The study surveyed a sample of K-12 teachers who had used assistive technology (AT) in the classroom to determine answers to five research questions. These were, (1) why the teachers adopted AT, (2) their attitudes and perceptions about its value, (3) challenges they have experienced in adopting AT, (4) whether they have discontinued or decreased use of AT, and, if so, (5) the factors that led to this result. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. For the quantitative aspect, an online survey instrument was developed to answer five research questions. Participants were teachers who had used AT in the classroom and came from 19 Georgia school districts whose superintendents granted permission for them to participate and whose assistant technology coordinators agreed to inform teachers in their districts' schools of the study. A total of 174 teachers completed the online survey. Of these, 52 agreed to be interviewed by telephone by the researcher, and 10 of those were randomly selected to be interviewed. Telephone interviews were audio recorded with the interviewee's permission, then transcribed by the researcher. Analysis of quantitative results included factor analysis of replies to Likert-scaled items, compilation of frequency of responses, and determination of means for Likert items. For interview responses, qualitative methods were used to determine any themes in participants' replies. It was found that (1) the most prevalent reason teachers initially used AT is that they perceived that the technology has value for their students, (2) the teachers had a mostly positive attitude toward the value of AT, (3) most of the teachers reported needing more training in AT, (4) almost half felt that time constraints affected their use of AT, (5) about one-third of online responders and 9 of 10 interviewees agreed that technical problems affected their use of AT, and (6) less than half of online participants perceived that they had adequate AT support. It was also found that most of the teachers had neither decreased nor discontinued use of AT during the 2008-2009 school year. Reasons cited by those who had decreased or discontinued use included time constraints, technical problems, lack of training, and lack of support.

The research on call centres has attracted many researchers from different disciplines recently. In this thesis, we focus on call centre modelling, analysis and design. In terms of modelling, traditionally call centres have been modelled as single-node queueing systems. Based on the Semiopen Queueing Network (SOQN) model proposed by Srinivasan et al. [42], we propose and study SOQN models with balking and abandonment (both exponential and general patience time distributions). In addition, we study the corresponding single-node queueing systems and obtain new results. For each model, we study the queue length distribution, waiting time distribution and the related performance measures. To facilitate the computation, we express the performance measures in terms of special functions. In terms of call centre design, we develop a design algorithm to determine the minimal number of CSRs (S) and trunk lines (N) to satisfy a given set of service level constraints.<p> The explicit expressions for performance measures obtained allow for theoretical analysis of the performance measures. For example we prove monotonicity and convexity properties of performance measures for the M/M/S/N and M/M/S/N + M models. We also study the comparison of different patience time distributions for the M/M/S/N+G model.<p> We provide numerical examples for each model and discuss numerical results such as monotonicity properties of performance measures. In particular, we illustrate the efficacy of our design algorithm for various models including patient, balking and abandonment models. The impact of model parameters on the design of call centres is also discussed based on the numerical examples. The results are computed using Matlab, where special functions are available.

The research on call centres has attracted many researchers from different disciplines recently. In this thesis, we focus on call centre modelling, analysis and design. In terms of modelling, traditionally call centres have been modelled as single-node queueing systems. Based on the Semiopen Queueing Network (SOQN) model proposed by Srinivasan et al. [42], we propose and study SOQN models with balking and abandonment (both exponential and general patience time distributions). In addition, we study the corresponding single-node queueing systems and obtain new results. For each model, we study the queue length distribution, waiting time distribution and the related performance measures. To facilitate the computation, we express the performance measures in terms of special functions. In terms of call centre design, we develop a design algorithm to determine the minimal number of CSRs (S) and trunk lines (N) to satisfy a given set of service level constraints.<p> The explicit expressions for performance measures obtained allow for theoretical analysis of the performance measures. For example we prove monotonicity and convexity properties of performance measures for the M/M/S/N and M/M/S/N + M models. We also study the comparison of different patience time distributions for the M/M/S/N+G model.<p> We provide numerical examples for each model and discuss numerical results such as monotonicity properties of performance measures. In particular, we illustrate the efficacy of our design algorithm for various models including patient, balking and abandonment models. The impact of model parameters on the design of call centres is also discussed based on the numerical examples. The results are computed using Matlab, where special functions are available.

This thesis analyzes the process of abandonment of the El Diablo group located in the site of El Zotz in Petén, Guatemala. I use the study of the process of abandonment applied often by anthropologists and archaeologists as a model to understand how societies abandon cities, towns and small villages. In this thesis, I begin by trying to understand the history of the group. Based on data collected during three seasons of the El Zotz Archaeological Project, I established that the El Diablo group was a Civic-Ceremonial compound, which was started during the beginning of the Early Classic period (250 to 450 AD). After two hundred years of success the civic and ceremonial compound of El Diablo was abandoned. In my research, I conclude that abandonment of the group occurred approximately at the end of the Early Classic period (400 to 450 AD) and that this process was a planned decision made by the elite of El Zotz. / text

Some Gulf of Mexico (GOM) wells destroyed by hurricanes have become environment and safety hazard and cannot be abandoned by conventional methods since pumping and circulating cement into the casing is impossible when the platforms have been completely destroyed and toppled. This project tested the curing properties of several epoxy resin systems in different environments. A bisphenol-F/epichlorohydrin (BPF) resin cured by curing agent MBOEA system was successfully tested in the laboratory as a potential plugging material to abandon wells destroyed in the GOM. The BPF/MBOEA resin system had the most suitable curing time in a synthetic seawater environment. The system could be successfully weighted by barite up to 16.8 ppg and cured properly. Weighting allows the resin system fall more efficiently through the casing annulus. This laboratory verification of properties will lead to field test in the test wells.

Honors Project--Smith College, Northampton, Mass., 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 24-25).

Orientador: Maria de Fátima Araújo / Resumo: Este trabalho é um estudo qualitativo que visa cartografar o conceito de família na literatura brasileira atual, relativa às práticas pessoais, profissionais e/ou acadêmicas de Adoção. Para a seleção das obras, utilizamos um trabalho já existente na literatura, no qual são reunidas 680 publicações referentes aos temas Adoção, Abandono e Institucionalização, e para a organização e análise pautamo-nos na metodologia da Análise de Conteúdo, proposta por Bardin (1977). Tendo em vista que o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente promulga em seu artigo 29 a exigência de um ambiente adequado para que a criança possa ser colocada em uma família substituta, e que, nos dias atuais, convivemos com diferentes configurações e arranjos familiares, fomos buscar nas diversas (re) produções do saber a forma como o conceito de família vem sendo abordado em trabalhos produzidos de acordo com diferentes orientações paradigmáticas. Concluímos que não existe uma forma de abordagem, nem tão pouco uma que seja considerada ideal, pois as concepções são muitas e carregam consigo valores relacionados às práticas profissionais, às teorias do conhecimento e às experiências pessoais com a maternidade e paternidade adotiva. / Abstract: This work is a qualitative study that aims to map the concept of family in the contemporary Brazilian literature regarding personals practices, professionals and / or academics of Adoption. The works were selected from an already existent work in the literature, which join 680 publications related to Adoption, Abandonment and Institucionalization subjects. For selection, organization and analysis of the works we based ourselves in the Content Analysis methodology proposed by Bardin (1977). In view of the Child and Adolescent Statute promulgates on its article 29 the requirement of an appropriate family ambient - so that the child can be placed in a replacement family - and that nowadays we live with a lot of configurations and relatives arrangements, we looked in a lot of (re) productions of learning for the way how the family concept has been dealt with in produced works according to different paradigmatic advises. We concluded that does not exist a way of approach, not even one that can be considered ideal, the conceptions are various and carry with them values related to the professionals practices, knowledge theories, personals experiences and knowledge with the maternity and paternity adoptive. / Mestre

No description available.

In this manuscript, the speaker’s engagement with the father-lover-God figure forces a confrontation with larger existential questions. There is tension between the material and the non-material, between observation and intuition (what is knowledge?), and between seeking and being. The mind/thought walks the line between tangible and intangible, so thought—language, our definitions—is a central theme in Thorn. The mind can build its own reality, meaning it is either fragile or powerful. Everything to which we seem to have access is a construct and therefore everything is ultimately meaningless—now what?

A father's abandonment of his minor daughter can leave an indelible impression on her psyche -- one that can forever affect her intimate romantic relationships. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore where women who were abandoned by their fathers prior to the age of 18 are today as adults in terms of their intimate romantic relationships and how they develop and engage in these relationships. The research questions examined how a daughter being abandoned by her father prior to the age of 18 relates to where she is today in her adult intimate romantic relationships and what meanings participants attach to relationships and relationship satisfaction as a result of their childhood experiences. Theories of social constructionism and psychosocial development grounded the study. After a review of the literature, data were collected through screening questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample of 8 women. Each interview was transcribed and the data examined for themes. Key findings indicated that the effect of a daughter being abandoned by her father prior to the age of 18 affects her adult intimate romantic relationships. Results also indicated the psychosocial stage at which she was abandoned affected how she viewed men in her adult relationships as it effects whether she builds trust or mistrust, autonomy or shame and doubt, initiative or guilt, industry or inferiority, identity or role confusion. When the stage is not met, the basic virtue of each stage (hope, will, purpose, competency, fidelity) may be lacking or lost. Positive social change is implicated through this collection of qualitative data that can inform practitioners and researchers, foster therapeutic treatment, and help shed light on and ameliorate the effects of the phenomenon of paternal abandonment of daughters prior to the age of 18.