Technology Integration in a Science and Mathematics Methods Course: Addressing Virginia\u27s Computer/Technology Standards of Learning

The Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools [1] require a high level of knowledge in the use of computers and technology on the part of both students and educators. The Education Department at Mary Washington College has decided to prepare its students to meet this challenge by adopting a strategy of program wide integration of technology, bringing appropriate uses of technology into each education course. This strategy calls for the use of technology by both students and instructors. The course Instructional Skills in the Elementary Classroom, a science and mathematics planning course, served as a proving ground for this approach. The integration of technology in this course includes the use of presentation software, spreadsheets, mathematics and science content software, the evaluation of World Wide Web-based resource materials, and a course web page. Halfway through the third semester of this integration experiment, We believe the integration approach to be a proven success. The students enrolled in the course have become enthusiastic users of technology, carrying the skills into other courses and student teaching, and they view the acquisition of these skills as an integral and important aspect of their preparation for teaching careers

A statistical loads study of S-IC control engine-out conditions on the Apollo Saturn 5 vehicle

Monte Carlo method for S-IC control engine-out condition study on Saturn 5 launch vehicl

On Unification Modulo One-Sided Distributivity: Algorithms, Variants and Asymmetry

An algorithm for unification modulo one-sided distributivity is an early result by Tid\'en and Arnborg. More recently this theory has been of interest in cryptographic protocol analysis due to the fact that many cryptographic operators satisfy this property. Unfortunately the algorithm presented in the paper, although correct, has recently been shown not to be polynomial time bounded as claimed. In addition, for some instances, there exist most general unifiers that are exponentially large with respect to the input size. In this paper we first present a new polynomial time algorithm that solves the decision problem for a non-trivial subcase, based on a typed theory, of unification modulo one-sided distributivity. Next we present a new polynomial algorithm that solves the decision problem for unification modulo one-sided distributivity. A construction, employing string compression, is used to achieve the polynomial bound. Lastly, we examine the one-sided distributivity problem in the new asymmetric unification paradigm. We give the first asymmetric unification algorithm for one-sided distributivity

Examining spatial and trophic ecology of Bahamian stingrays, Styracura schmardae and Hypanus americanus, using stable isotope analysis

In this thesis I use stable isotope analysis to investigate the spatial and dietary ecology of two species of tropical stingray, the southern stingray (Hypanus americanus) and the Caribbean whiptail ray (Styracura schmardae) from Eleuthera island, The Bahamas. In Chapter 1, I directly compare stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur between the two species (S. schmardae, n = 96 ; H. americanus, n = 102) to investigate if and how these sympatric stingrays exhibit resource partitioning. I show that mangrove creek systems may be important habitat for S. schmardae, mitigating competition with H. americanus, and that trophic resource partitioning may also be occurring, with H. americanus feeding at a higher trophic level than S. schmardae. In Chapter 2, I explore the use of stable isotope analysis in detecting ontogenetic shifts in H. americanus (n = 110) and S. schmardae (n = 94). Here, I use breakpoint analysis to pinpoint shifts in mean δ15N and δ13C as body size increases, on three metabolically distinct tissues, which therefore give insights into different time periods: whole blood, white muscle and cartilage (barb). There were four breakpoints in white muscle samples, two in blood and in cartilage only one. We recommend that future research determining ontogenetic shifts via stable isotopes utilise this range of tissues. Breakpoints in δ13C were observed in both species, indicating ontogenetic habitat shifts occurring at juvenile sizes. A second shift was detected at larger body sizes in both δ15N and δ13C for S. schmardae, we suggest this second ontogenetic niche shift indicates a return to mangroves and concurrent increase in higher trophic level prey by adults. The findings presented in this thesis are novel for both species, emphasising the significance of mangroves habitats as well as providing the first ever assessment of resource use by the poorly studied Caribbean whiptail ray. Findings could be used to build conservation frameworks to protect southern stingrays, Caribbean whiptail rays, and the mangroves that appear to be intrinsic to their ecology

Geographic Allozyme Variation in Kentucky Populations of the Desmognathus Fuscus Complex (Plethodontidae)

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Russell M. Meadows on May 8, 1989

Receipt of Health Information, Body Mass Index, And Physical Activity And Dietary Behaviors Among University Students

This study examined relationships between receipt of health information, body mass index (BMI), and dietary and physical activity behaviors in a sample of university students (n=1,799). A cross-sectional design assessed health-risk behaviors. Students were placed into dichotomous categories related to receipt of health information, then grouped by risk and non-risk for each dependent behavioral variable; descriptive statistics were then generated. Odds ratios assessed relationships between receipt of health information and activity, diet, and nutrition for normal-weight and overweight students; odds ratios also assessed associations between BMI and diet and activity behaviors. Post-hoc analyses were also conducted. Students who received health information were more likely to: attempt weight-loss; diet; exercise at recommended levels; and eat well. Normal-weight students behaved more optimally than overweight students after receiving health information. Health messages may provide limited benefits regarding health-promoting behaviors; information should be but one component of a comprehensive strategy to target high-risk students