Master of Arts / Department of Modern Languages / Douglas K. Benson / The primary aim of this thesis is to examine the appropriate procedures needed to implement a Two Way Bilingual Immersion (TWBI) Program designed for an elementary school from grades K-4 and to make recommendations related to that process. Section I begins with an introduction to bilingual education and the different types of BE programs in the United States. It also examines the growth of these programs throughout the United States in recent years. Section II presents a general introduction to the characteristics and advantages of a TWBI program over other types of BE. The advantages and strategies presented here are intended to help teachers better understand the importance of using daily repetition of routine phrases, songs, and poems in their instruction, and the benefits to students in their overall academic progress as well. It also discusses the importance of language variation. Section III explores the implementation of a TWBI program in public schools. It highlights the importance of the selection of students, parental and community involvement, staff development and curriculum development. All of these factors are essential to having an effective program. Section IV presents a description of a specific TWBI program implemented in an elementary school in southwest Kansas. This section highlights many of the same components mentioned in Sections I-III as they apply to those being implemented in this specific school. This process can serve as a model for other schools interested in the implementation of a TWBI Program. Section V presents an explanation of second language acquisition and some of the advantages of learning a second language in a communicative classroom. Section VI presents my evaluation of five math and five reading activities used in a kindergarten class based on second-language acquisition theory. I also make some recommendations for pre and post activities, which can be used to activate the students’ schemata and check for comprehension.

One of the most popular challenges facing academia and industry is the development of effective techniques and tools for maximizing the availability of data as the most valuable source of knowledge. The internet has dominated as the core for maximizing data availability and XML (eXtensible Markup Language) has emerged and is being gradually accepted as the universal standard format for platform independent publishing and exchanging data over the Internet. On the other hand, there remain large amount of data held in structured databases and database management systems have been traditionally used for the effective storage and manipulation of large volumes of data. This raised the need for effective methodologies capable of smoothly transforming data between different formats in general and between XML and structured databases in particular. This dissertation addresses the issue by proposing a two-way mapping approach between XML and object-oriented databases. The basic steps of the proposed approach are applied in a systematic way to produce a graph from the source and then transform the graph into the destination format. In other words, the derived graph summarizes characteristics of the source whether XML (elements and attributes) or object-oriented database (classes, inheritance and nesting hierarchies). Then, the developed methodology classifies nodes and links from the graph into the basic constructs of the destination, i.e., elements and attributes for XML or classes, inheritance and nesting hierarchies for object-oriented databases. The methodology has been successfully implemented and illustrative case studies are presented in this document.

JavaScript is breaking ground with the wave of new client-side frameworks. However, there are some key differences between some of them. One major distinction is the data flow pattern they applying. As of now, there are two predominant patterns used on client side frameworks, the Two-way data flow pattern and the Unidirectional data flow pattern. In this research, an empirical experiment was conducted to test the data flow patterns impact on maintainability. The scope of maintainability of this research is defined by a set of metrics: Amount of lines code, an amount of files and amount of dependencies. By analyzing the results, a conclusion could not be made to prove that the data flow patterns does affect maintainability, using this research method.

A considerable amount of research has been done surrounding education in classrooms from kindergarten to Grade 12, but little research has been done surrounding early childhood education (ECE) beginning with birth to age 4. As a result, research is needed that examines interventions aimed to improve the quality of early childhood education for young bilingual learners at the earliest stages of schooling. The present study examines current efforts to serve the specific population of young bilingual children entering classrooms in an urban school district in North Texas. The focus of this study includes the access and examination of quality ECE programs (defined by the extent to which bilingual children have access to bilingual education programming). The present study also observes the visibility of young bilingual children who receive services that are responsive to their characteristics, experiences, and specific needs. Lastly, this study used a multiple regression analysis to examine the Kindergarten Early Assessment test that has been put in place to measure the school readiness performance of bilingual children in this urban district. Specifically, the analysis included program type, language of assessment, socio-economic status and gender variables.

Diverse student populations are increasing in local, state, and national settings. There are achievement gaps in college readiness which must be closed between various student demographic groups. It is important for schools to know what methods work best for language acquisition to close the gaps and open postsecondary opportunities for all students. The purpose of this sequential, explanatory, mixed-method, formative program evaluation study was to examine the effects of a dual language (DL) program on improving the college readiness of students. Guided by the framework of learning and second language acquisition, college readiness levels between DL and non-DL students were examined and the perceived effects of DL as described by parents, students, and teachers were explored. The quantitative portion of the study used descriptive statistics to examine various transcript academic measures between 11 DL and 11 English immersion students. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 2 DL students, 6 English Immersion and DL staff, and a DL parent. The English Leaner students in the DL program passed more Advanced Placement courses and took more Advanced Placement exams than the English Learner students in the English Immersion program. District stakeholders interviewed for the qualitative portion of the study reported positive effects of the DL program including high levels of college preparation and increased parent involvement for the DL program. The study includes a white paper with recommendations for improvement and expansion of the DL program. Positive social change can be created in school districts by implementing effective language programs to prepare all students for the increasing demands of universities and the workplace.

L'objectif de ce travail est de contribuer à la modélisation numérique des écoulements turbulents gaz-particules en conduite horizontale ou verticale non isotherme, présents dans de nombreux procédés industriels (transport pneumatique, séchage, combustion,...). Le modèle repose sur une approche eulérienne-lagrangienne permettant une description fine des mécanismes d'interactions entre les deux phases (action du fluide sur les particules (dispersion), action des particules sur le fluide (couplage « two-way ») interactions inter-particulaires (collisions)), plus ou moins influents selon les caractéristiques de l'écoulement. L'influence de la turbulence de l'écoulement gazeux sur le mouvement d'une particule est simulée par un modèle de dispersion anisotrope permettant de générer les fluctuations de vitesses et de température du fluide vu par une particule. Les développements numériques apportés au modèle en conduite ont été validés par comparaison avec les résultats expérimentaux disponibles dans la littérature. Les différents tests de sensibilité ont permis de mettre en évidence l'influence du modèle de dispersion, des collisions et de la modulation de la turbulence (actions directes et indirectes des particules sur le fluide) sur le comportement dynamique et thermique de la suspension. Le modèle est capable de prédire les échanges thermiques en présence de particules pour une large gamme d'écoulements à la fois en conduite verticale et en conduite horizontale. Cependant, des difficultés d'ordre numérique subsistent pour les simulations en couplage « two-way » en présence de très petites particules pour des taux de chargement supérieurs à 1. Ceci est lié aux problèmes de modélisation des termes de couplage entre les deux phases (en particulier les coefficients de modélisation de l'équation de transport de la dissipation, Ce2 et Ce3 ).

A turbulent two-phase flow model using kinetic theory of granularflows for the particle phase is developed and implmented in afinite element code. The model can be used for engineeringapplications. However, in this thesis it is used to investigateturbulent gas-particle flows through numerical simulations.  The feedback from the particles on the turbulence and the meanflow of the gas in a vertical channel flow is studied. In particular,the influence of the particle response time, particle volumefraction and particle diameter on the preferential concentration ofthe particles near the walls, caused by the turbophoretic effect isexplored. The study shows that when particle feedback is includedthe accumulation of particles near the walls decreases. It is also foundthat even at low volume fractions particles can have a significant impacton the turbulence and the mean flow of the gas. The effect of particles on a developing turbulent vertical upward pipeflow is also studied. The development length is found to substantiallyincrease compared to an unladen flow. To understand what governs thedevelopment length a simple estimation was derived, showing that itincreases with decreasing particle diameters in accordance with themodel simulations. A model for the fluctuating particle velocity in turbulentgas-particle flow is derived using a set of stochastic differentialequations taking into account particle-particle collisions. Themodel shows that the particle fluctuating velocity increases whenparticle-particle collisions become more important and that increasingparticle response times reduces the fluctuating velocity. The modelcan also be used for an expansion of the deterministic model for theparticle kinetic energy. / QC20100726

Web 2.0 har möjliggjort och öppnat upp för en ny typ av mellanmänsklig kommunikation. Numera kan vem som helst starta sin egen offentliga och lättillgängliga webbplattform där digitala dialoger frodas och med det skapas attraktiva marknadsplatser för företag. Enligt forskningsluckan vi har identifierat anser vi att det saknas insikter om hur företag på bästa sätt ska arbeta med bloggare utifrån bloggarnas perspektiv. Bloggar är inte bara en attraktiv marknadsplats för företag utan också för bloggarna själva som skapar sitt personliga varumärke genom att bygga upp den digitala identitet som presenteras i bloggen. Således är syftet med vår uppsats att bidra till ökad förståelse för bloggares preferenser i relationen med företag och varumärken, samt hur de väljer varumärken att beröra i sin blogg utifrån sin digitalt konstruerade identitet. För att genomföra vår studie har vi valt en kvalitativ metod med en abduktiv ansats där vi har genomfört semistrukturerade intervjuer med sju populära bloggare i Sverige. Den teoretiska referensramen som ligger till grund för vår studie är uppdelad i tre huvudkategorier; marketing public relations, word-of-mouth/word-of-blog samt personligt varumärke, där vi berör begreppen relationer, digitala dialoger, tvåvägs-symmetrisk kommunikation, digitalidentitet och källtrovärdighet. Resultatet i vår studie visar att bloggare önskar ett professionellt bemötande i relationen med PR-utövare men en personlig relation till varumärken. PR-utövare bör erbjuda bloggarna unikhet, involvering, nyhetsvärde och arvode för att skapa fördelaktiga tvåvägs-symmetriska bloggrelationer i syfte att gynna varumärket. Således förändras synen på traditionell PR vilket snarare innefattar relationer än finansiering. I vår studie presenterar vi därför en definition och modell av begreppet Blog Public Relations (BPR) vilket är vårt huvudsakliga bidrag till den vetenskapliga diskursen. Vidare visar vår undersökning att det finns tre faktorer som påverkar bloggare till att avvika från sin digitala identitet i samarbetet med företag. Förutom att de känner en press att uppdatera bloggen, och därmed ibland har valt att skriva om vissa produkter på grund av det, påverkar ett högt arvode eller ett riktigt bra och proffsigt bemötande från PR-utövarna den kommersiella avvägningen. / Web 2.0 has enabled and opened up for a new type of interpersonal communication. Nowadays, anyone can start their own public and accessible web platform where digital dialogues flourish and thus the creation of attractive markets for companies. According to the research gap we have identified, we believe that there is a lack of understanding of how companies’ best should practice blog relationships according to the bloggers. Blogs are notonly an attractive marketplace for companies but also for the bloggers themselves since they create their own personal brand by building up their digital identities that are presented in the blog. Thus, the purpose of this essay is to contribute to a better understanding of bloggers' preferences in their relationship with companies and brands and how they choose brands to mention in the blog from their digitally constructed identities. To carry out our study, we chose a qualitative method with an abductive nature where we have carried out semistructured interviews with seven popular bloggers in Sweden. The theoretical framework that forms the basis of our study is divided into three main categories; marketing public relations, word-of-mouth/word-of-blog, and personal brand, where we touch the concepts of relationships, digital dialogues, two-way symmetrical communication, digital identity and source credibility. The result of our study shows that bloggers wish for a professional approach in the relationships with PR practitioners and a personal relationship with the brands. PR practitioners should offer bloggers uniqueness, involvement, news-value and emolument to create beneficial two-way symmetric blog relationships in order to promote the brand. Moreover, this approach is changing the perception of traditional PR, which includes relationships, rather than financing. In our study, we therefore present a definition and model of the term Blog Public Relations (BPR) that is our main contribution to the scientific discourse. Furthermore, our study shows that there are three factors that influence bloggers to deviate from their digital identity in collaboration with companies. Besides that they feel pressured to update the blog, and thus sometimes chose to write about certain products because of it, a high emolument or a really good and professional behavior from PR practitioners affects the commercial balance.

Social media has become an important marketing and communication tool worldwide, mostly through the largest social platforms Facebook and Twitter. With two-way communication via Internet companies has gotten the opportunity to interact and communicate directly with their customers. Facebook has been the focus point through the study because it has shown to be the most efficient and frequently used platform for communication. Our study aimed to confirm how communication via social media actually looks like. To be able to reach the best results, we have conducted the study from a phenomenological approach, which means; usage of qualitative semi-structured interviews to reflect the respondents experience on the phenomenon social media as a communication tool. Social media has shown to be a great way of communicating externally for companies who are willing to spend time engaging in the platform. The opportunities social media has brought, such as interaction has led most of the companies to use social media as their primary communication channel, all thou social media is probably not going to replace the traditional channels. This study has also allowed us to develop a model for communication through social media, for companies who are thinking of communicating through social media, and for companies who are communicating through social media today.

In this thesis, we proposed a precoding scheme for semi-blind channel estimation in amplify-and-forward (AF) multipath two-way relay networks (TWRN), where two terminals exchange their information through multi-relays. The precoding scheme, which diminishes computational complexity of semi-blind channel estimator, is used to distinguish received signal at both terminals from multi-relays. By applying a non-redundant linear precoding scheme at multi-relays, we proposed a semi-blind channel estimation to estimate the channel impulse response (CIR) of direct link and the cascaded source-relay-terminal links. Firstly, semi-blind channel estimation adopts least-square (LS) estimation to find the CIR of direct link between both terminals using a smaller number of training symbols. Secondly, the CIR of the cascaded source-relay-terminal links are obtained through second-order statistics (SOS) of received signals at both terminals. Consequently, the proposed scheme can effectively reduce the computational complexity and enhance the spectral efficiency in overall system. Simulation results corroborate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.