In this thesis, the spectral behavior of the fundamental and sum-frequency waves, generated from the surface of a thin metal film in the Kretschmann configuration, is theoretically studied with coherent ultrashort pulses. As a first exploration of considering spectral response in nonlinear plasmonics, it is shown that the spectra of reflected sum-frequency waves exhibit pronounced shifts for the incident fundamental waves close to the plasmon coupling angle, whereas meanwhile those of reflected fundamental waves display energy holes. We also demonstrate that the scale of discovered plasmon-enhanced spectral changes is strongly influenced by the magnitude of the incidentce angle and the source pulse duration, and at a certain angle a spectral switch is observed. The appearance of large sum-frequency wave shifts can serve as an unambiguous plasmon signatur in nonlinear surface spectroscopy. Also, the discovered spectral switch can trigger extremely surface-sensitive nonlinear plasmonic sensors.

Information technology is playing a vital role in our every field of life. The most common use of information is in the field of education. Use of information technology in libraries is very important. People from differents works of life extract information from these libraries. In this paper, we have tried to identify how can we facilitate the Umeå university library users for better interaction with the information? We have used different methods for collection of data to identify the Umeå university libray problems and then we analysed the whole library system with the help of Engeström Activity theory, to find out which factors are effeting the interaction between users and library and creating main problems. In the end we have given some suggestions for the improvement of interaction between users and Umeå library to facilitate them for accessing information.

There is a growing trend to use public-private partnerships (PPP) for infrastructure project delivery due to lack of budget and inefficiency of public sector. The most popular PPP option is a concession-based type such as build-operate-transfer (BOT). However, construction delay, costs overrun, and disastrous financial performance in the early operation phase are not rarely seen in large BOT projects. The case of Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) is the evidence. The problem lies in over-optimism in financial feasibility analysis and under-estimation in risk exposure evaluation. Based on information of Case Project - Kaohsiung Intercontinental Terminal (KIT), which started its Phase One Plan in 2007 at a cost of about NT$42.89 billions in land procurement, peripheral public infrastructure and construction and facilities of the terminal, I will apply traditional capital investment methodology to evaluate its financial feasibility. This is done by calculating key financial indexes from Total Investment Point of View and Equity Point of View and determine whether this project is acceptable or not by conventional criteria from three main participants¡¦ position, including government agency, financial institutions, and private investors. However, we can not realize risk exposure of Case Project from traditional methods. Therefore, ideas of Value-at-Risk (VAR) that commonly used in evaluating risk exposure of financial assets are brought in. The VAR concepts are used in four financial indexes, including self-liquidation ratio (SLR), net present value (NPV), debt coverage ratio (DCR) and times interest earned (TIE), which are regarded as critical in decision by government agency, private investors, and financial institutions. This is done by applying Monte Carlo Simulation, which involves 1,000 iterations of sampling based on parameter settings of risk factors and consideration of correlations in risk factors. Volatility of key risk factor is analyzed to further realize comprehensively risk exposure in terms of VARs of financial indexes. Evidences show that, while parameter settings of risk factors are critical to simulations results, consideration of correlations of risk factors will also diverge results from that of ignoring. In addition, sensitivity analysis in terms of volatility in key risk factors presents full-scale financial risk exposure, which is helpful in reaching final decision. Of all three participants in Case Project, while private investors face greatest risk exposure due to high financial leverage employed, financial institutions confront relatively low risk in terms of loan repayment. From government agency¡¦s view, probability of fully self-liquidated with no subsidy in Case Project is 90%.

As a result of recent social and political pressure and an increase in academic standards, there is a call to address academic and behavioral needs of at-risk students at the secondary level. Currently, many secondary schools are struggling to provide research-based interventions for these students. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a school-based mentoring program utilizing existing school staff and functioning within the constraints of a typical high school schedule, on at-risk students. The study aimed to add to the body of research on interventions in secondary settings and extend research on mentoring. Five at-risk high school students participated in the study which took place during the 2008-09 school year. All of the students received basic mentoring procedures, and three were identified for more advanced mentoring procedures half-way through the school year. Data was collected on academic and social outcomes and the viability of the intervention in the secondary setting. Overall, results of the study were mixed but indicated that the intervention was mildly effective for almost all students in at least one of the areas studied. Limitations of the study and implications for future research and practice are identified and discussed.

The use of disciplinary measures to deal with student behavior brings with it the responsibility to educate the student, not only academically, but socially. It is the social or behavioral component of education that is lacking in most Texas Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) settings. The current DAEP model does not provide the means nor the method by which students’ behavior can be remediated, so students’ need for learning positive behaviors goes unmet. The Texas Education Code (TEC Chap. 37) mandates that DAEPs provide instruction in “self-discipline,” but it does not specify how this instruction is to be delivered. In addition, it does not provide for oversight or evaluation, so these requirements may be inconsistently fulfilled, or not fulfilled at all. Many of the students who attend DAEPs have behavioral and emotional difficulties, and are considered at risk for academic failure. Although there have been programs to compensate for and remediate academic skill deficits, there is not one comprehensive program to help students learn appropriate behaviors and overcome risk factors. The Thinking Errors program was developed to help students become aware that the choices they make every day are influenced by poor patterns of thinking. It is designed to help students correct these thinking patterns and learn to take responsibility for their own decisions and behaviors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Thinking Errors program in helping students change their behavior.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2000. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 184-189).

Reproduction de : Mémoire d'ingénieur : informatique : Grenoble, CNAM : 1986. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. p. 115.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Texas at Arlington, 2008.