No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to compare the written responses of skilled and less skilled readers to either an original or an adapted story, and the written responses of less skilled readers to either an original or an adapted short story. Data were compared relative to three areas: (1) statistical analysis of frequency of clausal units, and categorization of clausal units according to recall, inference, and supplementation; (2) statistical analysis of selected elements of the short story, specifically, setting, characterization, plot, and theme; and (3) descriptive analysis of frequent responses within each subcategory. Ninth grade students designated as skilled and less skilled readers by scores on the California Achievement Test formed two distinct sample populations. Subjects were randomly assigned to read either an original short story or an adaptation of the same story and write all they could recall, including selected elements of the short story, namely, setting, characterization, plot, and theme. Findings indicated that in terms of frequency of clausal units and categorization of clausal units, the responses of skilled readers to the original story contained significantly more clausal units and inference statements than the responses of less skilled readers. The responses of less skilled readers to the adapted story contained significantly more clausal units and inference statements than the responses of less skilled readers to the original story. Additionally, in their responses to elements of the short story, skilled readers differed significantly from less skilled readers for both the original and the adapted story with respect to characterization, plot, and theme. The responses of less skilled readers to the adapted story contained significantly more plot statements than the responses of the less skilled readers to the original story. Results point to the use of adapted stories with less skilled readers; however, caution must be used in arriving at such a conclusion since this study did not include qualitative interpretation of responses or other response measures such as reader interest and enjoyment.

The research described in this dissertation is the first evaluation of two-dimensional charge coupled devices (CCDs) for low light level analytical spectroscopy. The electro-optical properties of several unique two-dimensional CCDs are evaluated, including quantum efficiency, detector read noise, linearity, dynamic range, dark current, and blooming. Theoretical models describing the sensitivity and dynamic range of CCDs on a single detector element basis are developed. Based on this model and the characteristics of a CCD detector system built for this research, it is shown that a single detector element of a CCD has comparable or superior sensitivity than the most sensitive single channel detectors. The results of the CCD detector system applied to fluorescence, emission, absorption, and time and spatially resolved spectroscopies are presented. The charge binning readout mode, which combines charge packets from several detector elements into a single charge packet, is critically evaluated for increasing the sensitivity and dynamic range of spectroscopic measurements. Equations describing the sensitivity and dynamic range enhancement achieved through charge binning are derived and experimentally verified in atomic emission and molecular fluorescence spectroscopies. The results of operating the CCD in two specialized readout modes developed in this research termed high-speed framing and spectral framing are presented. High speed framing allows the CCD to rapidly acquire two-dimensional images with high sensitivity. The spectral framing readout mode enables the CCD to record time-resolved spectra at a rate of approximately one spectra every two microseconds with great sensitivity. The design and evaluation of a CCD based molecular fluorescence spectrograph using a mercury pen lamp excitation source is described. The limit of detection for anthracene is 1 x 10 ⁻¹²M and is superior to the results obtained by fluorometers employing laser sources and photomultiplier detection. The design and evaluation of a spatially resolving spectrograph for absorbance spectroscopy of optically dense films is presented. The measurement of the absorption spectra of spatially heterogeneous metal-phthalocyanine thin-film electrodes with peak absorbances greater than five absorbance units is described.

Theoretical and experimental techniques are developed to study three common approaches to focus error signal generation for optical data storage applications. Specifically, the astigmatic, obstruction knife edge (a.k.a. shaded aperture), and critical angle prism systems are studied. These techniques are then applied to a new focus detection system, based on a lateral shearing interferometer, developed by this author. The sensitivity of a given optical system to the primary design point, alignment errors, aberrations and optical recording medium topology are presented. A new approach to constructing the focus error signal for the astigmatic and interferometric techniques is presented which greatly reduces the alignment sensitivity.

The purpose of the research was to develop and test a scale to index the concerns of first-time expectant parents. The two-phase research design included (1) an inductive concept generation phase, consistent with the status of knowledge in the field, and (2) a quantitative deductive instrument test of the concepts from phase 1. In the inductive phase, grounded theory analysis using interviews from a theoretical sample of ten expectant parents, provided data to generate a conceptual model. The three induced constructs were Support Cycling, Transition to First-Time Parenthood and Success at Parenting. In the quantitative deductive phase, 45 female and 36 male first-time expectant parents, volunteered from childbirth classes to test the Imle Transition to Parenthood Concerns (ITPC) scale, which indexed the second of the three major constructs generated in the inductive phase. Preliminary internal consistency and content validity assessments of the scale yielded an 87 item paper and pencil scale that would measure intensity of concern about each item. Separate testing for male and female subjects was supported by Hotelling's T² in MANOVA tests of the effects of sex and measured but uncontrolled testing situation variables. Reliability estimates of the ITPC scale, with seven subscales, indicated acceptable coefficient alphas for females and males of .95 and .93, respectively. The seven subscale coefficient alphas ranged from .79 to .92 for females and from .84 to .91 for males. Concurrent criterion-related validity estimates, using one criterion item per subscale, exceeded the criterion of at least .55, ranging from .58 to .83 for females and from .59 to .86 for males. The ITPC scale met preliminary tests of reliability and concurrent criterion-related validity. Since the subject test sample was representative of the middle class, educated type of person, who usually attends childbirth education classes, scale testing results cannot be generalized to other types of samples without testing. Psychometric testing indicated clinicians can use small sub-sets of items to index expectant parent concerns in a quick, easy-to-score, valid and reliable manner. Results could offer sound information to facilitate patient counseling.

No description available.

No description available.

This thesis describes a new test generating algorithm, depth-first algorithm. This algorithm detects the reconvergent fanout. The controllability and observability measures are included in this algorithm to guide the forward and consistency drives. The major objective of this research is to develop a test vector generatiang algorithm, which is modified from D-algorithm, and to link this algorithm with SCIRTSS programs. This depth-first algorithm is more accurate and more efficient than D-algorithm. Serveral circuits are tested under DF3 and SCR3 and the results are listed in this paper.