The Jewish lived experience in Cuba

This research utilized an interdisciplinary qualitative approach to inquiry that requires border-crossing as its methodology for discovery in order to fully understand the lived experience of the Jews of Cuba. The study included a deep read of the Jewish Diaspora with a starting point being 597 BCE, then followed thousands of years of waves and world-wide movements, eventually leading to those Jews who settled in Cuba. For access into the lives of the present-day Jews, interviews with four participants who represented a cross-section of the Cuban Hebrew community were conducted; visits to the synagogues and to the kosher butcher shop were made; and many trips to the Ashkenazi and the Sephardic cemeteries in Guanabacoa, Cuba, were also made in order to take photographs and personally visit the sites. The four respondents interviewed were English speakers, were over 20-years old, and were citizens of Cuba. They were asked identical questions via e-mail with follow-up correspondence. For other narrative resources, 19 unpublished recorded stories were transcribed and included in the study to gain further access into the lives of Cuba’s Jewish population. To complete the inquiry, one published narrative was used to show parallels between those who were interviewed, as well as to show the similarities to those voices from the unpublished group. The end research result finds that today’s Cuban Jews, whose rich historical past on the island began as early as 1492, have survived despite all odds, and thrive with their traditions and laws intact. This research covered a period of 4 years—and four separate trips to Cuba. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Predictive combustion trajectory visualization model for study of conventional and advanced direct injection compression ignition combustion modes

There are many diagnostic approaches for determine in-cylinder quantities in an internal combustion engine. Of primary importance in this work are equivalence ratio and flame temperature. These parameters can be measured using expensive and highly modified optical engines or calculated using time consuming computational fluid dynamics and chemical kinetic models. These approaches work well in a lab but become less feasible when trying to implement diagnostics for real world on-board consumer use. With the decreasing cost of in-cylinder pressure transducers, the question arises of the whether or not it is feasible to create a diagnostic model based on in-cylinder pressure data and known engine parameter based on existing engine sensors. Using this model, it may be possible to actively modulate engine parameters to change combustion behavior in order to decrease harmful emissions without penalty to efficiency. In this context, combustion behavior (or a trajectory) is meant to describe the local temperatures and equivalence ratios that exist during burning in a direct injection compression ignition engine’s combustion chamber. This work builds on earlier attempts to model combustion trajectories on the equivalence ratio – temperature plane (Φ-T plane), as calculated from cylinder pressure. This work uses a 1-D non-vaporizing spray model with assumed radial profile. The proposed model accounts for the change in cylinder pressure throughout the combustion process by using a time step based on the resolution of the cylinder pressure data. Based on the predicted equivalence ratio, local flame temperature, calculated heat release, and amount of fuel burned at each portion (control volume) of the spray, a plot of the combustion trajectory can be developed. The temperature and equivalence ratio at which the fuel burns can be tracked to give a full mass weighted history of the combustion event with respect to both the ignition conditions and post-mixing heating and cooling on the Φ-T plane. The model was tested over multiple operating conditions including conventional and late timing diesel combustion, with and without EGR, lower and higher injection pressure. The encouraging results obtained from this study suggest engine control strategies could use this simple approach to reduce harmful emissions in the future. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Phase stability and oxidation behavior of al-ni-co-cr-fe based high-entropy alloys

In recent years, multi-component, high entropy alloys (HEAs) have been proposed as potential alternatives for high temperature structural materials and coatings due to their reportedly favorable combinations of high melting point, high strength, high ductility, and high resistance to oxidation and/or corrosion. HEAs are loosely defined as alloys containing five or more principal elements, each with a concentration between 5-35 at. %. This complex chemical arrangement has been reported to facilitate the formation of solid solution phases consisting of simple FCC and/or BCC crystal structures. Although their potential applications are vast, a fundamental understanding of their high-temperature phase stabilities and oxidation mechanisms, along with effective models to predict their behaviors is deficient. To aid in this gap of knowledge, this dissertation work systematically investigates the phase equilibria and oxidation behaviors of a series of transition metal based HEAs. The phase stability and oxidation studies will encompass both as-melted and annealed HEAs. To critically assess the merit and usefulness of existing thermodynamic databases for predicting complex phase equilibria, the experimental observations will be directly compared with predictions based on the CALPHAD method using ThermoCalcTM. The modeling simulations are applied to both the phase stabilities and the relative oxidation behaviors. The active oxidation mechanisms will also be addressed relative to existing oxide formation models for predicting the oxide growth in alloys with similar elements. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

How gender role stereotypes affect attraction in an online dating scenario

Today, it is not uncommon to meet someone and begin a romantic relationship on the internet. Meeting on a dating website differs from meeting in person because a dating profile is created first that allows others to review potential romantic partners. Few studies have examined romantic attraction within an online dating context, and even fewer have examined how gender roles may influence attraction. Two studies were conducted. Study 1 (N = 447, 49.4% female) examined the effects of gender role congruence and physical attractiveness on romantic interest. Study 2 (N = 234, 100% female) examined if the effects of gender roles and physical attractiveness extended to changes in women’s self-presentation. In both studies participants viewed online dating profiles that varied in their physical attractiveness and adherence to gender role norms. Study 1 results indicated that both men and women prefer attractive and gender role incongruent dating partners over average looking and gender role congruent. For Study 2, profile gender role congruence or incongruence did not appear to have an effect on women’s self-presentation; however, there was a significant increase in self-reports of masculine traits over the sessions disregarding profile gender role congruence. This may suggest that being in a dating situation could increase women’s self-presentation of masculine traits. The results of these studies go against current major theories and demonstrate a need for these theories to be altered to accommodate for the way gender roles truly play a role in our society today. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Experience as knowledge: teacher belief and purpose as pedagogical content knowledge

The literature reviewed in this study indicates that evaluating teacher belief and purpose as factors that can develop pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) may be useful in broadening the assessment of teacher knowledge. This broadening encompasses training through daily classroom teaching. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to contribute to a larger, ongoing conversation about the possible factors that contribute to a teacher’s PCK. Using phenomenology as a theoretical lens, this study explores how experience shapes and refines the PCK of five first year Secondary Education Language Arts teachers. Employing the qualitative measure of interviewing and transcription, followed by inductive analysis by marking passages and phrases of interest, this study illuminates the insight and questions that come from examining multiple individual experiences and how experience is important in evaluating teacher knowledge. The findings of this study suggest that continual research into expanding ideas about evaluating teacher knowledge and the methods for conducting teacher evaluations needs to be ongoing. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

An investigation of the performance potential of a liquid oxygen expander cycle rocket engine

This research effort sought to examine the performance potential of a dual-expander cycle liquid oxygen-hydrogen engine with a conventional bell nozzle geometry. The analysis was performed using the NASA Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) software to develop a full steady-state model of the engine concept. Validation for the theoretical engine model was completed using the same methodology to build a steady-state model of an RL10A-3-3A single expander cycle rocket engine with corroborating data from a similar modeling project performed at the NASA Glenn Research Center. Previous research performed at NASA and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has identified the potential of dual-expander cycle technology to specifically improve the efficiency and capability of upper-stage liquid rocket engines. Dual-expander cycles also eliminate critical failure modes and design limitations present for single-expander cycle engines. This research seeks to identify potential LOX Expander Cycle (LEC) engine designs that exceed the performance of the current state of the art RL10B-2 engine flown on Centaur upper-stages. Results of this research found that the LEC engine concept achieved a 21.2% increase in engine thrust with a decrease in engine length and diameter of 52.0% and 15.8% respectively compared to the RL10B-2 engine. A 5.89% increase in vacuum specific impulse was also observed. The implications of these results could lead to significant launch cost savings and replacement of aging expander cycle technology in the rocket propulsion industry. In order to fully validate the results of this research, more knowledge is required regarding the heat transfer characteristics of supercritical oxygen for rocket thrust chamber cooling. Future work in this topic will focus on experimental LOX heat transfer research and model optimization to improve heat transfer estimations in the baseline model developed in this research and further explore the optimal performance potential and limitations of the LEC engine. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Evaluation of selected field and laboratory measures of body composition

The four-compartment (4C) model is a laboratory method that is a valid method for the assessment of body composition. Three experiments were performed to 1) determine the validity of selected bioimpedance equations with the 4C model, 2) determine the impact of predicted vs. simultaneous residual lung volume (RLV) during underwater weighing (UWW) on the 4C model, and 3) develop a new body fat prediction equation. In the first study, subjects had body fat percentage (BF%) and fat-free mass (FFM) predicted from four bioelectrical impedance equations and compared to the 4C model. Three equations produced a significant mean difference, while another was non-significant. However, all four equations had a small standard error of the estimate (SEE) and fairly narrow limits of agreement. In a second study, RLV was measured simultaneously and predicted when determining UWW and 4C model BF%. The mean differences for UWW BF% was significant when comparing predicted vs. simultaneous RLV, but non-significant when the body density values derived via UWW were incorporated in the 4C model. The error was lower when using RLV prediction equations for determining BF% via the 4C model than UWW. In a third study the variables sex, body mass index (BMI), sum of combined handgrip strength, and vigorous physical activity was utilized in a regression equation to predict 4C model BF%. The new BF% equation, previous BMI-based BF% equations and skinfolds were compared to the 4C model. The new equation and BMI-based equations had significantly different BF% values and provided large 95% limits of agreement. Similarly, skinfolds had a significant mean difference, but the SEE was 3.7%, leading to the recommendation of skinfolds over the new equation and BMI-based equations. In conclusion, BIA equations can be used in the field, but practitioners should consider the tendency of the equations to over-predict BF% and under-predict FFM. Furthermore, the prediction of RLV can be used for the UWW procedure when determining 4C model BF%, but should not be used for UWW BF% alone. Lastly, the new BF% equation and BMI-based equations did not compare favorably with 4C model and the use of skinfolds is recommended. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Developing deception detection skills: an investigation of theory of mind and emotion knowledge as precursors

Examining developmental factors that impact young children’s success in both social and cognitive domains has important implications for advancing our current knowledge concerning social cognitive development. Both emotion knowledge and perspective-taking skills impact how young children develop unique views the world; specifically, these skills are often relied upon for detecting deception in others. The purpose of the study was to examine predictors of children’s deception detection skills to shed light on the development of social cognition. Specifically, preschoolers’ emotion knowledge was examined as a potential moderator of the relation between Theory of Mind (ToM) and deception detection. Results indicated both children’s emotion knowledge and ToM develop over the preschool years and are positively related to the development of deception detection. However, emotion knowledge does not moderate the relation between ToM and deception detection. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

Critical race theory in elementary social studies: exploring racial identity and stereotype threat for black males

Despite the vast research by various education specialists regarding the state of emergency as it relates to the Black male student and his success, little is known about the effects the social studies can have on their lives. Much of what is published about Black male students’ academic and personal lives, portrays these young men as defiant, unengaged, undereducated, and socially bankrupt. This study attempted to provide a voice for these young men through a transformative mixed method approach. The students and their social studies teachers completed a survey that examined their attitudes and beliefs of the social studies and how it could be used to instill a positive self-identity within this group of students. The students also took the Multidimensional Inventory Survey, developed upon a phenomenological view of the correlations between a person’s self-identity and his or membership within a particular race (Rowley, Sellers, Chavous, & Smith, 1998), to gain sight into how they believed they identified as males within the Black race. The students and teachers were then interviewed to triangulate the quantitative findings. The analysis of the data yielded the following: 1) Black boys enjoyed the social studies particularly when presented in a culturally relevant format, 2) Black boys possessed high levels of Black identity and closely aligned with teachers who viewed them as individuals and identified with the issues they encountered, 3) Teachers of these Black boys held them to high standards and did not compromise these expectations, 4) Teachers insinuated a culturally relevant social studies curriculum yielded increases in their Black male students’ self-identities, 5) Black boys wanted a space to feel valued, and the social studies classes in which they were enrolled, provided this positive valuation of them, which improved their own self-identities. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries

The effects of individual and school mindfulness on the academic optimism in schools in north Alabama

This research examined the relationship between mindfulness and academic optimism in schools in North Alabama. Academic optimism is a construct made of up the tenets of collective efficacy, faculty trust, and academic emphasis. Mindfulness, individual and organizational, joins academic optimism to create meaningful leadership strategies that can be used develop more effective school. It was hypothesized in the study that the greater degree of a school’s individual and organizational mindfulness, the greater the degree of academic optimism. Additionally, it was hypothesized that the variable of socio-economic status (SES) of the school would have a significant impact on mindfulness and academic optimism of the school. This study examined three school systems located in Northern Alabama with a total of 577 elementary, middle, and high school teachers in 39 schools. Two survey instruments and the SES of each school were used to address these inquiries. Mindfulness was measured using the School Mindfulness Scale (Hoy & Gage, 2003) and academic optimism was measured using the School Academic Optimism Survey (Hoy, 2005). As predicted, the hypotheses addressing mindfulness and academic optimism were supported by the outcomes from this study which demonstrated that the greater the degree of a school’s (organizational) mindfulness, the greater the degree of the school’s academic optimism. Significantly, results for socio-economic status (SES) showed that influence of socio-economic status was minimal. The study confirmed much of the literature in regard to the relationships of organizational mindfulness, which is, but not limited to practicing an open, creative, multi-perspective state of being, academic optimism, and SES. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries