The primary focus of this study examines the effectiveness of the CRIOSAT (Computerized Rotational Isometric and Orthographic Spatial) spatial ability treatment on a random sample of middle school students’ (n=137) spatial ability as measured by the Purdue Spatial Visualization Test: Rotations Test (PSVT-ROT) (Guay, 1977). The secondary focus of this study investigates the relationships between mathematical achievement, problem solving preferences, and spatial ability. The secondary focus was tested on a subsample (n=41), with the problem solving preferences measured via the Mathematical Processing Instrument (MPI) (Suwarsono, 1982). Findings indicated no significant gains in spatial ability scores after students’ use of the CRIOSAT treatment; while some increases in spatial ability took place in males. Significant positive correlation was identified between mathematics achievement and spatial ability; while conversely, a significant negative correlation was found between mathematics achievement and level of visual problem solving used by students.

Much is known about the atomic/molecular theories that govern adhesion as well as the macroscopic aspects and properties of adhesion. However, adhesion in the microparticle regime is poorly characterized. We report on experiments that use centrifugal force to remove polystyrene (PS) particles from the surface of a high-speed titanium rotor operated in vacuum. This unique rotor can apply forces far greater than other centrifugal force methods or related techniques using atomic force spectroscopy. The mode of attachment, whether particles were located on the windward side versus leeward side of the spinning rotor, time spent in vacuum prior to experiments, and surface imperfections all showed an effect on adhesion. Our observations show initial agreement with published results from atomic force spectroscopy experiments. We conclude that the liquid used to help suspend and apply the PS particles greatly influences the total adhesive forces present in the system. This in turn provides valuable clues as to the nature of the adhesive interaction.

No / Motion at the midfoot joints can contribute significantly to overall foot motion during gait. However, there is little information regarding the kinematic coupling relationship at the midfoot. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the coupling relationship at the midfoot and subtalar joints was affected when step width was manipulated during running. Twelve subjects ran over-ground at self-selected speeds using three different step widths (normal, wide, cross-over). Coupling at the midfoot (forefoot relative to rearfoot) and subtalar (rearfoot relative to shank) joints was assessed using cross-correlation techniques. Rearfoot kinematics were significantly different from normal running in cross-over running (P < 0.05) but not in wide running. However, coupling between rearfoot eversion/inversion and shank rotation was consistently high (r > 0.917), regardless of step width. This was also the case for coupling between rearfoot frontal plane motion and forefoot sagittal plane (r < 0.852) and forefoot transverse plane (r > 0.946) motion. There was little evidence of coupling between rearfoot frontal plane motion and forefoot frontal plane motion in any of the conditions. Forefoot frontal plane motion appeared to have little effect on rearfoot frontal plane motion and thus, had no effect on motion at the subtalar joint. The strong coupling of forefoot sagittal and transverse plane motions with rearfoot frontal plane motion suggests that forefoot motion exerts an important influence on subtalar joint kinematics.

<p> This thesis examines the rotation-vibration spectra of systems of two and three particles (spin zero). The results in the two-particle case agree with many of the gross features of the spectra of deformed axially symmetric even-even nuclei. In the three-particle case, the set of basis functions used i n the expansions of the wavefunctions was too small to give accurate eigenvalues and eigenvectors, but nevertheless the spectrum clearly corresponds to that of an asymmetric even-even nucleus. </p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Revisorer ska säkerställa att företags finansiella information är rättvisande. Dock har situationer förekommit där revisorers ställning har ifrågasatts. Till följd av detta har rotation både på individ- och byrånivå implementerats i Sverige och är sedan år 2009 regelbaserad. Syftet med denna uppsats är att beskriva och analysera hur revisorer och revisionskunder uppfattar effekterna av individ- och byrårotation på revisionens kvalitet. Studien är kvalitativ med en tematisk analys baserad på 10 intervjuer som inkluderar 4 revisorer och 6 revisionskunder. Resultatet påvisar delade åsikter om rotationens effekter. Revisorerna i undersökningen ansåg i huvudsak att rotationen inte påverkar revisionskvaliteten. Några av dessa menade att kunskapen om kunden går förlorad och att det kan ha negativa konsekvenser för kompetensen på individnivå medan några andra menade att rotationen kan ha en positiv inverkan på byråns generella kompetens. Kunderna var överlag negativt inställda till revisorsrotationen och ansåg att det påverkade kvaliteten negativt. Vad gäller oberoendet ansåg revisorerna att det redan var reglerat och lagstiftat innan rotation infördes, och att oberoendet främst är relaterat till relationen mellan revisor och kund. Kunderna hade delade åsikter om rotationens påverkan på oberoendet. Vissa ansåg att det kan hjälpa till att förhindra vänskapsrelationer medan andra ansåg att ekonomiska intressen och kundens förväntningar är viktigare faktorer. Sammantaget saknas en enhetlig uppfattning om rotationens effektivitet. Nyckelord: rotation, / Auditors are responsible for ensuring that a company's financial information is accurate. However, situations have arisen where the position of auditors has been called into question. As a result, rotation at both the individual and firm level has been implemented in Sweden since 2009 and is now rule-based. The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse how auditors and audit clients perceive the effects of individual and firm rotation on the quality of auditing. The study is qualitative with a thematic analysis based on 10 interviews, including 4 auditors and 6 audit clients. The results show mixed opinions on the effects of rotation. The auditors in the study generally believed that rotation does not affect audit quality. Some of them argued that knowledge of the client is lost and that this can have negative consequences for individual competence, while others believed that rotation can have a positive impact on the overall competence of the firm. Clients were generally negative about auditor rotation and believed that it had a negative impact on quality. Regarding independence, auditors believed that it was already regulated and legislated before rotation was introduced and that independence is primarily related to the relationship between auditor and client. Clients had mixed opinions about the impact of rotation on independence. Some believed that it could help prevent friendships while others believed that economic interests and client expectations were more important factors. Overall, there is no consistent view on the effectiveness of rotation.

Species in the genus Populus (poplars) have shown the potential to be utilized as short rotation woody crops for bioenergy production in the Southeast. A lack of knowledge on which poplar taxa perform best on marginal sites throughout the Southeast exists. Through measurement of relationships between growth metrics, water usage and physiological parameters of 2400 poplar trees, I was able to assess: 1) early rotation suitability of numerous poplar varietals to be grown as bioenergy feedstocks in northeast Mississippi, and 2) the effectiveness of early rotation physiological parameters in predicting future productivity and water usage. Overall findings from this study suggest that trees with D x M parentage may be best fit for large-scale plantation growth in the Southeast. They demonstrated low mortality and collectively grew the tallest of all taxa. Early-rotation physiology demonstrated mixed results in predicting future growth and water usage. Findings from this study will be used in future bioenergy feedstock selection.

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