Structure and superconductivity of LiFeAs

The lithium ions in Lithium iron arsenide phases with compositions close to LiFeAs have been located using powder neutron diffraction. These phases exhibit superconductivity at temperatures at least as high as 16 K demonstrating that superconductivity in compounds with [FeAs]- anti-PbO-type anionic layers occurs in compounds with at least three different structure types and occurs for a wide range of As-Fe-As bond angles.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, 3 table

The effects of extrinsic reward on intrinsic motivation : eating behavior

The purpose of the present study was threefold: (1) an examination of the effects of the external rewards of money and verbal reinforcement on the intrinsic motivation to eat; (2) a comparison of these effects between normal weight Individuals and individuals who were between 15%-50% overweight; and (3) an examination of the relationships among intrinsic motivation to eat, the dimension of internal versus external locus of control orientation, and body size. A total of 60 female undergraduates were equally divided into two experimental groups and one control group. Half the subjects in each of the three groups, or 10 subjects per group, were of normal weight and the other half were between 15%-50% overweight. One experimental group was the monetary reward group; the second experimental group was the verbal reinforcement and positive feedback group

PRICING STRATEGIES FOR ONLINE MULTIPLAYER GAMES

This dissertation examines the different pricing strategies available to online multiplayer game publishers. We develop mathematical models of the pricing decision that the publisher engages in and conduct a numerical experiment to identify critical parameters for the pricing decision. We also develop an agent based simulation to further examine the influence of these parameters on the dynamics between the publisher and consumers and make recommendations about the conditions under which certain pricing strategies are superior to others

A study of the career maturity of gifted students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the career maturity of gifted ninth grade students. The following research questions were addressed: 1. What is the level of career maturity of gifted students? 2. Is there a main effect for groups (gifted, college-bound, vocational)? If so, which differences between means contributed to the results? 3. Is there a main effect for treatment (Vocational Exploration Group, Control Group)? 4. Is there an interaction between group (gifted, college-bound, vocational) and treatment (Vocational Exploration Group, Control)

I am because we are: exploring the relationships between mentorship, involvement in LGBTQ student organizations, resiliency, and leadership efficacy of queer students of color

Although undergraduates are enrolling in our colleges and universities during a historical moment in which the lives of LGBTQ communities have never been as visible, LGBTQ harassment, violence and oppression is still pervasive within institutions of higher education in the United States. Still, LGBTQ student leaders persist towards graduation. Moving away from research that is grounded within a deficit model, this study examines the relationship between community-based practices (social support) found on college campuses that foster resiliency and the cultivation of leadership efficacy of LGBTQ undergraduates; namely in the form of LGBTQ student organizations and mentor relationships. Using data from the 2012 Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (Dugan & Associates, 2012) this quantitative study works to address the gap in research exploring the leadership experiences of LGBTQ undergraduates, that has largely failed to incorporate the complexities of negotiating leadership at the intersections of race, sexuality and gender identity by centering the unique experiences of queer and transgender students of color. The results of the study indicate that overall, LGBTQ students demonstrated high levels of resiliency and moderately high levels of leadership efficacy but LGBTQ Students of Color had disparate experiences from their White peers in regards to mentorship and involvement in LGBTQ student organizations. Additional within group differences were found, with transgender students reporting lower levels of resiliency than their non-transgender peers. The findings of this study further problematize literature that inaccurately conflates the experiences of LGBTQ students, and by doing so, defaults to dominant identities, practices and epistemologies (i.e. heteronormativity, homonormativity, cisgenderism, Whiteness). Operating within a queer, intersectional, social justice lens, this study offers student affairs professionals insights about how to engage with queer and transgender students of color in more culturally responsive and affirming ways

The relationship between maternal knowledge of developmental norms, mother-child interactions and children's social competence

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between mothers' knowledge of developmental norms, various aspects of the mother-child interaction and children's social competence. Seventy mother-child pairs participated in this study. Children's social competence was assessed both behaviorally and cognitively and mothers' knowledge of developmental norms was also evaluated. Mother-child pairs were observed and video-recorded during two conditions: a spontaneous three-minute waiting period and a semi-structured, seven-minute period in which mothers were asked to prepare their children to meet and play with a less socially skilled child

Navigating the social/cultural politics of school choice : why do parents choose montessori? a case study

a "The underlying motives of school choice emerged as major courses of action to offer parents opportunities for education in the free market enterprise and to limit the racial desegregation of public schools. This policy became known as "freedom of choice." Historically, parental choice of schools was the option of parents who could afford the tuition of private or parochial schools. The first options for public school choice appeared during the 1960's. Today, magnet schools are the most popular form of school choice. Montessori schools have become a well-liked preference of magnet school options. Fifteen years ago, there were approximately 50 public Montessori schools in the United States. Today, there are between 250 and 300 public Montessori schools. While research has been accumulating on why parents choose a particular type of school (parochial, private, magnet, charter, or local public school) far less is known about why parents choose a particular curriculum. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore how parents navigate school choice decisions and why they choose Montessori schools over other available options. This dissertation further examines if parents' educational choices correspond to their reasons for selecting Montessori schooling and the impact family income and ethnicity have on their preference for Montessori. The methodology of this study utilized a mixed methods research medium. The mixed methods approach blended two different research strategies, qualitative and quantitative. Recognizing the overlap between qualitative and quantitative research methods, the data from self-report surveys were supplemented with semi-structured interviews. Three hundred surveys were distributed to the parents of the Montessori school and interviews were held with ten parents of the same school. Of the original 300 surveys, 132 were returned and comprised my final sample. The quantitative findings indicate that parents who choose the Montessori school use a range of strategies to gain relevant information and are astute in choosing a school that is congruent with their particular values and aspirations. The qualitative findings illustrate why the Montessori curriculum has become so popular. Responses are remarkably similar across income and ethnicity."--Abstract from author supplied metadata

A visual design for Moliere's The doctor in spite of himself

It was the purpose of this study to provide designs for settings, costumes and lighting for a production of The Doctor in Spite of Himself. by Moliere, to be performed at the Parkway Playhouse, Burnsville, North Carolina, July 12 through July 15, 1972. Research for these designs included performance conditions, architecture and fashions of Moliere’s time, the latter half of the 17th Century. A further study was made of the traveling troupes of the Italian Commedia Dell'Arte, since it was director F. Lee Alpaugh's intention to stage the Moliére play as though performed by one of these impecunious traveling companies. It was from the scenarios of this improvisational theatre that Moliere borrowed many of his plots and characterizations. The designs were executed in Burnsville for the production and the results were subsequently analyzed by the Problems in Design class, and this writer was questioned by the examining committee on the day following the final performance of the play. Chapter Two of this thesis includes the drawings and other paperwork necessary to mount the production. Chapter Three evaluates the designs as executed, which were found to be generally successful. Several possible superior alternatives to the choices actually made are also proposed in this final chapter

A Future with Fusion

The world's energy resources are facing depletion. The resources which are presently used in energy production are nonrenewable and therefore, are increasing in price as they become more scarce. As a result of the increasing expense, these materials are becoming economically less attractive. This necessitates a change in technology which will enable energy production from alternative resources. Nuclear fusion is currently undergoing research as a possible solution to the world's growing demand for electricity. In order to determine if fusion power is feasible, the economic efficiency as well as the technical efficiency must be compared with that of conventional resources. This comparison will involve such factors as spillover costs, construction and fuel costs, thermal efficiencies and availability

iDisconnect: smartphones, social media and mobile mediation

This thesis examines the evolution of mobile phones, social media and their impacts on self and society. Key elements include how the use of mobile phones blurs fundamental aspects of social organization such as the distinction between public and private life, understandings of time and space and social norms of behavior in face to face interaction. Additionally, social media further blurs these fundamental aspects of social organization of daily life, and offers sites for self-expression to a mass audience. The primary data source was focused interviews with 11 smartphone owners and social media users, whether past or present. The study's key findings provide a nuanced understanding of people's relationships with smartphones, each other and their perceptions of mobile mediated interactions