Steps Toward Precision Measurements on Molecular Ions

This thesis is a review of the work performed to assist future studies in the Ion Trapping Lab. This includes the results of calculations using ab initio quantum chemistry techniques on the CaH+ molecular ion. Ground state potential energy surfaces of the CaH+ molecular ion for geometries 0.5Å≤ R ≤ 10.45Å in steps of 0.05Å were calculated using correlation consistent basis sets at the CCSD and CCSD(T) level of theory. The dependence of SCF, CCSD correlation, and CCSD(T) correlation energies on basis set size was analyzed in detail near the well and near the asymptote. The extrapolated correlation energy for an infinite basis set was calculated for each geometry at the CCSD(T) level of theory. E˙ects due to correlation of core electrons were explored at the CCSD and CCSD(T) level of theory. Ground state potential energy surfaces with polarization functions added to the core orbitals of the calcium atom were also calculated at the CCSD and CCSD(T) level of theory. Additionally, a UHV compatible oven to vaporize neutral calcium and a PZT driver circuit were designed and constructed. This instrumentation will facilitate precision measurements on ions and molecular ions

Comparing State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies with High Verses Low Rates of Competitive Employment for Blind Consumers: Defining Quality Employment and Describing Effective Service Patterns

State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies were rank ordered by their rate of competitive employment for consumers who are legally blind. Based on each state\u27s competitive closure rate (CCR), the top six- and bottom six-ranked agencies were identified and formed two groups of high- and low-performing states. Top- versus bottom-ranked agencies were compared by quality of jobs obtained, services offered, consumer characteristics, and geographic/economic differences. The quality of jobs obtained was assessed via three indices: average wage, medical insurance, and selfsupport. Six services were hypothesized to explain differences between high- and lowranked states: cost of case services, adjustment training, college education, business/vocational training, job placement services, and assistive technology. Three consumer characteristics, consumer’s age, education at application, and gender, were compared. Finally, three geographic/economic variables, population density, average poverty rate, and unemployment rate of each state, also were compared. Analysis of variance and effect size statistics were used to assess differences between top- and bottom-ranked agencies. Five salient findings were (a) significant variability exists across VR agencies in CCR for legally blind consumers; (b) VR services did not explain the differences in CCR; (c) high- versus low-ranked agencies neither differed in the characteristics of consumers served nor in the geographic/economic factors within the state; (d) agencies ranked high on CCR had a significantly higher proportion of consumers who were already employed at application, and (e) higher ranked agencies nevertheless had a significantly higher employment closure rate for consumers who were hired during the VR process. Conclusions, implications and suggestions for future research were discussed, also

Graduating Black Males: A Generic Qualitative Study

Black males face a difficult educational battle. Across America, graduation statistics for Black males are sobering. The purpose of this study was to explore why Black males drop out of school and to examine the current employment status of the study participants. The research took place in rural North Carolina. Fifteen Black American male high school dropouts took part in a snowball sample. This study was qualitative and used open and axial coding. Findings from this study may provide guidance and directions for school and community leaders to help Black males stay in school through graduating

Understanding African American Males’ Schooling Experiences: A Qualitative Inquiry

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how African American males feel about their schooling experiences. Eighteen participants were selected for this inquiry. This study took place in eastern North Carolina. Many African American males lack early learning experiences to adequately prepare for a positive schooling experience. The findings from this study might prove helpful for working with African American males in an educational setting

Overcoming migration during giant planet formation

In the core accretion model, gas giant formation is a race between growth and migration; for a core to become a jovian planet, it must accrete its envelope before it spirals into the host star. We use a multizone numerical model to extend our previous investigation of the "window of opportunity" for gas giant formation within a disk. When the collision cross-section enhancement due to core atmospheres is taken into account, we find that a broad range of protoplanetary disks posses such a window.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figs, accepted to ApJ

Virtual Assisted Self Interviewing (VASI): An Expansion of Survey Data Collection Methods to the Virtual Worlds by Means of VDCI

Changes in communication technology have allowed for the expansion of data collection modes in survey research. The proliferation of the computer has allowed the creation of web and computer assisted auto-interview data collection modes. Virtual worlds are a new application of computer technology that once again expands the data collection modes by VASI (Virtual Assisted Self Interviewing). The Virtual Data Collection Interface (VDCI) developed at Indiana University in collaboration with the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) allows survey researchers access to the population of virtual worlds in fully immersive Heads-up Display (HUD)-based survey instruments. This expansion needs careful consideration for its applicability to the researcher’s question but offers a high level of data integrity and expanded survey availability and automation. Current open questions of the VASI method are an optimal sampling frame and sampling procedures within e. g. a virtual world like Second Life (SL). Further multimodal studies are proposed to aid in evaluating the VDCI and placing it in context of other data collection modes.Interviewing Mode, PAPI, CAPI, CASI, VASI, VDCI, Second Life

A Narrative Inquiry: A Black Male Looking to Teach

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to understand how a Black male experienced the interview process while seeking a teaching position. The participant and I attempted to answer how race and/or gender played a role in his interviewing experiences. The researcher used a qualitative approach to interview this individual. Data analysis revealed major findings contributing to this Black male’s interviewing experiences: Racism played into the hiring process in subtle ways, and just because this candidate was prepared to teach, that preparation did not guarantee his employment. The findings from this narrative account might prove helpful in understanding why there is currently a shortage of Black male teachers

Virtual Assisted Self Interviewing (VASI): An Expansion of Survey Data Collection Methods to the Virtual Worlds by Means of VDCI

Changes in communication technology have allowed for the expansion of data collection modes in survey research. The proliferation of the computer has allowed the creation of web and computer assisted auto-interview data collection modes. Virtual worlds are a new application of computer technology that once again expands the data collection modes by VASI (Virtual Assisted Self Interviewing). The Virtual Data Collection Interface (VDCI) developed at Indiana University in collaboration with the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) allows survey researchers access to the population of virtual worlds in fully immersive Heads-up Display (HUD)-based survey instruments. This expansion needs careful consideration for its applicability to the researcher's question but offers a high level of data integrity and expanded survey availability and automation. Current open questions of the VASI method are an optimal sampling frame and sampling procedures within e. g. a virtual world like Second Life (SL). Further multi-modal studies are proposed to aid in evaluating the VDCI and placing it in context of other data collection modes.Interviewing mode, PAPI, CAPI, CASI, VASI, VDCI, second life

Monitoring Gulf Coast Fish Quality

Globalization and the rise of fish importation has led to an increase in mislabeling. To combat this problem, analytical and molecular methods have been employed. First, nitrofuran metabolites were extracted, hydrolyzed, and derivatized in channel catfish, swai, and tilapia. Utilizing high performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, derivatized metabolites were detected at levels of 1 ng/mL with coefficients of determination greater than 0.998. Recoveries greater than 90% and relative standard deviation less than 17% indicate that the method is successful. Secondly, chip based electrophoresis coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the species differentiation. By analyzing restriction digestion products, fragmentation patterns from fin-clip and muscle could consistently differentiate different species requiring two or fewer endonucleases for positive identification. This method of screening reduces the expertise, time, and expense required to reduce fish mislabeling. In tandem, these methodologies could significantly reduce the dangers of fish mislabeling