This research is concerned with designing representations for analytical reasoning problems (of the sort found on the GRE and LSAT). These problems test the ability to draw logical conclusions. A computer program was developed that takes as input a straightforward predicate calculus translation of a problem, requests additional information if necessary, decides what to represent and how, designs representations capturing the constraints of the problem, and creates and executes a LISP program that uses those representations to produce a solution. Even though these problems are typically difficult for theorem provers to solve, the LISP program that uses the designed representations is very efficient.

The purpose of this study was to investigate population invariance of the true-score linking functions with respect to the ability subgroups (i.e., average-achieving students, low-achieving students, and students with learning disabilities). The mean/mean linking functions for five alternate forms of a curriculum-based math problem solving measure were based on the Rasch model. Most studies of curriculum-based measurement have reported only the reliability and validity of alternate forms of measures. This is necessary but insufficient for establishing alternate forms of curriculum-based measures. It is also necessary to establish equivalency of the forms. The present study was based on data from a previous study that developed equivalent forms of curriculum-based measures using Item Response Theory. The participants in the present study were 1,861 seventh- and eighth-grade students. Equatability indices were used to evaluate population invariance of the Rasch mean/mean linking functions over the ability subgroups. Results indicated that the Rasch mean/mean linking functions were population invariant for the ability subgroups across the five alternate forms. The differences between the linking functions computed on the ability subgroups and the linking function on the whole group were negligible for the five forms. Several implications and recommendations for future studies on population invariance of the linking functions with alternate forms of curriculum-based measures were discussed.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of using an existing 25-ft radius centrifuge as a dynamic flight simulator for “full mission” F/A-18 strike fighter mission training with respect to the representativeness of pilot-perceived motion and acceleration cues. The methodology employed in this study consisted of analyzing F/A-18 mission tasks, collecting pilot opinion surveys of important sensory cues needed in simulator training, and conducting an analysis of human pilot perceptual problems caused by centrifuge motion constraints. This study identified a number of issues indicating that a centrifuge-based flight simulator shows limited potential for use in “full mission” F/A-18 training scenarios. Specifically, there is a fundamental mismatch between the 6 degree-of-freedom mission-representative acceleration environment experienced in the aircraft and the 3 degree-of-freedom acceleration environment the centrifuge is able to provide. The centrifuge is not optimized for the typical acceleration environment experienced during F/A-18 missions and has significant limitations in “near one g” and “near zero g” flight conditions. Additionally, the centrifuge causes a variety of undesired, unrealistic, and debilitating vestibular artifacts that are not consistent with what a pilot experiences in the aircraft when performing the same mission task, degrading the effectiveness of training. Despite its limited suitability as a “full mission” F/A-18 simulator, the centrifuge is an essential physiological training device, shows good potential as a part-task trainer for departure/spin training, and should continue to play a role in the F/A-18 training continuum.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Florida, 2001. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 68 p.; also contains graphics. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 64-67).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / 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 (March 1, 2007) Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

<p>The aims of this study were therefore: 1) to test the suitability of various seaweed-based diets against that of the formulated feed Abfeed&reg / -S34 on the growth of the abalone H. midae / and 2) to compare the growth of H. midae fed protein-enriched U. lactuca as opposed to those fed wild, naturally low protein U. lactuca in both single-species and mixed feeds.</p>

For the induction heating process of bi-metallic tubes, the inner tube of alloy-layer is much easier to cause a lot of defects of cavities due to the fact that heating power, maximum temperature value and the time frame of temperature retention were chosen improperly. This research focuses on the effect of maximum temperature value and the time frame of temperature retention on the micro-structure and defects of cavities of the Nickel-based alloy-layer. The experiments of this study are divided into two parts. In the domain of the experiment in simulation fashion, Nickel-based alloy powders were put into the specimens of AISI 4140 steel. Radio Frequency (RF) oven were used to smelt Nickel-based alloy powders in the vacuum conditions over the maximum temperature range of 920~1180¢Jrespectively. After that, the time frame of temperature retention was conducted from 0 to 10 minutes. Then, the furnace-cooling went down to 700¢J then air-cooling down to the room temperature. Nickel-based alloy-layer, microstructure, component analysis, defects of cavities of the interface between Nickel-based alloy-layer and steels, and diffusion of interfaces were analyzed using optical microscopes (OM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). From the experiments, it was found that Nickel-based alloy-layer consisted of £^-Ni¡BCrB¡BCr7C3 over the maximum temperature range of 920~1050¢Jwhether temperature retention is performed or not. According to the findings of metallographic observation, the increase of coarsening and the reduction of the capacity of CrB and Cr7C3 become more obvious as maximum temperature value and the time frame of temperature retention become large. In addition, the whitening layer (diffusion zone) formed between the interface of alloy-layer and steels become much wider as maximum temperature value and the time frame of temperature retention become large. Secondly, the field experiment method was also applied in this paper. The tube rich in Nickel-based alloy powders was heating to analyze induction coil in various conditions: heating power (200~285KW), maximum temperature value (1020~1040¢J), the time frame of temperature retention (10, 30, 50sec), and the rotating speed (1000~1300rpm). The results of the experiments indicated that the surface of the alloy-layer cause defects of vermicular cavities since the volume of liquid cannot fill out the crack of cavities completely due to lower temperature when there is insufficient time; too long periods of the time frame of temperature retention lead to the tough and huge dendrites to obstacle the flowing of liquid and the solidification of shrinkage cavity. According to the observation of the microstructure, the larger the maximum temperature value and the time frame of temperature retention were, the more the dendrites formed. The formation of dendrites causes not only the uneven distribution of hardening phase of CrB and Cr7C3 of the alloy-layer but also the reduction of hardness of the alloy-layer. The dendrites are typically formed from the interface to the surface of the alloy-layer. Besides that, the alloy-layer mainly consists of £^-Ni, Ni3B, Ni3Si, CrB, and Cr7C3 via X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Among them, the main hardening phases are CrB and Cr7C3 which is the main reason that the alloy-layer has high-level hardness. As maximum temperature value and the time frame of temperature retention become large, the whitening layer (diffusion zone) was formed between the interface of alloy-layer become much wider because the faster the elements of the based materials (tube) diffused and the wider the intermetallic compound formed among the interfaces. After heated for 800 seconds over the temperature range of 750~1030¢J, iron element was diffused all over the alloy-layer. The increase of coarsening and the reduction of the capacity near interface and interface become more obvious as maximum temperature value and the time frame of temperature retention become large.

Governance is a response to a recognition that traditional forms of decision-making have become inadequate to address complex societal and health problems generated by significant social and global changes (Chhotray & Stoker, 2009). The contributions of scientific and technical knowledge towards solving these complex problems have also been recognized as insufficient (Jasanoff, 2007). Community-based research (CBR) is an approach to research which is designed to make use of the knowledge of community and university members and their participation and collaboration ―in all phases of the research process, with a shared goal of producing knowledge that will be translated into action or positive change for the community‖ (Lantz, Israel, Schulz & Reyes, 2006, p. 239). However, although the contributions of lay knowledge have been acknowledged, how governance or collaborative decision-making is arranged in the context of community-based research is not well described in the literature. In order to address this knowledge gap, a study was undertaken in which in-depth interviews were conducted with community and university members of Canadian CBR collaborations to determine their governing experiences. Results are reported in a thesis by research papers. The first paper focuses on describing the governance structures that CBR collaborations used. In the second paper, the nature and content of problems which occurred in governing CBR collaborations, point to the importance of theory for conceptualizing and solving governance problems. To develop a theory of participation in governance of community-based research, the third paper uses Arnstein‘s theory of participation to propose a grounded theoretical basis for implementing participation in governance of CBR collaborations (Arnstein, 1969). Governance is a means of organizing, shaping and steering a course of decision-making. Governance is a critical component in the organization of knowledge production. Study and theory of governance in community-based research may help in improving understanding and implementation of a critical population health practice.

There are two main objectives of this thesis. First, to review the social science evidence on the extent to which different police practices have been proven to reduce crime, or not reduce crime, as well as those cases where the evidence is not clear. This thesis synthesizes crime reduction strategies to short-list those practices that are proven to reduce crime. Second, it uses the evidence collected to facilitate an exploratory case study with three key informants from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS). The case study examines the current use and perceived future role of the police in evidence-based crime prevention efforts. Overall, the research study seeks to answer the following four research questions: 1. What sources of literature provide well-researched and reliable data on effectiveness of policing in crime reduction? 2. In this literature, what policing strategies/practices are shown to reduce crime, not reduce crime or are promising in reducing crime? 3. To what extent is the OPS using evidence-based knowledge to guide their policing strategy/practices? 4. To what extent is the OPS open to using evidence-based knowledge to guide their policing strategy/practices in the future?

Rationale: Mental health (MH) issues are increasing on post-secondary campuses particularly with ethnic students. This study aimed to establish the effectiveness of web-based MH education. Methods: A three-phase design was used with non-random sampling. An interest questionnaire addressed students’ (n=42) interest/preferred method of MH education in the first phase. In the second phase, a pre/post knowledge test/attitude scale assessed Mindsight’s (a web-based tool for MH education) effectiveness with ethnic students from the initial sample (n=13). In the final phase, ethnic students provided feedback on Mindsight’s effectiveness during focus groups/telephone interviews. Results: Most students considered MH education important and would use web-based tools. All students showed an increase in MH knowledge and most showed a decrease in stigmatizing attitudes. Mindsight was considered easy to use and interactive, however lacked in ethnic sensitivity. Conclusion: Web-based MH education has potential; however, ethnic sensitivity needs to be addressed. / UOIT