A Little Bit of Him is Better Than Nothing

I personally struggled for over 30 years with a manipulative and hurtful relationship. I was on the brink of giving up on life when my close friend brought me to Collin College, hopefull that it would help generate a new outlook on life. Sure enough, it did. From that point onward, the faculty, staff, and counselors worked with me to improve my confidence and enable me to feel empowered. Through all these resources I now feel supported, independent, and strong again. Finally, I woke up and stopped allowing this abuse to continue. Watch out world this new, improved Marilyn Abedrabbo is a force to be reckoned with

Emissivity measurements and modeling of silicon related materials and structures

The objective of this dissertation is to investigate the major issues concerning applications of pyrometry for applications in rapid thermal processing (RTP) of silicon related materials. The research highlights of this work are: Establishment of spectral ernissometry as a novel, reliable and reproducible technique for: Determination of wavelength and temperature dependent reflectivity, transmissivity, emissivity and temperature, simultaneously, of silicon related materials and structures. The emissometer operates in the wavelength range of 1-20mm and temperature range of 300-1200K. The analysis of the influence of morphological effects on the radiative properties by measurement of (a) front-smooth incidence versus backside-rough incidence of singleside polished silicon wafers and (b) single versus double-side polished wafers. This is the first time in the literature that such a study is devoted to detect differences in the optical properties of the same sample. Attempts have been made to verify the VandenabeeleMaex one-parameter model against the experimentally obtained optical properties for rough surfaces. The model has been proven to be inaccurate and inadequate for simulating the measured properties. Establishment of methodologies and schemes for deconvolution of the measured optical properties to yield the fundamental constants such as absorption coefficient a. Effects of wavelength, temperature, the total available free carriers both by doping and thermal generation and doping types have been considered in the deconvolution process. Comparisons have been sought with the available knowledge of cc in the literature by the extensive use of the Multi-Rad model. This is a state of the art model that has been developed by MIT/SEMATECH. The first detailed investigation of the radiative properties of SIM0X has been performed. The first detailed experimental measurements of the radiative properties Of Si3N4 have been performed. The real part of the dielectric constant or refractive index has been deconvoluted from the measured properties in the near-rnid IR. A thorough testing of the models and simulation tools available to the industry has been made. The models have been utilized extensively in investigating the optical properties, and the effects of surface morphology. The models utilized in performing the simulations of the optical properties of ideally double-side polishes wafers agree in their basic mathematical approaches, i.e. the Abele\u27s matrix theory and differ in the degree of complexity and number of parameters involved. The models utilized to achieve the surface effects task fall under two categories: simple approach that utilizes an extension of the equations that treat the parallel plane properties by relating the roughness effect linearly with the ideally polished plane surfaces, and the other proposed by NREL that utilizes a complex solid-state approach for the optical parameters and a statistical (e.g. MonteCarlo) technique that tends to average the behavior of a photon incident on the textured surface over all the possible angles and wavelengths. Various approaches using wafer emissivity independent tools for non-contact temperature measurements are discussed with emphasis on the advantages and limitations of the technique

Exploring the connected town centre shopping experience and its implications on patronage intentions

Research on Customer Experience, more specifically the Shopping Experience, received substantial attention from academics and practitioners due to its conceptualised implications on retail performance. Nowadays, customers seek to be entertained, stimulated and seamlessly connected to the digital domain to enhance their convenience and reduce the transactional costs of shopping (Verhoef, Kannan and Inman, 2015). Studies researched this construct in the contexts of stores, brands and shopping malls, yet, very few studies examine this construct in the town centre context. This is surprising as town centre patronage has been declining for the past decade due to the reported growth in online shopping, reduced high street retail offer and a sub-standard shopping experience (Wrigley et al., 2015; Portas, 2011). Taking this perspective, this thesis explored the Town Centre Shopping Experience as a specific context, and importantly, the role of digital integration in developing a Connected Town Centre Shopping Experience. In doing so, this research provided a precise measure of this construct and its implications on town centre patronage.Using a Multiphase mixed methods design, a model of this construct has been developed based on real customers’ interactions with the town centre. Notably, the effect of digital interaction on customers’ perceptions of the Town Centre Shopping Experience construct was explored for the first time. Analysis of the results suggest that customers develop their shopping experience through interacting with eight physical touchpoints. The developed experience has significant relationship with customers’ future patronage intentions. Meanwhile, a Connected Town Centre Shopping is developed through customers interaction with two forms of digital integration in the town centre. Such interactions have a moderating role on customers’ perception of the constructs in the model. The findings of this research address theoretical limitations in the literature by answering the call for research on the determinants and implications of Shopping Experience and the role of digital integration in influencing this experience (Stocchi, Hart and Haji, 2016; Wrigley et al., 2015; Portas, 2011). In so doing, the research provides a more concise measure of the Connected Town Centre Shopping Experience, which will allow academics and practitioners to attain deeper understanding of the existing patronage issues in town centre.</div

Factores de riesgo para depresión y ansiedad de internos privados de su libertad del centro de rehabilitación social Guaranda

BACKGROUND: Although Ecuador has a population of 24.722 prison inmates, representing an occupancy rate of 114% 1, the prevalence of depression and anxiety in this population and their risk factors has not been well studied locally. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data to assess the relationship of risk factors (being Catholic, married, paternity situation, cause of admission, existence of sentencing, and confinement time) for depression and anxiety in the population deprived of their liberty. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire Goldberg. Data collected from January to July 2011 through a survey, determining measures of association through the calculation of ORs and their respective confidence intervals and statistical Chi2 test for the variables involved were analyzed. Only those who signed informed consent were included. RESULTS: 99 patients (96 men, 3 women) where included, of which 85.8% scored at, or above 3 points on the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire which is a validated screening tool for depression and anxiety, 84.8% reported to be Catholics, 77.7% of men and 3.03% of women reported being parents, 70.7% reported having a sentence, 43.4% reported murder as the cause of incarceration, and 40.4% reported being imprisoned for more than six months. Being a father, being married, having a sentence > 10 years, and homicide as a cause for incarceration were not associated with an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety. The time of imprisonment OR 4.4 (95% CI 0.922-21.539; p value = 0.046), and being Catholic OR 46.6 (95% CI 4.8 - 444.73; p value = 0.0008) were related to an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: There is a direct relationship between time in prison and being Catholic with increased risk of developing depression and anxiety in the population deprived of their liberty.ANTECEDENTES: A pesar de que Ecuador cuenta con una población carcelaria de 24.722 reclusos, lo cual representa una ocupación del 114%1, la prevalencia de depresión y ansiedad en esta población y sus respectivos factores de riesgo se ha estudiado poco localmente. MÉTODOS: Realizamos un análisis de datos retrospectivo para evaluar la relación de factores de riesgo (ser católico, estar casado, situación de paternidad, causa de ingreso, presencia de sentencia, tiempo de reclusión) para depresión y ansiedad en la población privada de su libertad. La depresión y ansiedad se evaluaron mediante el Cuestionario de Salud General de Goldberg. Se analizaron datos recolectados de Enero a Julio del 2011 mediante una encuesta, determinando medidas de asociación a través del cálculo de ORs, con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza, y de la prueba estadística Chi2 para las variables involucradas. Solamente aquellos que firmaron consentimiento informado fueron incluidos. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 99 pacientes (96 hombres, 3 mujeres), de los cuales el 85.8% obtuvo una puntuación igual o mayor a 3 puntos en el Cuestionario de Salud General de Goldberg lo cual es un indicador validado de depresión y ansiedad, 84.8% reportaron ser católicos, 77.7% hombres y 3.03% mujeres reportaron ser padres de familia, 70.7% reportaron tener sentencia, 43.4% refirieron haber ingresado por homicidio y 40.4% llevar más de 6 meses en reclusión. El hecho de ser padre, estar casado, tener una sentencia > 10 años y tener como causa de ingreso homicidio no se relacionó con un aumento en el riesgo de desarrollar depresión y ansiedad. El tiempo de reclusión OR 4.4 (IC 95% 0.922 - 21.539; valor p=0.046) y ser católico OR 46.6 (IC 95% 4.8 - 444.73; valor p=0.0008) se relacionó directamente con un mayor riesgo de desarrollar depresión y ansiedad. CONCLUSIONES: Existe una relacion directa entre el tiempo de reclusión y ser católico con el aumento en el riesgo de desarrollar depresión y ansiedad en la población privada de su libertad

Project-based learning to develop the speaking skill in EFL students of intermediate level at Technical Air Force School during the school year 2020-2021.

The research project focused on “PROJECT-BASED LEARNING TO DEVELOP THE SPEAKING SKILL IN EFL STUDENTS OF INTERMEDIATE LEVEL AT TECHNICAL AIR FORCE SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 2020-2021” represents an innovative methodology to develop students’ superior utterances. The main objective was to determine the effectiveness of Project-based learning (PBL) for improving speaking skills. This research is focused on a qualitative approach for measuring the theoretical results as well as a quantitative approach to facilitate the analysis and interpretation of the results through numbers, percentages, and figures. The type of research applied was quasi-experimental, since, during the exploration, it was possible to work with two groups, a control group and an experimental group of 25 students in each one. A pre-test and a post-test were carried out where the experimental group got better results in comparison with the control group. The only difference was that the experimental group was instructed with Project-based learning methodology while the control group was instructed with the traditional methodology. Consequently, the data collection allowed to demonstrate and support the hypothesis about how effective is project-based learning to develop the speaking skill.El Proyecto de investigación enfocado en “APRENDIZAJE BASADO EN PROYECTOS PARA DESARROLLAR LA HABILIDAD DE HABRAR EN LOS ESTUDIANTES DE EFL DEL NIVEL INTERMEDIO DE LA ESCUELA DE LA FUERZA AÉREA DURANTE EL PERIODO ESCOLAR 2020-2021”, representa una metodología innovativa para desarrollar expresiones comunicativas superiores en los estudiantes. El objetivo principal fue determinar la eficacia del aprendizaje basado en proyectos (ABP) para mejorar la destreza oral. Esta investigación se centró en un enfoque cualitativo para dimensionar los resultados teóricos, así como también en un enfoque cuantitativo para facilitar el análisis e interpretación de los resultados a través de números, porcentajes y figuras. El tipo de investigación aplicado fue cuasiexperimental, dado que durante la exploración fue posible trabajar con dos grupos, un grupo de control y un grupo experimental con 25 estudiantes cada uno. Un pre-test y un post-test fue realizado, en el cual el grupo experimental obtuvo mejores resultados en comparación con el grupo de control. La Única diferencia fue que el grupo experimental fue capacitado en base a la metodología del aprendizaje basado en proyectos mientras que el grupo de control fue capacitado siguiendo la metodología tradicional. Consecuentemente, la recolección de datos permitió demostrar y sustentar la hipótesis acerca de la efectividad del aprendizaje basado en proyectos para desarrollar la habilidad comunicativa oral en los estudiantes

Implementation of a guide for teachers with band descriptors to assess the english productive and receptive skills to improve the evaluation processes in the students of the fourth courses at ¨Primero de Abril¨ high school during the period 2010-2011.

During the last 10 years Latin America has suffered the English language influence and it has taken power in the educative institutions, whose evaluative process has not had enough pedagogical tools to asses students. As a result many changes inside the evaluative process have occurred, which have produced some problems in the pupils and these are; a lower index of improvement, bad behavior, the disgust for the English language and others. These aspects have caused a considerable instability inside some educative institutions