<p> </p> <p>     The purpose of this study was to explore the rural schooling experience of ten high school students attending a small high school located in a rural county in Indiana regarding college and postsecondary aspirations. Specifically, do they have a positive, negative, or neutral view of college? Who or what is influencing their perceptions, values, and beliefs regarding college? Also, this study focused on rural Indiana, providing a Middle America “rural focus” because it is not prevalent in the literature. This qualitative single case study used a sociocultural framework and utilized information gathered from student personal essays, and semi-structured focus group interviews, which provided insights into how rural students perceive college. In addition to the student perspectives, the high school principal and college and career guidance counselor were also interviewed to provide context regarding the culture of the school, community, family involvement, and socioeconomic metrics and how these factors influence the educational and occupational aspirations of students at the site school. Each interview was recorded, transcribed, and coded for data analysis. The data were analyzed using open coding as articulated by Given (2008) as well as the eight-step focus coding process articulated by Tesch (1990) to identify emergent themes. Six themes emerged as providing perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs regarding college as well as the sociocultural and habitus influences concerning educational and occupational aspirations: (1) schooling experience; (2) juxtaposition of postsecondary education; (3) college is expensive; (4) guidance counselor- too many hats and limited resources; (5) influences of educational and occupational aspirations; (6) athletics – more than an extracurricular activity. Results showed the significance of the secondary schooling experience and the juxtaposition of postsecondary education, specifically concerning skilled trade occupations, especially for male students. The cost of college was discerning for the students as well as the burden of paying for college. Attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs differed based on perceived academic ability and gender. This study offers insights into the cultural role of the family, school, and community regarding postsecondary aspirations and how to increase postsecondary matriculation rate of rural youth. </p>

No description available.

Upon entering middle school, students within the study district in southeastern Tennessee had low literacy proficiency scores on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) for 3 consecutive years. Middle school administrators implemented a program called Lexile Framework (LF) into the literacy curriculum in 2011 to improve TCAP scores. However, the change in literacy scores had not been examined following the implementation of LF. The purpose of this quasi-experimental research study was to examine the differences in literacy scores on TCAP of students across the years of pre- and post-LF implementation into the curriculum (2009-2011 and 2012-2014). The theoretical framework for this research study was Vygotsky's social development theory used within the LF to create student-centered learning in order for students to construct new knowledge by making connections with their literacy experiences. With a convenience sample of 225 students, a repeated-measure analysis of variance determined if there was a significant change in the archived matched literacy TCAP scores before and after the implementation of LF. The multivariate tests indicated a significant (Wilk's Î? = .21, F (3, 222) = 276.85, p < .01) and linear effect (F (1, 224) = 709.75, p < .01) with partial eta squared (η2 = .76) of LF on literacy TCAP scores of students across the years of pre- and post-LF implementation. Positive social change implications include providing school administrators with research findings to inform district-wide decisions regarding the use of LF in the curricula in their middle schools. Increasing students' literacy TCAP scores may ultimately improve graduation rates for students.

In this paper numerical flow calculations with respect to the annular gaps with added radial grooves normaly used on the spools of directional control valves were carried out. The impact of various annular gap geometries and radial grooves during variable pressure conditions, and while using different hydraulic fluids, on the flows through annular gaps were investigated for different flow regimes. Samples with different geometries and numbers of radial groves on the spool of the directional control valve were also made for the purpose of carrying out flow measurements. The two different hydraulic fluids that were used in the numerical simulations and for the flow measurements were a hydraulic mineral oil and tap water. The results of the numerical calculations for the different models of the radial grooves with axially symmetric geometries show their impact on the internal leakage with respect to three different regimes of flow. The results of the numerical calculations based on the use of a hydraulic oil show a trend that was established by the experimental investigation.

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>The aim of this study was twofold. On the one hand, the aim was to discuss how lexical gaps can be solved or dealt with when a text about wildlife and nature different from that of the target culture is translated. On the other hand, the aim was also to discuss how the style and tone of such a text can be preserved and transferred into the target text. The study was qualitative and based on a translation into Swedish of short chapters of the book <em>Spirit of the Bush</em> by Peter Borchert, describing the South African wildlife and nature. The intended target reader of the translation is anyone with an interest in nature, wildlife and animals, as well as anyone with an interest in the history and culture of South Africa. Despite the fact that the terminology used in both the source text and the target text may require some previous knowledge on behalf of the reader, both texts could, nevertheless, very well be appreciated by a complete “wildlife-novice”. In order to create a theoretical base and a framework for the analysis, relevant research made in translation theory and stylistics was presented and discussed. Regarding lexical gaps, all the different strategies, apart from omission, proved to be of great help when the source text was translated into Swedish. Several examples of metaphors were discussed, such as how the wilderness is described as a <em>stage</em>, the animals as <em>actors</em>, and the visitors as making a <em>pilgrimage</em>. The metaphors in combination with the similes and the personifications in the source text, such as <em>bold</em> clouds and <em>confident</em> rivulets, fire the readers’ imagination and create a very vivid and capturing text. This is also something that supports the claim made that <em>Spirit of the Bush</em> is more than an ordinary informative text.</p><p> </p><p>Keywords: translation, lexical gaps, style, tone, stylistics, wildlife, bush.</p><p> </p>

<p>Istraživanje koje je sprovedeno u okviru disertacije poslužilo je za definisanje matematičkog modela koji se može primeniti u postupku određivanja nivoa usluge za nesignalisane pešačke prelaze. Formirani model za proračun stepena propuštanja pešaka u uslovima lokalnog odvijanja saobraćaja zavisi od protoka pešaka i vozila, strukture saobraćajnog toka (učešće autobusa i teretnih vozila) i smera kretanja vozila na lokaciji pešačkog prelaza. U okviru disertacije izvršena je analiza pešačkih intervala prilikom prelaska kolovoza. Uporednom analizom prihvatljivih i kritičnih intervala dobijen je model ponašanja pešaka u zavisnosti od karakteristika lokacije nesignalisanog pešačkog prelaza. Utvrđena je zavisnost između dužine prihvaćenih intervala pešaka prilikom prelaska kolovoza i uslova odvijanja saobraćaja, polnih karakteristika pešaka i broja pešaka koji prelaze kolovoz na nesignalisanom pešačkom prelazu.</p> / <p>The study, which was conducted within the thesis, has served to define a mathematical model that can be applied in the process of determining the level of service at unsignalized pedestrian crossings. The formed model for motorist yield rate, in terms of the local pedestrian traffic flow, depends on pedestrian and vehicular flow rate, traffic flow structure (the share of buses and freight vehicles), and vehicle moving at the location of a pedestrian crossing. The pedestrian gap acceptance behaviour has also been analysed. Comparative analysis of acceptable and critical pedestrian gap was conducted. Model of pedestrian behaviour, which depending on the site characteristics, was formed and it has been proven a correlation between the length of the accepted pedestrian gaps and the roadway and traffic conditions, gender characteristics and the number of pedestrians at unsignalized crossings.</p>

Introduction and objectives In Vietnam, the forest resources have been declining and degrading severely in recent years. The degradation has decreased the natural forest area, changed the forest structure seriously and reduced timber volume and biodiversity. From 1999 to 2005, the rich forest area has decreased 10.2%, whereas the poor secondary forest has increased dramatically by 20.7%. Forest structure plays an important role in forestry research. Understanding forest structure will unlock an understanding of the history, function and future of a forest ecosystem (Spies, 1998). The forest structure is an excellent basis for restoration measures. Therefore, this research is necessary to contribute to improving forest area and quality, reducing difficulties in forest management. The study also enhances the grasp of forest structure, structure changes after harvesting and fills serious gaps in knowledge. In addition, the research results will contribute to improving and rescuing the poor secondary forest and restoring it, approaching the old-growth forest in Vietnam. Material and methods The study was conducted in Kon Ka Kinh national park. The park is located in the Northeastern region of Gia Lai province, 50 km from Pleiku city center to the Northeast. The park is distributed over seven different communes in three districts: K’Bang, Mang Yang and Đăk Đoa. Data were collected from 10 plots of secondary forests (Type IIb) and 10 plots of primeval forests (Type IV). Stratified random sampling was applied to select plot locations. 1 ha plots were used to investigate gaps. 2000 m2 plots were used to measure overstorey trees such as diameter at breast height, total height, crown width and species names. 500 m2 subplots were used to record tree positions. For regeneration, 25 systematic 4 m2 subplots were established inside 1 ha plots. After data were collected in the field, data analyses were conducted by using R and Excel. Firstly, some stand information, such as density, volume and so on, was calculated, and then descriptive statistics were computed for diameter and height variables. Linear mixed effect models were applied to analyze the difference of diameter and height and to check the effect of random factor between the two forest types. Diameter and height frequency distributions were also generated and compared by using permutational analysis of variance (PERMANOVA). Non-linear regression models were analyzed for diameter and height variables. Similar analyses were implemented for gaps. Regarding spatial point patterns of overstorey trees, replicated point pattern analysis techniques were applied in this research. For biodiversity, some calculations were run such as richness and biodiversity indices, comparison of biodiversity indices by using linear mixed models and biodiversity differences between two forest types tested again by permutational analysis of variance. In terms of regeneration, some analyses were implemented such as: height frequency distribution generation, frequency difference testing, biodiversity indices for the regeneration and spatial distribution checking by using a nonrandomness index. Results and discussion After analyzing the data, some essential findings were obtained as follows: Hypothesis H1 “The overstorey structure of secondary forests is more homogeneous and uniform than old-growth forests” is accepted. In other words, the secondary forest density is about 1.8 times higher than the jungle. However, the volume is only 0.56 times as large. The average diameter and height of the secondary forest is smaller by 5.71 cm and 3.73 m than the old-growth forest, respectively. Linear mixed effect model results indicate that this difference is statistically different and the effect of the random factor (Section) is not important. Type IIb has many small trees and the diameter frequency distribution is quite homogeneous. The old-growth forest has more big trees. For both forest stages, the height frequency distribution is positively skewed. PERMANOVA results illustrate that the frequency distribution is statistically different between the two forest types. Regression functions are also more variant and diverse in the old-growth forest, because all standard deviations of the parameters are greater there. Gap analysis results indicate that the number of gaps in the young forest is slightly higher, while the average gap size is much smaller. The gap frequency distribution is statistically different between the two types. In terms of the spatial point pattern of overlayer trees, the G-test and the pair correlation function results show that trees distribute randomly in the secondary forest. In contrast, the spatial point patterns of trees are more regular and diverse in the old-growth forest. The spatial point pattern difference is not significant, and this is proved by a permutational t-test for pair correlation function (pcf). Envelope function results indicate that the variation of pcf in young forests is much lower than in the primary forests. Hypothesis H2 “The overstorey species biodiversity of the secondary forest is less than in the old-growth forest” is rejected. Results show that the number of species of the secondary forest is much greater than in the old-growth forest, especially richness. The richness of the secondary forest is 1.16 times higher. The Simpson and Shannon indices are slightly smaller in the secondary forest. The average Simpson index for both forest stages is 0.898 and 0.920, respectively. However, the difference is not significant. Species accumulation curves become relatively flatter on the right, meaning a reasonable number of plots have been observed. Estimated number of species from accumulation curves in two forest types are 105 and 95/ha. PERMANOVA results show that number of species and proportion of individuals in each species are significantly different between forest types. Hypothesis H3 “The number regenerating species of the secondary forest is less and they distribute more regularly, compared to the old-growth forest” is rejected. There are both similarities and differences between the two types. The regeneration density of the stage IIb is 22,930 seedlings/ha, greater than the old forest by 9,030 seedlings. The height frequency distribution shows a decreasing trend. Similar to overstorey, the richness of the secondary forest is 141 species, higher than the old-growth forest by 9 species. Biodiversity indices are not statistically different between two types. PERMANOVA results indicate that the number of species and the proportion of individuals for each species are also not significantly different from observed forest types. Nonrandomness index results show that the regeneration distributes regularly. Up to 95% of the plots reflect this distribution trend. Hypothesis H4 “Restoration measures (with and without human intervention) could be implemented in the regenerating forest” is accepted. The investigated results show that the secondary forest still has mother trees, and it has enough seedlings to restore. Therefore, restoration solutions with and without human intervention can be implemented. Firstly, forest protection should be applied. This measure is relevant to national park regulations in Vietnam. Rangers and other related organizations will be responsible for carrying out protection activities. These activities will protect forest resources from illegal logging, grazing and tourist activities. Environmental education and awareness-raising activities for indigenous people is also important. Another measure is additional and enrichment planting. It should focus on exclusive species of the overstorey in Type IIb or exclusive species of the primary forest. Selection of these species will lead to species biodiversity increase in the future. This also meets the purpose of the maximum biodiversity solution. Conclusion Forest resources play a very important role in human life as well as maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems. However, at present, they are under serious threat, particularly in Vietnam. Central Highland, Vietnam, where forest resources are still relatively good, is also threatened by illegal logging, lack of knowledge of people and so on. Therefore, it needs the hands of the people, especially foresters and researchers. Through research, scientists can provide the knowledge and understanding of the forest, including the structure and forest restoration. This study has obtained important findings. The secondary forest is more homogeneous and uniform, while the old-growth forest is very diverse. Biodiversity of the overstorey in the secondary forest is more than the primary. The number of regenerating species in the secondary forest is higher, but other indices are not statistically different between two types. The regeneration distribute regularly on the ground. The secondary forest still has mother trees and sufficient regeneration, so some restoration measures can be applied here. Findings of the study contribute to improve people’s understanding of the structure and the structural changes after harvesting in Kon Ka Kinh national park, Gia Lai. That is a key to have better understandings of the history and values of the forests. These findings and the proposed restoration measures address rescuing degraded forests in Central Highland in particular and Vietnam in general. And further, this is a promising basis for the management and sustainable use of forest resources in the future.

This thesis explores the relationship between gender policy, gender culture, and political participation in unified Germany. It investigates the extent to which political regimes shape citizens' attitudes towards gender roles and examines the effect of such attitudes on women's participation in politics. The thesis is divided into three parts: The first part explores the differences in gender regime types between the former German Democratic Republic and Federal Republic of Germany during the Cold War period. Building on existing studies, the analysis considers how generations that were socialised in the divided Germany differ in their attitudes toward gender roles. It finds that citizens from West Germany are more socially conservative than citizens from the East. The second part of the thesis tests the effects of these traditional gender attitudes on citizens' participation, focusing on party membership. The analysis highlights that gender gaps in formal political participation in unified Germany still exist, but that these gaps are smaller in the new federal states. The investigation further shows that traditional gender attitudes exert a negative effect on women’s political engagement beyond the predictive power of socio-economic and demographic factors. The final part of this thesis casts a critical look at the political controversy in Germany over the introduction of a cash-for-care subsidy (the so-called Betreuungsgeld). It explores the normative assumptions and ideas about gender roles that have been promoted by Germany's main political parties throughout the policy negotiation process. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, the research presented in this thesis draws on, and contributes to, studies on gender, welfare states, political socialisation, and political participation.

This work is analysing discrimination of ethnic minorities in the Czech labour market between the years 2000 and 2009. Differences in employment rates between immigrants and natives are investigated using the EU LFS data. The empirical part is devoted to the verification of hypotheses and assumptions. By applying both, simple statistical methods and robust regressions, we obtain consistent results confirming the discrimination against foreigners in the labour market. The examination of employment rates of the immigrants by gender shows that men have in most cases better economic position than women. Furthermore, employment of foreigners in relation to the reached level of education is monitored, indicating the discrimination of immigrant workers with college degrees. Interesting is the outcome of the investigation of the change in the data after the breakthrough in 2004, when the Czech Republic along with other Eastern and Central European countries joined the European Union. Although the differences in employment rates of foreigners and natives are mainly obvious till 2004, since 2005 foreigners' employment rates have often increased. After a closer examination, this change can be ascribed rather to changes in the composition of immigrant or in migration trends influenced by the EU accession than...

Ce travail de recherche s’interroge sur la perception et la représentation discursive de référents exotiques perses filtrées par un regard occidental dans vingt récits de voyageurs français du XIXe siècle. Les énonciateurs-voyageurs, placés dans un contexte linguistique et culturel étranger, tentent de saisir et de transcrire leurs observations sur le terrain en fonction de leur intellect, leur cognition, leur expérience, leur sensation et sentiment. Cette représentation n’est pas plate, objective ou neutre. Une série d’éléments discursifs, langagiers, culturels, subjectifs et marqués par l’altérité viennent modifier la représentation que l’auteur-voyageur donne du référent et de l’univers référentiel auquel il est confronté. C’est à cette « façon occidentale » de voir les « choses orientales » et à l’intervention de l’idéologie (subjective ou intersubjective) que nous nous intéressons dans cette étude. Il ne s’agit pas pour autant d’établir une dichotomie entre une bonne ou une mauvaise vision du monde dans un espace décalé mais uniquement de relever sur le plan langagier et discursif, les éléments qui traduisent cet « écart sémantico-référentiel » dans la représentation du référent dans ce type de texte. Pour mener cette recherche nous avons dû articuler trois niveaux d’analyse : lexical, textuel et discursif. Un cadre historique, contextuel et théorique est d’abord élaboré pour laisser ensuite la place à la question de la représentation et des contraintes (textuelles, subjectives, idéologiques) de cette transmission de données majoritairement descriptives. Nous analysons les effets discursifs produits par l’usage des ressources linguistiques ainsi que par les positionnements énonciatifs des auteurs-voyageurs. Ces outils d’analyse langagiers et discursifs permettent de mettre en relief ce regard marqué par l’altérité dans vingt récits de voyageurs français. Les résultats de cette analyse critique discursive constituent autant de données concrètes à insérer dans le champ des études postcoloniales et de la critique de l’orientalisme. / This work investigates the perception and the discursive representation of Persian exotic referents filtered by a western look in nineteen travel stroeis of French travelers of the nineteenth century. Traveler-enunciators, placed in a foreign linguistic and cultural context, attempt to transcribe what they see according to their intellect, cognition, experience and feelings. This representation is not flat, objective or neutral. A series of discursive, linguistic, cultural, subjective elements marked by alterity filter the perception or modify the representation that the author-traveler gives of the referent and the referential universe to which he is confronted. It is in this "western way" of seeing "oriental things" and the question of subjectivity in the representation of the other that we are interested in this study. It is not necessary to establish a dichotomy between a good or a bad vision of the world in a space shifted but only to raise linguistically and discursively the elements that translate this "semantic-referential gap" in the representation of the referent in this type of text. To carry out this research we had to articulate three levels of analysis: lexicon, textuality and discourse. Information on the context is first proposed to leave room for the question of the representation and the restrictions (textual, subjective, ideological) of this transmission of data mainly descriptive. We analyze the discursive effects produced by the use of these linguistic resources and by the enunciative positions. These linguistic and discursive analysis tools make it possible to highlight this look marked by otherness in nineteen travel stories. The results of this critical discursive analysis constitute so much concrete data to be inserted in the field of the postcolonial of Orientalism.