No description available.

In this study the role that language plays in the expression of intelligence, bilingualism, and the process of assessing selected cognitive abilities was explored. The primary purpose of the study was to determine if individuals who are allowed to move from one language to another when they provide responses to test items produce results that are different than those obtained by bilingual examinees assessed in one language only. The results indicate that the Experimental Group obtained significantly higher results than the Control Group on all the tests and subtests used. The Experimental Group code-switched more frequently and the examiners only code-switched with that group. The frequency of the code-switching behaviours explains, in great part, all the differences noted in the results as very few other sources of differences were identified, even when groups were compared on sex, first language and relative proficiency in French and in English.

Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 1994

In this thesis, ferroelastic domain switching behaviour of lead zirconate titanate ceramics, as used in devices such as actuators, was studied. In particular, the effect of cyclic frequency and amplitude were assessed to develop a correlation between macrostructural changes and fatigue behaviour, both in the bulk and in crack-tip process zones. A variety of experimental methods were used. Raman scattering enabled the poling state of the ceramics can be determined. However, it could not distinguish between the different preferred orientations of in-plane c-domains. Conversely, neutron and X-ray diffraction technique can detect domain orientation distribution and the preferred direction of c-domains. In this study, neutron diffraction was used to probe domain switching behaviour in bulk samples while high spatial resolution X-rays were employed to analyse a switching zone near a crack tip. Under cyclic mechanical loading, domain switching and the accumulation of ferroelastic strain becomes saturated with increasing number of cycles. Moreover, time-dependent deformation was investigated. The results show that a domain forward-switching process occurs during creep deformation while a domain backward-switching process takes place during recovery. In addition, it was found that the frequency of applied stress affects the saturation of the ferroelastic strain while its magnitude has an influence on the level of strain accumulated. Under static mechanical loading, it was found that the size of the crack-tip zone where stress-induced domain switching occurs with increase in the stress intensity factor but the degree of domain switching around the crack tip changes only slightly. Under cyclic electrical loading, the results present a strong link between the frequency of the applied field, remnant polarisation, domain switching and the resultant crack growth. The results show that polarisation fatigue, the size of the switching zone, and the crack growth rate is greater at lower loading frequency. The quantitative analysis of the time dependent mechanism as well as the effect of loading frequency and amplitude on domain switching was achieved by applying viscoelastic models. Importantly, these models can be used to explain domain switching behaviour and domain wall movement under cyclic loading and link these processes to macroscopic deformation.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 231-238)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 164-173)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on February 14, 2008) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Eng. Sc.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-120).

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-50). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 183-188). Also available via the Internet.