This research examines the sense-making activities of women who engage in intimate relationships with women following a significant period of heterosexual marriage. Using data gathered through interviews with 36 women, the study explores how subjects use common cultural ideas about sexuality to frame the stories they tell to explain their sexual histories. The idea that sexuality is something one is born with, rather than a choice is on the rise in the United States. This essentialist view in conjunction with cultural ideas about the timing at which sexuality is supposed to emerge implies that people should be "aware" of their sexuality at adolescence. For many of the women in the study that "normal" timing was not the case. In addition to the essentialist supposition is the notion the sexuality is binary. One is either heterosexual or one is the particular type of person known as the homosexual, a construct created in the 19th century that continues to be an important part of modern understandings of sexuality. Women who have spent significant time as heterosexuals and go on to have intimate relationships with women must contend with these cultural understandings as they try to make sense to themselves of a sexual story that seems to lie outside the bounds of that hegemonic narrative. Using modified grounded theory to analyze the collected interviews, four story types emerged. These four story types evinced different levels and types of commitment to the views of sexuality that exist in both the mainstream culture and the gay and lesbian community. They include "Always Knew" and "Retrospective" stories, which demonstrated a close commitment to the dominant narrative. The other two types - "Shifter" stories and "Left Fielder" stories - were more loosely connected to the ideas of essential and binary sexuality. As these stories emerged additional insights were provided in the form of the women's discussions of the impact of the social world in terms of lesbian invisibility, lesbian imagery, homophobia, and group or individual support for telling certain types of stories and/or taking on a lesbian identity. This study builds on, and adds to, scholarship in a number of areas. These include: narrative and identity; the social construction of sexuality; the changing nature of biography as people strive to make the past make sense of the present; and the influence of hegemonic cultural ideas in important areas of social and personal life. Additionally the study provides some insight into how heterosexuality is both a "goes without saying" sexuality route as well as a sometimes problematic achievement. / Sociology

This project sought to evaluate the effects of video prompting in combination with backwards chaining to increase proficiency of tying shoe-laces using a changing criterion design. Two children, one diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and one neurotypical were invited to participate in this study. Following baseline, shoe-tying prompt videos and backwards chaining were used to teach shoe-tying. Video prompting plus backwards chaining increased the typically developing participant’s proficiency with performing a larger percentage of steps of the targeted skill independently following intervention. However, the participant with ASD was unable to meet criterion and the study was terminated for him due to challenging behavior. These results indicate that the combination of point-of-view video prompts along with backwards chaining can be effective in teaching children to tie their shoelaces. These results also indicate that children with ASD may need additional supports with this intervention to reach acquisition criterion. Parents reported satisfaction both with the procedures undertaken and with the outcomes of the intervention. / Applied Behavioral Analysis

At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and with the closure of schools, the question of how to continue schooling became a major challenge in education systems (Kong, 2020). Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERTL) has since become the only solution to continue the learning process. Moving instruction to ERTL is based on the assumption that virtual learning can be effective in K-12 settings during times of disaster. The purpose of this study was to explore Saudi teachers' experiences in leading ERTL in K-12 settings and employed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews. This study included six K-12 public schools in Saudi Arabia from different educational levels. Participants were asked to share their perspectives and experiences with ERTL through open-ended questions. The findings revealed the experiences of K-12 teachers during the quick transition to ERTL (redesign support, technological, pedagogical, and classroom management training), the changes that occurred in their practice (teaching and assessment strategies), the implementation of ERTL (challenges and other aspects), the impact of ERTL after the pandemic, and the lessons learned from the crisis. The results of this study suggest that a curse may be turned into a blessing by incorporating the experience of ERTL (using technology, lesson design, and online activities) into the school agenda on a regular basis. In doing so, teachers and students may develop important digital competencies and be better prepared for the next emergency. The implications of our findings and limitations are also discussed. / Doctor of Philosophy / Due to the urgent need for those in the education profession to change teaching modes, Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERTL) which is defined as "a temporary shift of instructional delivery to an alternate delivery mode due to crisis circumstances. It involves the use of fully remote teaching solutions for instruction or education that would otherwise be delivered face-to-face or as blended or hybrid courses and that will return to that format once the crisis or emergency has abated." (Hodges et al., 2020). ERTL came to serve all levels of learners in response to the crisis of COVID-19. The use of ERTL was unplanned, but helped to assure continuity of learning. This rapid shift forced faculty to take courses that were designed for in-classroom teaching, and transition them to an online learning format, causing challenges to teachers and students. The purpose of this study was to explore Saudi teachers' experiences in leading Emergency Remote Teaching and Learning (ERTL) in K-12 settings, and employed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews. This study included six K-12 public schools in Saudi Arabia from different educational levels. Participants were asked to share their perspectives and experiences with ERTL through open-ended questions. The findings revealed the experiences of K-12 teachers during the quick transition to ERTL (redesign support, technological, pedagogical, and classroom management training), the changes that occurred in their practice (teaching and assessment strategies), the implementation of ERTL (challenges and other aspects), the impact of ERTL after the pandemic, and the lessons learned from the crisis. The results of this study suggest that a curse may be turned into a blessing by incorporating the experience of ERTL (using technology, lesson design, and online activities) into the school agenda on a regular basis. In this way, teachers and students may develop important digital competencies, and be better prepared for the next emergency. The implications of our findings and limitations were also discussed.

A one-dimensional model of a heterogeneous material consisting of a matrix with embedded separated particles is considered, and the melting or solidification of the particles is investigated. The matrix is in imperfect contact with the particles, and the lumped capacity approximation applies to each individual particle. Heat is generated inside the particles or is transferred from the matrix to the particles coupled through a contact conductance. The matrix is not allowed to change phase and energy is either generated inside the matrix or transferred from the boundaries, which is initially conducted through the matrix material. The physical model of this coupled, two-step heat transfer process is solved using the energy method. The investigation is conducted in several phases using a building block approach. First, a lumped capacity system during phase transition is studied, then a one-dimensional homogeneous material during phase change is investigated, and finally the one-dimensional heterogeneous material is analyzed. A numerical solution based on the finite difference method is used to solve the model equations. This method allows for any kind of boundary conditions, any combination of material properties, particle sizes and contact conductance. In addition, computer programs, using Mathematica, are developed for the lumped capacity system, homogeneous material, and heterogeneous material. Results show the effects of control volume thickness, time step, contact conductance, material properties, internal sources, and external sources. / Master of Science

Yes / Consumers have the multiple options to choose their products and services, which have a significant impact on the pattern of consumer decision making in digital market and further increases the challenges for the service providers to predict their buying pattern. In this sense, the purpose of this paper is to propose a structural hierarchy model for analyzing the changing pattern of consumer decision making in digital market by taking an Indian context. Design/methodology/approach: To accomplish the objectives, the research is conducted in two phases. An extensive literature review is performed in the first phase to list the factors related to the changing pattern of consumer decision making in digital market and then fuzzy Delphi method is applied to finalize the factors. In the second phase, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is employed to find the priority weights of finalized factors. The fuzzy set theory allows capturing the vagueness in the data. Findings: The findings obtained in this study shows that consumers are much conscious about innovative and trendy products as well as brand and quality; therefore, the service providers must think about these two most important factors so that they can able to retain their consumer in their online portal. Practical implications: The analysis shows that “innovative and trendy” is the first priority factor for the consumers followed by “brand and quality” and “fulfilment and time energy.” The proposed model can help the marketers and service providers in predicting customers’ preferences and their changing pattern efficiently under vague surroundings. The outcomes of this research work not only help the service provider to update their products and services according to consumers’ needs but can also help them to increase profit and minimize their risk. Originality/value: This work contributes to consumer research literature focusing on problem evaluation in the context of changing pattern of consumer decision making in digital era.

Changing Lines is a collection of five short stories that focus on pairings of opposites. In the title story, a boy in split custody chooses whether to live with his fundamentalist Christian father or his occult mother. In "Diminishing Returns," a gifted girl is paired with an incompetent girl for a badminton tournament in her high school gym class. In "Invisible Orbits," a talented guitarist in poverty joins the band of a wealthy and well-connected singer. In "Unable to Die," an older therapist confronts her past as she consoles a grieving student facing his uncertain future. The collection closes on "The Color in Your Cheeks," the story of a successful game developer who finds out his younger brother has run away from home to make adult videos with their childhood next-door neighbor. The stories all center on the tension and change liable to occur when heavily contrasting individuals are forced to interact, portraying how these worldviews are formed with an aim at psychological and sociological nuance. While each story is told in a traditional linear narrative style, the collection is varied in its use of point of view and vantage point. Questioning truisms serves as the main driving force of the collection, while the themes of how neuroses are formed in childhood, spirituality, projection of one's own weakness onto others, coping mechanisms, the psychological effects of demographical status, and internalized contempt are all explored in varying degrees.

Les structures planaires de tailles finies sont de plus en plus utilisées dans les applications des satellites et des radars. Deux grands types de ces structures sont les plus utilisés dans le domaine de la conception RF à savoir Les Surfaces Sélectives en Fréquence (FSS) et les Reflectarrays. Les FSSs sont un élément clé dans la conception de systèmes multifréquences. Elles sont utilisées comme filtre en fréquence, et trouvent des applications telles que les radômes, les réflecteurs pour antenne Cassegrain, etc. Les performances des FSSs sont généralement évaluées en faisant l'hypothèse d'une FSS de dimension infinie et périodique en utilisant les modes de Floquet, le temps de calcul étant alors réduit quasiment à celui de la cellule élémentaire. Plusieurs méthodes permettant la prise en compte de la taille finie des FSSs ont été développées. La méthode de Galerkin basée sur l'approche rigoureuse permet la prise en compte des interactions entre les différents éléments du réseau, mais cette technique ne fonctionne que pour les FSSs de petite taille, typiquement 3x3 éléments. Pour les grands réseaux, cette méthode n'est plus adaptée, car le temps de calcul et l'exigence en mémoire deviennent trop grands. Donc, une autre approche est utilisée, celle basée sur la décomposition spectrale en onde plane. Elle permet de considérer un réseau fini comme un réseau périodique infini, illuminé partiellement par une onde plane. Avec cette approche, des FSSs de grande taille sont simulées, mais elle ne permet pas dans la plupart des cas, de prendre en compte les couplages qui existent entre les différentes cellules du réseau, les effets de bord non plus. La simulation des FSSs par les méthodes numériques classiques basées sur une discrétisation spatiale (méthode des éléments finis, méthode des différences finies, méthode des moments) ou spectrale (méthodes modales) aboutit souvent à des matrices mal conditionnées, des problèmes de convergence numérique et/ou des temps de calcul excessifs. Pour éviter tous ces problèmes, une technique appelée technique par changements d'échelle tente de résoudre ces problèmes. Elle est basée sur le partitionnement de la géométrie du réseau en plusieurs sous-domaines imbriqués, définis à différents niveaux d'échelle du réseau. Le multi-pôle de changement d'échelle, appelé Scale-Changing Networks (SCN), modélise le couplage électromagnétique entre deux échelles successives. La cascade de ces multi-pôles de changement d'échelle, permet le calcul de la matrice d'impédance de surface de la structure complète et donc la modélisation globale du réseau. Ceci conduit à une réduction significative en termes de temps de calcul et d'espace mémoire par rapport aux méthodes numériques classiques. Comme le calcul des multi-pôles de changement d'échelle est mutuellement indépendant, les temps d'exécution peuvent encore être réduits de manière significative en parallélisant le calcul. La SCT permet donc de modéliser des FSSs Finies tout en prenant en compte le couplage entre les éléments adjacents du réseau. / The finite size planar structures are increasingly used in applications of satellite and radar. Two major types of these structures are the most used in the field of RF design ie Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) and the Reflectarrays. The FSSs are a key element in the design of multifrequency systems. They are used as frequency filter, and find applications such as radomes, reflector Cassegrain antenna, etc.. The performances of FSSs are generally evaluated by assuming an infinite dimensional FSS using periodic Floquet modes, the computation time is then reduced almost to that of the elementary cell. Several methods have been developed for taking into account the finite dimensions of arrays. For example the Galerkin method uses a rigorous element by element approach. With this method, the exact interactions between the elements are taken into account but this technique works only for small FSS, typically 3x3 elements. For larger surfaces, this method is no more adapted. The computation time and the memory requirement become too large. So another approach is used based on plane wave spectral decomposition. It allows considering the finite problem as a periodic infinite one locally illuminated. With this approach, large FSS are indeed simulated, but the exact interactions between the elements are not taken into account, the edge effects either. The simulation of FSS by conventional numerical methods based on spatial meshing (finite element method, finite difference, method of moments) or spectral (modal methods) often leads in the practice to poorly conditioned matrices, numerical convergence problems or/and excessive computation time. To avoid these problems, a new technique called Scale Changing Technique attempts to solve these problems. The SCT is based on the partition of discontinuity planes in multiple planar sub-domains of various scale levels. In each sub- omain the higher-order modes are used for the accurate representation of the electromagnetic field local variations while low-order modes are used for coupling the various scale levels. The electromagnetic coupling between scales is modelled by a Scale Changing Network (SCN). As the calculation of SCN is mutually independent, the execution time can still be significantly reduced by parallelizing the computation. With the SCT, we can simulate large finite FSS, taking into account the exact interactions between elements, while addressing the problem of excessive computation time and memory

This research navigates the nuanced implications and intricate experiences tied to interacting with a shape-changing artifact conveying intimate data. The project follows an autobiographical soma design process where first-person exploration formed the design of The Pillow. The Pillow physically represents through its shape-changing elements, intimate data, particularly menstrual cycle data. I contribute an empirical study on the longer-term, in-situ deployment of shape-changing touch technology and present findings that capture the intimacy of the relationship cultivated with The Pillow over the course of two months. The Pillow’s shape-changing capability evoked emotional responses, including feelings of sadness and joy. The research suggests that establishing a connection through sensory engagement is a gradual process. Engaging with The Pillow through its dynamic touch fostered a deeper connection with the artifact, prompting more profound reflection on internal bodily changes, rather than solely relying on visual observation of the artifact. The study also uncovered that the way others interact with intimate data physicalization can impact the owner’s personal boundaries, highlighting the need for further exploration into individuals’ boundaries concerning the physicalization of intimate data in shared environments. / Denna forskning navigerar de nyanserade implikationerna och komplexa upplevelserna knutna till interaktion med en formförändrande artefakt som förmedlar intim data. Projektet följer en autobiografisk soma-designprocess där förstapersonsutforskning formade designen The Pillow. The Pillow representerar fysiskt genom sina formförändrande element intim data, särskilt menstruationscykeldata. Jag bidrar med en empirisk studie om den långsiktiga, in-situdeploateringen av formförändrande touchteknik och presenterar resultat som fångar intimarelationen som utvecklats med The Pillow under två månader. The Pillow:s formförändrande förmåga framkallade känslomässiga reaktioner, inklusive känslor av sorg och glädje. Forskningen antyder att etablerandet av en koppling genom sensorisk engagemang är en gradvis process. Att engagera sig med kudden genom dess dynamiska beröring främjade en djupare koppling med artefakten och stimulerade djupare reflektion över interna kroppsförändringar, snarare än att enbart förlita sig på visuell observation av artefakten. Studien avslöjade också att sättet andra interagerar med fysisk representation av intim data kan påverka ägarens personliga gränser och understryker behovet av ytterligare utforskning av individernas gränser gällande fysisk representation av intim data i delade miljöer.

In multibody systems, mechanical components (bodies) can be assumed rigid (non-deformable), if their deformation is negligible. For components with non-negligible deformations several methods were developed to represent their deformation. The most widely used method is the floating frame of reference. In this formulation the deformable body is represented by a finite element model whose deformation is described with respect to a local body-fixed frame. Unfortunately, finite element models can include many degrees-of-freedom, which stand in contradiction to the requirements of multibody dynamics. System truncation is therefore inevitable to support computational efficiency. The use of modal data in representing a deformable body is well understood in the multibody community. By truncating modes associated with higher frequencies, the total degrees-of-freedom of the deformable body can be reduced while preserving its dynamic eigen-properties. However, since the finite element model may be in contact with other moving bodies, the reduction technique needs to address the issue of moving boundary conditions. The component mode synthesis reduction methods are such techniques that describe the deflection of all the nodes as a superposition of different types of modes. However, it is limited in the fact that the nodes in contact need to remain in contact throughout a simulation. In some applications these nodes may change, i.e. a node that is in contact with another body or the ground at one instant may become free at the next instant. The present methodologies in multibody modeling of a deformable body with modal data have not yet addressed the issue of changing contact nodes. This research highlights the usefulness of orientation invariant characteristics of some deformable bodies. It proposes to define orientation invariant degrees-of-freedom of the reduced model in Eulerian space, while the remaining degrees-of-freedom are defined in Lagrangian space. In some circumstances, this approach can resolve the issue of changing contact nodes. The combination of Eulerian and Lagrangian formulation for component mode synthesis reduced finite element models is a new concept in deformable multibody dynamics.

Populations often experience environmental conditions that are variable both in space and in time. Understanding the demographic and evolutionary dynamics of populations in such variable environments has very practical implications for conservation biology, pest and pathogen control, management of antibiotic resistance. This thesis is an attempt to study the ecological and evolutionary implications of spatial and temporal variations of the environment.First, I study how spatially heterogeneous and temporally changing conditions influence the demographic dynamics of a genetically uniform population. The growth of the population is enhanced when individuals preferentially accumulate in high quality habitats. Migration between locations facilitates a good arrangement of individuals such that in general, an intermediate rate of migration maximizes the growth rate.Second, I develop a model where the growth rate of individuals depends on the environment but also on their genetic quality, and possibly on the interaction between the environment and the genotype. If the performance of different genotypes tradeoffs across the environments, several genotypes may be maintained locally in the environment that suit them and a pattern of local adaptation emerges. Moreover, I show that adaptation of populations to environmental fluctuations in the environment generates very dynamic changes in the genetic composition that lag behind the environmental change. Adaptation may be facilitated by the influx of migrants coming from other demes.How can we detect such patterns of adaptation in wild or experimental populations? I develop a formal analysis of several experimental and statistical techniques that are used to detect patterns of local and temporal adaptation. I provide recommendations regarding efficient experimental designs and statistical techniques to detect local adaptation. I also develop a new framework for the analysis of patterns of adaptation in time. I illustrate the potential use of this approach using a data set measuring the adaptation of HIV to the immune response of several recently infected patients. / Populations often experience environmental conditions that are variable both in space and in time. Understanding the demographic and evolutionary dynamics of populations in such variable environments has very practical implications for conservation biology, pest and pathogen control, management of antibiotic resistance. This thesis is an attempt to study the ecological and evolutionary implications of spatial and temporal variations of the environment.First, I study how spatially heterogeneous and temporally changing conditions influence the demographic dynamics of a genetically uniform population. The growth of the population is enhanced when individuals preferentially accumulate in high quality habitats. Migration between locations facilitates a good arrangement of individuals such that in general, an intermediate rate of migration maximizes the growth rate.Second, I develop a model where the growth rate of individuals depends on the environment but also on their genetic quality, and possibly on the interaction between the environment and the genotype. If the performance of different genotypes tradeoffs across the environments, several genotypes may be maintained locally in the environment that suit them and a pattern of local adaptation emerges. Moreover, I show that adaptation of populations to environmental fluctuations in the environment generates very dynamic changes in the genetic composition that lag behind the environmental change. Adaptation may be facilitated by the influx of migrants coming from other demes.How can we detect such patterns of adaptation in wild or experimental populations? I develop a formal analysis of several experimental and statistical techniques that are used to detect patterns of local and temporal adaptation. I provide recommendations regarding efficient experimental designs and statistical techniques to detect local adaptation. I also develop a new framework for the analysis of patterns of adaptation in time. I illustrate the potential use of this approach using a data set measuring the adaptation of HIV to the immune response of several recently infected patients.