With the US recovering from a recession, a college diploma has become more valuable to avoid unemployment. Despite a college degree's importance, the access to higher education is a challenge for lower income Pell-Eligible Vermont students. For the past three decades, higher education continues to rise in cost faster than family income. Cost is not only an inhibitor for Pell-Eligible Vermont students. The complexities of navigating the financial systems of higher education to acquire aid in order to make college obtainable is also an issue for Pell-Eligible students. In order to successfully navigate these systems, a Pell-Eligible student's habitus, cultural capital, and social capital, greatly influence their decisions about applying to college and being able to successfully participate once accepted. To help understand the experience of Pell-Eligible Vermont students as they navigate the financial system of higher education institutions, I utilized a qualitative case-study phenomenological approach. The study was guided by the following research questions: (1) What are the specific challenges for Pell-Eligible students during their navigation of the financial systems of college? (2) What messages/information/support and from where do Pell-Eligible students receive about financing a college education? (3) How does cultural and social capital, and habitus influence a Pell-Eligible student in navigating the financial systems of higher education? (4) What are the implications for high schools, states, and colleges in providing information for Pell-Eligible students in navigating the college process? The study looked at the experiences of Pell-Eligible students who applied to and were accepted at Green Mountain University (GMU), a public four-year university in the Northeast region of the US. I interviewed undergraduates of GMU, the financial-aid officers of GMU, and professionals from the Vermont Higher Education Agency (VHEA). The goal of the study was to find areas where higher education institutions, high schools, and government agencies, can provide better support, more transparency, and ease the navigation process for Pell-Eligible Vermont students as they make decision and navigate the financial aid process in order to enroll into college after high school graduation.

Cette thèse contient deux parties. Je décris une approche pour construire une réalisation physique d'un ordinateur quantique par Résonance Magnétique Nucléaire (RMN). Je propose un nouveau cadre pour la RMN dans les réalisations physiques d'un ordinateur quantique. Je construis une description de la RMN à partir de la mécanique quantique avec laquelle je peux construire les opérateurs élémentaires essentiels pour le calcul quantique. Je décris les expériences pour construire ces opérateurs. Je propose un algorithme quantique en temps polynomial pour résoudre des équations de Pell simultanées comme extension de l'algorithme de Hallgren pour des équations de Pell simples.

Submitted by Cássia Santos (cassia.bcufg@gmail.com) on 2015-10-27T14:48:51Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Ronaldo Pires da Silva - 2015.pdf: 1653286 bytes, checksum: 63a72d8fbcc7390f80fb41dbadaaa9fe (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-10-27T14:53:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Ronaldo Pires da Silva - 2015.pdf: 1653286 bytes, checksum: 63a72d8fbcc7390f80fb41dbadaaa9fe (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-27T14:53:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Ronaldo Pires da Silva - 2015.pdf: 1653286 bytes, checksum: 63a72d8fbcc7390f80fb41dbadaaa9fe (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-06 / Our work had as main objective to study the intersection of integer sequences, denominated polygonal numbers, through Pell's equation. In this context, the solution of two equations will be treated: x2 􀀀 Dy2 = 1 and x2 􀀀 Dy2 = N, jNj > 1. For the rst one we have used results from the theory of continued fractions. For the last one, we have used the method of solution delineated in literature. Besides, propositions referring to the intersection of polygonal numbers for some particular cases are presented and demonstrated. Also, the proposition of the general case is presented and demonstrated. Finally, we have performed the solution of some of Pell's equations in order to determine the intersection of some polygonal numbers. / Nosso trabalho teve como objetivo central estudar a interseção de sequências de inteiros, denominadas números geométricos, através da equação de Pell. Neste contexto, a resolução de duas equações serão tratadas: x2 􀀀 Dy2 = 1 e x2 􀀀 Dy2 = N com jNj > 1. Para a primeira utilizamos importantes resultados presentes na teoria das frações contínuas. Para última, utilizamos o método de resolução delineado na literatura. Além disso, proposições referentes a interseção de números geométricos para alguns casos particulares são apresentadas e demonstradas. Também a proposição do caso geral é apresentada e demonstrada. Por m, realizamos a resolução de algumas equações de Pell para determinarmos a interseção de alguns números geométricos.

This thesis argues that Ella Ferris Pell's 1890 painting, Salome, provides a unique interpretation of the ideals of the New Woman, specifically in terms of reclaiming female power through Salome's confidence in her sexuality. By examining the cultural context in which Pell exhibited her painting, as well as her background as an artist, I hope bring to the light the significant ways in which Pell's Salome participates in the construction of the New Woman in late nineteenth-century culture. Since Pell was an American woman who trained and exhibited in both the United States and France, this paper explores the significance of the New Woman in both countries. Through the examination of these ideas, we can better appreciate the way in which Pell approached her painting and why it was not well received in Paris—despite its popular subject matter, technical execution, and relevance to the popular topic of the women's movement. Drawing upon the rich visual culture of this era, I offer a comparative study of how both images of women and actual women embraced sexuality and femininity as a means of exerting influence over men, and by so doing, carved out a sphere of influence in a male-dominated society.

Retention has been a focus of universities and policy makers for decades. However, there is a gap in research of Pell-eligible and first-generation student retention and completion. Researchers have indicated that peers can influence retention of other students. Using the theories of Astin (1993) and Tinto (1993) as the framework, this study explored near-peer coaching effects on retention of Pell-eligible and first-generation students. The study focused on the College Possible Catalyze program which trains near-peer coaches for partnering institutions. near-peer coaches were assigned 120 first-time full-time Pell-eligible or first-generation students at two partnering institutions. The study compared the retention of students being coached and retention of students in the same categories not coached. A series of statistical analyses were conducted including chi-square, t-tests, and logistical regression in order to test for associations of retention of students with and without a coach, associations of GPA of students with and without a coach, and if there is a predictive association controlling for coach, Pell-eligible, and first-generation indicators. All analyses indicated a strong significance between coaching and both spring and fall retention in all groups. Students who were coached were retained at significantly higher rates than students without a coach. There was a positive significant association in GPA and coaching for both groups. Results indicated there were strong predictive association in retention controlling for Pell-eligible and first-generation factors. The results provide clarity on programming that can directly affect first-year retention in the Pell-eligible and first-generation populations.

Se han desarrollado y optimizado dos nanoemulsiones que contienen Nistatina (N1 y N2) para su aplicación en piel y mucosa oral, respectivamente. Estas formulaciones tuvieron un tamaño de gota nanométrico y resultaron ser estables a lo largo del tiempo. Adicionalmente se determinó el comportamiento reológico de ambos sistemas resultando ser fluidos newtonianos. Se evaluó la actividad antifúngica in vitro, observado que la potencia de la nistatina aumentó al ser introducida en las nanoemulsiones, cuando se comparaba con la nistatina libre. El mecanismo de liberación de la nistatina de las nanoemulsiones siguió una cinética de orden uno para ambas formulaciones. Trás el ensayo de permeación ex vivo en piel humana con la nanoemulsion N1 se observó que la cantidad de fármaco permeada fue muy baja, pudiendo descartarse la posible aparición de efectos adversos a nivel sistémico. De la misma manera se realizó el ensayo de permeación ex vivo en mucosa oral porcina para la formulación N2 llegando a la misma conclusión que en el caso de la permeación en piel. En ambos casos la cantidad de fármaco retenido en el tejido (tanto en piel o mucosa) es suficiente para observar un efecto fungistático, fungicida y un prolongado efecto post-antifungico (PAFE). Con el fin de determinar el efecto de la nanoemulsion N2 sobre la mucosa oral se visualizó la ultra-estructura del tejido y no observándose variaciones significativas cuando se comparaban con el control (mucosa no tratada con la nanoemulsion). Las nanoemulsiones N1 y N2 son formulaciones prometedoras para el potencial tratamiento clínico de candidiasis muco-cutáneas. / Muco-cutaneous candidosis is a common opportunistic infection must be treated to prevent other tissue invasion. Nystatin is one of the most prescribed drugs to treat this pathology, but due to its physicochemical properties its pharmaceutical-technological requirements make it a challenge. The purpose of this work was the development and characterization of an optimal nystatin delivery system for the potential treatment of oral candidosis avoiding undesirable side effects and toxicity of potential systemic absorption. Two nanoemulsion (N1 and N2) was developed, evaluated and characterized. It has been formulated successfully as a stable nanoemulsion with a droplet size of 75 and 138 nm, respectively. First order release parameters were estimated using different mathematical approaches and ex vivo permeation of nystatin through human skin and porcine buccal mucosa were found no systemic effects would happen. Microbiologic studies performed revealed an enhanced antifungal effect of the nystatin loaded nanoemulsion. Also the evaluation of buccal mucosa ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy methodology showing a harmless effect in the mucosa microstructure. We can infer that the selected nystatin nanoemulsion could be potentially used on candidosis infection under mucositis conditions.

La microscopía confocal de reflectancia in vivo (MCR) es una técnica no invasiva que permite obtener un diagnóstico de forma inmediata y en tiempo real de patología cutánea tumoral con una precisión diagnóstica que se acerca al diagnóstico histológico convencional. La MCR puede permitir un seguimiento clínico de respuesta a tratamientos no invasivos de patología tumoral, como la terapia fotodinámica, sin necesidad de realizar biopsias. El presente trabajo reúne cuatro estudios realizados con el fin de demostrar la utilidad de la técnica de MCR en el estudio y manejo clínico de las neoplasias cutáneas. En el primer estudio se incluyeron de forma prospectiva 154 tumores cutáneos para establecer qué parámetros de microscopía confocal se relacionaban con cada tumor, analizar si estos criterios eran reproducibles y finalmente evaluar la correlación de estos parámetros con la dermatoscopia y la histología convencional. Según los resultados de este primer trabajo, cuatro características observables mediante MCR permitían diferenciar las lesiones melanocíticas (LM) de las no melanocíticas (LNM): patrón epidérmico en empedrado, crecimiento pagetoide, presencia de nidos celulares en la dermis y presencia de papilas dérmicas bien definidas en toda la lesión. Dentro de las LM, la presencia de células redondas en estratos suprabasales y de células nucleadas atípicas en la dermis se asociaban al diagnóstico de melanoma; mientras la presencia de papilas dérmicas con contorno reflectante (anillos basales) así como la observación de células basales típicas, se asociaban a nevus. Basándonos en la reproducibilidad y correlación histológica y dermatoscópica de los criterios de MCR, se desarrolló un algoritmo en dos etapas para el diagnóstico de melanoma consiguiendo una sensibilidad del 86,1% y una especificidad del 95.3% (J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;61:216-29). En el segundo trabajo, se estudiaron los parámetros de microscopía confocal en melanomas de extensión superficial (MES) en fase de crecimiento vertical y en melanomas nodulares (MNs). Para ello se incluyeron de forma prospectiva 10 MNs, 10 MES con área nodular y 10 MES con área palpable. Se realizó un análisis sistemático y estudio estadístico de las características dermatoscópicas, confocales e histológicas de los 3 grupos de lesiones. Mientras los MNs mostraban patrones de dermatoscopia inespecíficos, los MES exhibían patrones multicomponente y puntuaciones más altas en los algoritmos de dermatoscopia. Por MCR, los MNs tenían poco crecimiento pagetoide y presentan a menudo un patrón normal de la epidermis, a diferencia de los MES que se caracterizaban por un patrón desestructurado de la epidermis y la presencia de abundantes células en estratos suprabasales Tanto en los MNs como en las áreas nodulares de los MES, en la unión dermo-epidérmica no se visualizaban las papilas dérmicas, en su lugar se observa una proliferación de células reflectantes atípicas no agregadas. En la dermis, los MNs exhibían a menudo unos agregados celulares característicos de aspecto cerebriforme, que podían observarse también en las áreas nodulares de algunos MES (Arch Dermatol. 2008;144:1311-20). En un tercer artículo estudiamos las características del carcinoma basocelular pigmentado (CBC) mediante MCR, histología e inmunohistoquímica (S-100, MelanA, HMB-45 y CD1a).Mediante MCR demostramos la presencia de estructuras reflectantes muy características de aspecto dendrítico dentro de los nidos tumorales situados en la dermis de los CBC estudiados, que correspondían por estudio inmunohistoquímico a melanocitos no neoplásicos que poblaban los nidos (Arch Dermatol. 2007;143:883-6). Finalmente, en un cuarto trabajo estudiamos la aplicabilidad de la MCR en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de pacientes con genodermatosis de alto riesgo de desarrollar cáncer cutáneo (síndrome de Gorlin -SG- y Xeroderma pigmentoso -XP-) afectos de CBCs múltiples y tratados con terapia fotodinámica con metil-aminolevulinato (MAL). Se incluyeron 4 pacientes con SG y 2 hermanos con XP. Se trataron lesiones únicas o múltiples en zonas localizadas con 1 a 3 ciclos de TFD-MAL. La exploración con MCR se realizó antes y 3 meses después del tratamiento en las lesiones diana. Se trataron 13 CBCs pigmentados faciales en los pacientes afectos de XP y múltiples lesiones en cara o tronco (hasta 200) en los afectos de SG. Globalmente se obtuvo una remisión clínica completa en un 25- 67% de las lesiones. La respuesta al tratamiento puedo ser correctamente evaluada mediante MCR (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2011;25:819-27). En conclusión, la MCR parece ser útil en el diagnóstico diferencial de las lesiones pigmentadas y complementa a la dermatoscopia en el diagnóstico del melanoma. Esta técnica permite caracterizar subtipos de melanoma como el melanoma nodular. También sirve de ayuda en el diagnóstico y caracterización del carcinoma basocelular pigmentado y en su monitorización tras tratamiento con terapias no invasivas como la terapia fotodinámica. / This work brings together four studies to demonstrate the clinical utility of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in the clinical management of cutaneous neoplasms. In the first study we prospectively included 154 skin tumors in order to develop an algorithm for the in vivo diagnosis of skin tumors. We analyzed RCM features on stored images before excision and performed statistical analyses to determine the association of RCM features with tumor types. Four confocal features differentiated melanocytic lesions (ML) from non-melanocytic lesions (NML): cobblestone pattern of epidermal layers, pagetoid spread, mesh appearance of the dermoepidermal junction, and the presence of dermal nests. Within ML, the presence of roundish suprabasal cells and atypical nucleated cells in the dermis was associated with melanoma, and the presence of edged papillae and typical basal cells was associated with nevi. Based on the reproducibility and histological and dermoscopic correlation of MCR criteria, we developed a two-step algorithm for the diagnosis of melanoma, achieving a sensitivity of 86.1% and specificity of 95.3% (J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009; 61: 216-29). In the second work we characterized nodular melanoma (NM) by dermoscopy, RCM and histopathology. We included 10NMs, 10 superficial spreading melanomas (SSMs) with a nodular area, and 10 SSMs with a blue palpable area but not yet nodular. Whereas NMs had predominantly nonspecific global dermoscopic patterns, SSMs exhibited a multicomponent pattern and higher dermoscopic scores. By RCM, distinctive confocal features were observed at all cutaneous levels in NMs compared with SSMs, suggesting different biological behavior. (Arch Dermatol. 2008, 144:1311-20). In the third article we explored the confocal features of pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and correlated the findings with histology and immunohistochemistry. RCM revealed highly refractive dendritic structures within tumor nests that corresponded to the presence of melanocytes within the tumor. RCM allowed the study of pigmented BCC and the identification of specific criteria. (Arch Dermatol. 2007; 143:883-6). Finally, in the fourth paper we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) from patients with Gorlin syndrome (GS) and Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), and to determine the utility of RCM in the diagnosis and the evaluation of therapeutic response. We included 4 patients with GS and 2 siblings with XP. Single or multiple lesions in localized areas were treated with 1 to 3 cycles of MAL PDT. RCM was performed before and 3 months after the treatment in target lesions. Overall, we obtained a complete clinical remission in 25 to 67% of the lesions. RCM could identify confocal features for BCC and assess tumor remissions after treatment (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2011; 25:819-27).

The United States has the highest incarceration rate of any country. The causes for the large number of prisoners can be traced, in part, to a politicized war on crime that resulted in harsh sentencing and high recidivism rates. Prisoner education provides the potential for slowing the revolving door of prison by helping to create engaged citizens, who are committed to bettering themselves and their communities. However, there is a paucity of support for programs such as Pell Grants, which could facilitate emancipatory education in prisons. The purpose of this work is to examine why prisoners are provided few meaningful educational opportunities while incarcerated. This study seeks to understand the genealogy of prisoner education policy through an examination of the debate surrounding the 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill and its prohibition of Pell Grants for prisoners, as well as the 2008 Second Chance Act and its reentry programs. The study analyzes the ideological underpinnings of key decision makers and how their values are often embedded in the narratives of neoliberalism. In addition, the work examines elite stakeholders’ discursive attempts, both manifest and subtle, to influence and maintain social policy through the creation of legitimizing myths, including the viewpoints that prisoners are hopelessly flawed or that they have potential only as human capital. Counter-hegemonic discourse is also described. The study methods are critical discourse analysis which looks at the ways text and talk maintain inequities in society and critical policy analysis. Utilizing transcripts from legislative debates, the study analyzes the discourses of members of Congress to expose the tropes that often lie beneath the surface of the debate over prisoner education. Their rhetoric appears to generate and maintain widespread support for legislation that is frequently deleterious to marginalized out-groups. The study should add to the literature examining the role of legitimizing myths that maintain inequities in educational access.

After reviewing some properties of the two dimensional hyperbolic toral automorphism called Arnold's discrete cat map, including its generalizations with matrices having positive unit determinant, this thesis contains a definition of a novel cat map where the elements of the matrix are found in the sequence of Pell numbers. This mapping is therefore denoted as Pell's cat map. The main result of this thesis is a theorem determining the upper bound for the minimal period of Pell's cat map. From numerical results four conjectures regarding properties of Pell's cat map are also stated. A brief exposition of some applications of Arnold's discrete cat map is found in the last part of the thesis.

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of social structure and community organization factors on campus crime on California community college campuses. The study utilized social disorganization theory to examine those relationships by aggregating data from the 113 campuses that are required to submit data on an annual basis to state and federal agencies. Crime data from the 2011 Clery report was separated into personal crimes and property crimes as reported by the California community college campuses. Correlation analysis was used for the non-categorical social structure and community organization factors. Those factors which demonstrated a statistical relationship with personal or property crimes were then regressed to further analyze the data. The relationships of categorical social structure and community organization factors with personal and property crimes were studied using analysis of variance. The results demonstrated that most of the social structure and community organization variables did not have a statistically significant relationship with personal or property crimes. However, the percentage of students receiving general financial aid in the form of Pell Grants demonstrated a strong relationship with an increase in both personal and property crimes. Additionally, an increase in the ratio of part-time to full-time faculty members demonstrated an increase in property crime on campus. The findings indicate that students on campuses with a high percentage of Pell Grant recipients are likely to be impacted by crime in some manner and that campuses with a large percentage of Pell Grant recipients need to consider additional supports and interventions to protect students from crime on campus. The findings also demonstrate that hiring a large percentage of part-time instructors may be counterproductive to preventing campus crime.