Thesis (M.A.)--Villanova University, 2007. / English Dept. Includes bibliographical references.

Unimolecular reactions based on the Lindemann - Hinchelwood mechanism are important to understanding combustion and atmospheric processes. The main feature of this mechanism is the energy transfer probability distribution function, P(E',E). We have chosen to study P(E',E) through gas phase collisional dynamics probed with IR transient absorption spectroscopy. Post-collision absorption line widths for the pyrazine-N2O system are used to calculate lab frame translational temperatures. The translational temperatures reveal that collisions with large rotational energy transfer also transfer large amounts of translational energy. For J states >47 the relationship is linear indicating a constant impact parameter. Line widths for J=47 through J=59 also showed that there is no out-scattering from these states, in contrast to work performed previously in the Sevy group. The discrepancy between these measurements prompted a complete analysis of the causes of noise in the experimental system. Defective instruments were identified and noise sources localized, including IR diode frequency jitter. Improved experimental techniques and troubleshooting guides are explained for future researchers in the Sevy group.

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The purpose of this study is to develop a readiness program which will be an aid in eliminating many failures in reading and to help the children be happy while learning to read.

This dissertation examined the impact of Medicare Plan D on medication compliance in Medicare beneficiaries at University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, TX. Data were collected before and after the implementation of Plan D. The impacts of various types of benefits, such as private insurance, employer insurance and pharmacy assistance programs were evaluated in terms of impact on drug compliance. Medication compliance was found to increase in those respondents without Plan D. Plan D was found to be a predictor of those who spent less on basics in order to buy medications. Although compliance increased in general, these increases could not be attributed to the acquisition of a Plan D policy.

The objective of this master thesis The image of television journalist in American television series is to unveil personality traits of main characters in five selected American series during five decades (from the beginning of the 1970s to present) by means of combination of interpretative reading and semiotic (visual) analysis, and by that interpret representation of journalists. Subsequently the typologies of journalistic characters by Brian McNair and Joe Saltzman are used to categorize 27 central figures to types or stereorypes. Majority of characters combined more different types but it could be stated that all images of journalists were positive - possibly due to bigger popularity among viewers. Simultaneously it is neccesary to point out that characters across analysed series classified to same categories are not fully identical - characters show enough resemblance for type identification but similarities are outweighed by differences.

Lärares undervisning är observerbar medan planeringen är svårare att observera. Som blivande lärare, med en bakgrund som projektledare, önskar jag studera lärares stöd för lektionsplanering och därmed underlätta för mig som lärare och elevernas lärande.Med läroboken i ena handen och kollegorna i den andra så är man rustad att börja sin lärargärning, enligt resultatet av denna semistrukturerade intervjustudie av erfarna matematiklärare inom gymnasieskolan. Vägen från novis till erfaren matematiklärare går via ständigt lärande från reflektioner av undervisningen, från kollegiala ämnesdiskussioner och från auskultationer. De verktygen, snarare än handfasta verktyg och undervisningskomponenter, är idag de mest uppskattade och använda stöden för den återkommande lektionsplaneringen. Läroplanen ger stöd för övergripande planering men lektionsplaneringen kräver stöd för ämnesdidaktik och idéer om variation vilket lärobok och eget framtaget material ger.Analysen visar att läraren sällan är medveten om användning av teoretiska planeringsmodeller medan Vygotskijs teorier stämmer väl in på lärarens eget lärande och variationsteorin är applicerbar på hur undervisningen planeras och genomförs.

This study investigated the influence of Tyler Perry‟s House of Payne and Meet the Browns on black viewers‟ racial identity, based on a survey of 145 members of four predominantly African American churches in the Central Florida area. Mirroring Allen, Dawson, and Brown‟s (1989) model of an African American racial belief system, this study proposed that both shows would positively influence three dimensions of the black identity including closeness to blacks, black separatism, and the belief in positive stereotypes about blacks, while negatively influencing the dimension that emphasizes negative stereotypes about blacks. Socioeconomic status and religiosity were also hypothesized to predict exposure to both shows. The results show that while House of Payne positively influenced two dimensions of the black identity including closeness to blacks and the belief in positive stereotypes about blacks, Meet the Browns did not have a statistically significant relationship with any of the dimensions of the black identity. Additionally, results showed mixed support for the relationship between socioeconomic status, religiosity, and show exposure. While education had a negative relationship with exposure to both House of Payne and Meet the Browns, the income variable revealed no significant results with either show. Lastly, religiosity was shown to be a significant predictor of exposure to House of Payne, but not Meet the Browns. The findings suggest that Perry‟s shows may be considered by viewers as more beneficial than harmful to viewers to their racial identity and experience, which contradicts the critiques of his images as reverberating with negative stereotypical images of the past. Findings also suggest the importance of education and religion to black socialization patterns.

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