The passage of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) calls for the education of children with special needs in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Interpretation of what constitutes the Least Restrictive Environment has led to debate about how best to include children with disabilities into regular education environments. The process of inclusion has created an environment in which educators have conflicting feelings about the various types of special education placements. At one extreme are those who advocate all students belong in the general classroom all the time. At the other end of the continuum are those that contend only those students who meet certain standards should be educated in the general curriculum. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of high school students, parents, and teachers regarding programs and various placements established for children with high incidence disabilities in both public and private school venues. In this phenomenological study, the guided interview approach was used to examine the perceptions of disabled students, their parents, and their teachers regarding special education placements that included receiving special education services less than 21% of the school day, receiving services 21% to 60% of the school day, receiving services more than 60% of the school day, or receiving services in a separate, private school setting. The findings of this study found that students, parents, and teachers were supportive of the specific learning environment they were most closely related to. Although students had little specific knowledge of their disabilities and services, they were content with the current services they were receiving. Parents had more knowledge of their child's disability and were more vocal about supporting the specific program their child was involved with. Teachers were naturally very supportive of the environment they taught in. These findings support that there is a perceived need for a continuum of placement options for children with disabilities. Recommendations for further research include expanding the study to other public and private schools in the State to see if similar results are found.

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Studiens fokus är sovjetkommunismen och elevers kunskaper i detta ämnesområde i förhållande till styrdokumenten för gymnasiekursen historia A. I studien utreds genom granskning av relevanta styrdokument kunskapsområdets betydelse, samhällets krav, skolsystemets krav samt gymnasieelevers kunskapsläge. Detta kunskapsläge har testats genom ett diagnostiskt test på en gymnasieskola i Skåne under våren 2006, vilken valts ut som ett least likely case på grund av skolans i övrigt goda resultat. Resultaten av testet visade på en låg kunskapsnivå om sovjetkommunismen och delvis om 1900-talets historia i allmänhet hos eleverna, i förhållande till kursmålen och betygskriteriet för betyget Godkänd i historia A. Vidare diskuteras eventuella implikationer av detta resultat och förslag ges till vidare studier.

There is evidence of false recognition (FR) driven by orthographic similarities within languages (Lambert, Chang, & Lin, 2001; Raser, 1972) and some evidence that FR crosses languages (Parra, 2013). No study has investigated whether FR based on orthographic similarities occurs for unknown words in an unknown language. This study aimed to answer this question. It further explored whether FR based on orthographic similarities is more likely in a known (English) than in an unknown (Spanish) language. Forty-six English monolinguals participated. They studied 50 English and 50 Spanish words during a study phase. A recognition test was given immediately after the study phase. It consisted of 40 Spanish and 40 English words. It included list words (i.e., words presented at study); homographs (i.e., words not presented at study, orthographically similar to words presented at study); and unrelated words (i.e., words not presented at study, not orthographically similar to words presented at study). The LSD post-hoc test showed significant results supporting the hypothesis that false recognition based on orthographic similarities occurs for words in a known language (English) and in an unknown language (Spanish). Further evidence was provided by the LSD post-hoc test supporting the hypothesis that false recognition based on orthographic similarities was more likely to occur in a known language than an unknown language. Results provided evidence that the meaning and orthographic form are used when information is encoded thereby influencing recognition decisions. Furthermore, these results emphasize the significance of orthography when information is encoded and retrieved.

The thesis discusses a novel off-line and on-line learning approach for Fully Recurrent Neural Networks (FRNNs). The most popular algorithm for training FRNNs, the Real Time Recurrent Learning (RTRL) algorithm, employs the gradient descent technique for finding the optimum weight vectors in the recurrent neural network. Within the framework of the research presented, a new off-line and on-line variation of RTRL is presented, that is based on the Gauss-Newton method. The method itself is an approximate Newton's method tailored to the specific optimization problem, (non-linear least squares), which aims to speed up the process of FRNN training. The new approach stands as a robust and effective compromise between the original gradient-based RTRL (low computational complexity, slow convergence) and Newton-based variants of RTRL (high computational complexity, fast convergence). By gathering information over time in order to form Gauss-Newton search vectors, the new learning algorithm, GN-RTRL, is capable of converging faster to a better quality solution than the original algorithm. Experimental results reflect these qualities of GN-RTRL, as well as the fact that GN-RTRL may have in practice lower computational cost in comparison, again, to the original RTRL.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a common newborn condition where the femoral head is not located in its natural position in the acetabulum (hip socket). Several treatment methods are being implemented worldwide to treat this abnormal condition. One of the most effective methods of treatment is the use of Pavlik Harness, which directs the femoral head toward the natural position inside the acetabulum. This dissertation presents a developed method for identifying the least energy path that the femoral head would follow during reduction. This is achieved by utilizing a validated computational biomechanical model that allows the determination of the potential energy, and then implementing the principle of stationary potential energy. The potential energy stems from strain energy stored in the muscles and gravitational potential energy of four rigid-body components of lower limb bones. Five muscles are identified and modeled because of their effect on DDH reduction. Clinical observations indicate that reduction with the Pavlik Harness occurs passively in deep sleep under the combined effects of gravity and the constraints of the Pavlik Harness. A non-linear constitutive equation, describing the passive muscle response, is used in the potential energy computation. Different DDH abnormalities with various flexion, abduction, and hip rotation angles are considered, and least energy paths are identified. Several constraints, such as geometry and harness configuration, are considered to closely simulate real cases of DDH. Results confirm the clinical observations of two different pathways for closed reduction. The path of least energy closely approximated the modified Hoffman-Daimler method. Release of the pectineus muscle favored a more direct pathway over the posterior rim of the acetabulum. The direct path over the posterior rim of the acetabulum requires more energy. This model supports the observation that Grade IV dislocations may require manual reduction by the direct path. However, the indirect path requires less energy and may be an alternative to direct manual reduction of Grade IV infantile hip dislocations. Of great importance, as a result of this work, identifying the minimum energy path that the femoral head would travel would provide a non-surgical tool that effectively aids the surgeon in treating DDH.

In this thesis, a weighted least squares approach is initially presented to estimate the parameters of an adaptive quadratic neuronal model. By casting the discontinuities in the state variables at the spiking instants as an impulse train driving the system dynamics, the neuronal output is represented as a linearly parameterized model that depends on filtered versions of the input current and the output voltage at the cell membrane. A prediction errorbased weighted least squares method is formulated for the model. This method allows for rapid estimation of model parameters under a persistently exciting input current injection. Simulation results show the feasibility of this approach to predict multiple neuronal firing patterns. Results of the method using data from a detailed ion-channel based model showed issues that served as the basis for the more robust resonate-and-fire model presented. A second method is proposed to overcome some of the issues found in the adaptive quadratic model presented. The original quadratic model is replaced by a linear resonateand-fire model -with stochastic threshold- that is both computational efficient and suitable for larger network simulations. The parameter estimation method presented here consists of different stages where the set of parameters is divided in to two. The first set of parameters is assumed to represent the subthreshold dynamics of the model, and it is estimated using a nonlinear least squares algorithm, while the second set is associated with the threshold and iii reset parameters as its estimated using maximum likelihood formulations. The validity of the estimation method is then tested using detailed Hodgkin-Huxley model data as well as experimental voltage recordings from rat motoneurons.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between trade liberalization, measured using the Heritage Foundation’s Trade Freedom indicator, and human development, measured using the United Nations Development Program’s Human Development Index, in subSaharan Africa’s Least Developed Countries between 1990 and 2011 as data allows. In addition to exploring the relationship between these two variables, alternative factors that influence human development are examined in bivariate correlations with human development as well as used as control variables in a multiple regression analysis. Namely, this study includes government effectiveness, the percentage of the labor force employed in the agricultural sector, the percent of Gross Domestic Product made up of the sale of agricultural products, geography, and armed conflict as control variables. By conducting a cross-national bivariate correlation analysis as well as a cross-national multiple regression analysis for the years between 1990 and 2011, this study highlights how, when included in a model with control variables, trade liberalization goes from being a statistically significant predictor of human development index scores to losing its significance altogether. The results from this study indicate that trade liberalization, government effectiveness, and geography, more specifically being landlocked or not, do not have statistically significant effects on human development for LDCs in the region. However, this study finds that for every unit increase in the percentage of the labor force working in agriculture as well as the percentage of GDP made up by agricultural products, a lower human development score can be expected. Armed conflict also has a statistically significant, negative effect on human development.

Natural rubber is a major export crop and the sector is an important source of employment in Thailand. Very few rubber studies in the past have examined the demand and supply equations simultaneously and the previously results are dated. The objectives of this study was to estimate the econometric model of demand and supply of natural rubber in Thailand and determine if a relationship exists between the supply of rubber and its determinants. The data contained in the study are secondary time series annual data from 1977-2012. The instrumental variables estimation by two-stage least squares was used to solve and analyze the demand and supply of rubber. Results were statistically significant at 0.01 level, which showed that the U.S. GDP per capita, the estimated price, rainfall and rice price have a significant effect on quantity of rubber production in Thailand with an estimated elasticity of 1.4, 3.3, -3.6 and -2.6, respectively. The implications of the results are assessed through the lens of rubber producers, rubber consumers and agricultural policy makers.