskopie (AES) bestimmt wurde. Die Substrate wurden unter verschiedenen Bedingungen durch Änderung der Temperdauer und -atmosphäre präpariert. Die systematische Untersuchung der Beziehung zwischen Verspannung und Curie-Temperatur von dünnen SrRuO3(100) Filmen erfolgte unter Verwendung von Substraten mit unterschiedlichen Gitterkonstanten. Die beobachtete Curie-Temperatur sank mit erhöhter kompressiver Verspannung und nahm mit erhöhter tensiler Verspannung zu. Um stöchiometrische und epitaktische Bi4Ti3O12(001) Filme zu wachsen, war aufgrund der Flüchtigkeit des Bismuts ein Bi Überschuss in der Precursor-Lösung notwendig. Die Substitution von Bi durch Na in Bi4Ti3O12 wurde zum ersten Mal in LD-MOCVD-Filmen erreicht. / Perovskites and perovskite-like materials are actually of great interest since they offer a wide range of structural and physical properties giving the opportunity to employ these materials for different applications. Liquid-Delivery Metal Organic Chemical Vapour deposition (LD-MOCVD) was chosen due to the easy composition control for ternary oxides, high uniformity and good conformal step coverage. Additionally, it allows growing the films, containing elements, for which only solid or low vapour pressure precursors, having mainly thermal stability problems over long heating periods, are available. The purpose of this work was to grow SrRuO3, Bi4Ti3O12 and (Na, Bi)4Ti3O12 films by LD-MOCVD and to investigate the influence of the deposition conditions on the properties of the films. Additionally, the effect of the strain due to the lattice mismatch between substrates and films on the physical properties of the films was also investigated. SrRuO3 films were grown on stepped SrTiO3(001), NdGaO3(110) and DyScO3(110) substrates, which were prepared under different conditions by changing the annealing time and atmosphere. The termination of the substrates was measured by surface sensitive proton-induced Auger Electron Spectroscopy (p-AES) technique. Another systematic study of the relation between epitaxial strain and Curie temperature of thin SrRuO3(100) films was performed by using substrates with different lattice constants. The observed Curie temperature decreased with compressive and increased with tensile strain. Thin films of Bi4Ti3O12 as well as (Na, Bi)4Ti3O12 were successfully deposited. In order to grow stoichiometric and epitaxial Bi4Ti3O12(001) films, Bi excess in the precursor solution was necessary, due to the volatility of Bi. Substitution of Bi with Na in Bi4Ti3O12 was achieved for the first time for the films deposited by LD-MOCVD.

Enquête sur le fer(II) noyau transition de spin centrée métal coordonner avec des ligands photo-actif (isomérisation tran / cis) et l'étude de la lumière induite par le changement de spin conduit ligand (LD-LISC) propriétés en fer(II) fonctionnalisé complexes sous la forme de nanoparticules dispersées dans des films minces transparents. Pour cette étude, nous avons choisi un ensemble de complexes mononucléaires incorporant un ligand bipyridine substitué soit par un groupe méthyle (de la fonction électronique et de la structure) ou un groupe styryle (fonction photoactivable). L'introduction dans la sphère de trois de coordination (forte cas ligand-domaine) ou deux (intermédiaire force ligand-domaine) des ligands bipyridine (avec NCSe- co-ligands) a permis à la modulation de la résistance au ligand champ subi par l'ion métallique dans des systèmes différents. Propriétés de commutation optiques et thermiques des solides ont été étudiés dans les poudres polycristallines et de la dispersion des objets de taille réduite (micro, nanoparticules). Nous avons présenté l'élaboration et l'étude des micro- et nano-particules, complexes Fe(II) mononuclées non-ioniques, y compris ligand bidenté (4,4-méthyl-2,2 'bipyridine, Me₂-bpy) ont été sélectionnés. La synthèse de nano-et micro-objets a nécessité l'adaptation de la méthode (précipitation rapide anti-solvant). Il a été réalisé avec ionique [Fe(L)₃](NCSe)₂ précurseurs en jouant avec l'équilibre chimique pour induire la précipitation de connexes neutre Fe(L)₂(NCSe)₂ espèces. Nano et micro-cristaux de Fe(Me₂-bpy)₂(NCSe)₂ avec des tailles de 56 à 1200 nm ont été caractérisés et très dilués dans des films minces polymères pour optimiser l'absorption de la lumière et de l'étude des processus photocommutation. Fe (Me₂-bpy)₂(NCSe)₂ sous la forme de nano-et micro-particules, traitées dans des films polymères minces ont montré à spin-croisé thermique centrée à des températures supérieures à la température ambiante; pas d'effet significatif de l'environnement a été détectée. Nous avons étudié la réactivité photochimique de la precusors ioniques [Fe(msbpy)₃](NCSe)₂ (msbpy = trans et cis-isomères de 4-méthyl-4'-styryl-2,2 '-bipyridine), a été d'abord sondé en solution. Il a été établi que les cis isomérisation trans de 4-méthyl-4'-styryle 2,2 bipyidine a lieu d'une manière quantitative lorsque le complexe Fe(II) diamagnétique a été exposé à une lumière bleue (405 nm); cette réaction peut être partiellement inversée par une excitation UV. Nous avons élaboré des nanoparticules dérivées croisées sur la base du Fe(II) sont décrits; la commutation de ces particules (60nm) embarqués dans des films minces de PMMA et l'effet LD-LISC sont étudiés. Dans l'environnement très confiné de nanoparticules, la Feᴵᴵ(t-msbpy)₂(NCSe)₂ complexe réagit aussi lors de l'irradiation. La combinaison des UV-Vis, Raman et mesures photomagnétiques des matériaux hautement diluées nous a permis d'analyser l'effet de l'irradiation de lumière et le comportement de commutation état de spin. L'étude de Feᴵᴵ(t-msbpy)₂(NCSe)₂a montré la présence à la température ambiante des différents processus en fonction de la longueur d'onde d'excitation: un procédé de ligand centrée (trans à cis isomérisation, 365 nm) et un métal un centré (entraînant un changement MLCT, 405 nm). / Investigation of the iron(II) metal-centered spin-crossover core coordinate with photo-active ligands (tran / cis isomerization) and study of the ligand-driven light-induced spin change (LD-LISC) properties with functionalized iron(II) complexes in the form of nanoparticles dispersed in transparent thin films. For this investigation, we have selected a set of mononuclear complexes incorporating a bipyridine ligand substituted either with a methyl group (electronic and structural function) or a styryl group (photoactivable function). The introduction in the coordination sphere of three (strong ligand-field case) or two (intermediate ligand-field strength) bipyridine ligands (with NCSe- co-ligands) has allowed the modulation of the ligand-field strength experienced by the metal ion in different systems. Optical and thermal switching properties of solids have been investigated in polycrystalline powders and in dispersion of size-reduced objects (micro-, nano-particles).We have presented elaboration and study of micro- and nanoparticles, non-ionic mononuclear FeII complexes including bidentate ligand (4,4’-methyl-2,2’-bipyridine, Me2-bpy) have been selected. The synthesis of nano- and micro-objects has required the adaptation of the method (sudden precipitation in antisolvent). It was achieved with ionic [Fe(L)3](NCSe)2 precursors by playing with chemical equilibrium for inducing the precipitation of related neutral Fe(L)2(NCSe)2 species. Nano- and micro-crystals of Fe(Me2-bpy)2(NCSe)2 with sizes 56-1200 nm were characterized and then highly diluted in polymeric thin films for optimizing light absorption and investigating photoswitching processes. Fe(Me2-bpy)2(NCSe)2) in the form of nano-and micro-particles, processed in thin polymeric films were shown to exhibit thermal spin-crossover centered at temperatures higher than room temperature; no significant effect of environment was detected.We have studied the photochemical reactivity of the ionic precusors [Fe(msbpy)3](NCSe)2 (msbpy = trans- and cis-isomers of 4-methyl-4’-styryl-2,2’-bipyridine,) was first probed in solution. It has been established that the cis to trans isomerization of 4-methyl-4’-styryl-2,2’-bipyidine takes place in a quantitative way when the diamagnetic FeII complex was exposed to a blue light (405 nm); this reaction can be partly reversed with a UV excitation.We have elaborated spin-crossover nanoparticles based on the Fe(II) complexes are described; the switching of these particles (60nm) embedded in PMMA thin films and the LD-LISC effect are investigated. In the highly confined environment of nanoparticles, the FeII(t-msbpy)2(NCSe)2 complex also reacts upon irradiation. The combination of UV-Vis, Raman and photomagnetic measurements of the highly diluted materials has allowed us to analyze the effect of light irradiation and the spin-state switching behavior. The study of FeII(t-msbpy)2(NCSe)2 has shown the occurrence at room temperature of different processes depending on the excitation wavelength: a ligand-centered process (trans-to-cis isomerization, 365 nm) and a metal-centered one (resulting in a MLCT change, 405 nm).

Στο Κεφάλαιο 1 γίνεται μια εισαγωγή στις Αρχές του Ηλεκτρομαγνητισμού, οι οποίες είναι και η βάση στην οποία στηρίζεται η λειτουργία του μετασχηματιστή. Αναλύεται ο τρόπος δημιουργίας του μαγνητικού πεδίου ενώ παρουσιάζονται συνοπτικά όλα εκείνα τα μαγνητικά μεγέθη τα οποία θα μας χρησιμεύσουν στην συνέχεια της διπλωματικής. Το κεφάλαιο κλείνει με μια αναφορά στην Ηλεκτρομαγνητική Επαγωγή στην οποία στηρίζεται η λειτουργία του μετασχηματιστή. Στο Κεφάλαιο 2 γίνεται μια διεξοδική ανάλυση των στοιχείων των μετασχηματιστών, ενώ παράλληλα αναπτύσσονται και οι εξισώσεις που περιγράφουν την λειτουργία του μονοφασικού μετασχηματιστή. Γίνεται αναφορά στα είδη και την δομή των μετασχηματιστών, ενώ αναλύονται λεπτομερώς όλα τα είδη των απωλειών που παρουσιάζονται σε έναν μετασχηματιστή. Το κεφάλαιο κλείνει παραθέτοντας το ισοδύναμο κύκλωμα του μονοφασικού μετασχηματιστή. Στο Κεφάλαιο 3 γίνεται μια εισαγωγή στα μαγνητικά κυκλώματα τα οποία μπορούν να περιγράψουν την μαγνητική συμπεριφορά ενός σιδηρομαγνητικού πυρήνα. Η ανάλυση περιλαμβάνει το ισοδύναμο μαγνητικό κύκλωμα του πυρήνα ενός μονοφασικού μετασχηματιστή, το οποίο μπορεί να επεκταθεί και για έναν τρισκελή ή πεντασκελή πυρήνα ενός τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή. Στο Κεφάλαιο 4 πραγματοποιείται η ανάλυση του τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή. Παρατίθενται όλες οι δυνατές συνδεσμολογίες μεταξύ των τυλιγμάτων του, ενώ στην συνέχεια αναλύεται το μαγνητικό ισοδύναμο κύκλωμα του τρισκελή σιδηρομαγνητικού πυρήνα βάση του οποίου προσδιορίζεται ο Πίνακας Ld. Από την ανάλυση του ηλεκτρικού κυκλώματος προκύπτουν οι καταστατικές εξισώσεις που περιγράφουν την λειτουργία του τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή και ομαδοποιούνται με την δημιουργία Πινάκων. Το κεφάλαιο κλείνει κάνοντας μια αναφορά στον τρόπο με τον οποίο εισάγεται η μη γραμμική χαρακτηριστική καμπύλη του υλικού του πυρήνα. Στο Κεφάλαιο 5 πραγματοποιείται η εξομοίωση του τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή, η οποία στηρίζεται στην ανάλυση του Κεφαλαίου 4. Περιγράφονται αριθμητικά και σχηματικά ο μετασχηματιστής καθώς και το δίκτυο μετασχηματιστή-φορτίου που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν. Στην συνέχεια, καταγράφονται οι κυματομορφές των μεγεθών του μετασχηματιστή, όταν στο δευτερεύον τύλιγμά του συνδεθεί είτε συμμετρικό ή ασύμμετρο φορτίο. Το κεφάλαιο κλείνει με την εξαγωγή των συμπερασμάτων που προέκυψαν από την ανάλυση και εξομοίωση του τριφασικού μετασχηματιστή. / This paper is entitled “Simulation of three-phase transformer when the primary windings are connected in delta and the secondary windings in wye” in case of symmetrical and asymmetrical load. First of all, there is an introduction in the basic principles of electromagnetism. Then, the analysis of the single-phase and three-phase transformer which can help us to derive the state equations. From the analysis of the magnetic core circuit, we can calculate the incremental matrix Ld. The matrix Ld depends on the topology of the magnetic core. Finally, simulation results and conclusions are presented for the three-phase transformer

Le lait peut être utilisé comme indicateur de pollutions environementales car en général on est assuré de la bonne tracabilité de sa collecte. De nombreux solvants ont été utilisés pour séparer les principales phases du lait (protéines, lipides, sérum). Le mélange de solvants utilisés pour cette étude est le suivant: 1 vol de lait, 1 vol de solution NaCL à 0.9%, 2 vol d'éthanaol et 4 vol de dichlorométhane......

This research has developed a novel method which uses an easy to deploy single dry electrode wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) collection device as an input to an automated system that measures indicators of a participant’s attentiveness while they are watching a short training video. The results are promising, including 85% or better accuracy in identifying whether a participant is watching a segment of video from a boring scene or lecture, versus a segment of video from an attentiveness inducing active lesson or memory quiz. In addition, the final system produces an ensemble average of attentiveness across many participants, pinpointing areas in the training videos that induce peak attentiveness. Qualitative analysis of the results of this research is also very promising. The system produces attentiveness graphs for individual participants and these triangulate well with the thoughts and feelings those participants had during different parts of the videos, as described in their own words. As distance learning and computer based training become more popular, it is of great interest to measure if students are attentive to recorded lessons and short training videos. This research was motivated by this interest, as well as recent advances in electronic and computer engineering’s use of biometric signal analysis for the detection of affective (emotional) response. Signal processing of EEG has proven useful in measuring alertness, emotional state, and even towards very specific applications such as whether or not participants will recall television commercials days after they have seen them. This research extended these advances by creating an automated system which measures attentiveness towards short training videos. The bulk of the research was focused on electrical and computer engineering, specifically the optimization of signal processing algorithms for this particular application. A review of existing methods of EEG signal processing and feature extraction methods shows that there is a common subdivision of the steps that are used in different EEG applications. These steps include hardware sensing filtering and digitizing, noise removal, chopping the continuous EEG data into windows for processing, normalization, transformation to extract frequency or scale information, treatment of phase or shift information, and additional post-transformation noise reduction techniques. A large degree of variation exists in most of these steps within the currently documented state of the art. This research connected these varied methods into a single holistic model that allows for comparison and selection of optimal algorithms for this application. The research described herein provided for such a structured and orderly comparison of individual signal analysis and feature extraction methods. This study created a concise algorithmic approach in examining all the aforementioned steps. In doing so, the study provided the framework for a systematic approach which followed a rigorous participant cross validation so that options could be tested, compared and optimized. Novel signal analysis methods were also developed, using new techniques to choose parameters, which greatly improved performance. The research also utilizes machine learning to automatically categorize extracted features into measures of attentiveness. The research improved existing machine learning with novel methods, including a method of using per-participant baselines with kNN machine learning. This provided an optimal solution to extend current EEG signal analysis methods that were used in other applications, and refined them for use in the measurement of attentiveness towards short training videos. These algorithms are proven to be best via selection of optimal signal analysis and optimal machine learning steps identified through both n-fold and participant cross validation. The creation of this new system which uses signal processing of EEG for the detection of attentiveness towards short training videos has created a significant advance in the field of attentiveness measuring towards short training videos.