Cadmium plated steel caps seal anodized aluminum fittings

Cadmium prevents fracturing of hard anodic coating under torquing to system specification requirements, prevents galvanic coupling, and eliminates need for crush washers, which, though commonly used in industry, do not correct leakage problem experienced when anodized aluminum fittings and anodized aluminum cap assemblies are joined

IIR modeling of interpositional transfer functions with a genetic algorithm aided by an adaptive filter for the purpose of altering free-field sound localization

The psychoacoustic process of sound localization is a system of complex analysis. Scientists have found evidence that both binaural and monaural cues are responsible for determining the angles of elevation and azimuth which represent a sound source. Engineers have successfully used these cues to build mathematical localization systems. Research has indicated that spectral cues play an important role in 3-d localization. Therefore, it seems conceivable to design a filtering system which can alter the localization of a sound source, either for correctional purposes or listener preference. Such filters, known as Interpositional Transfer Functions, can be formed from division in the z-domain of Head-related Transfer Functions. HRTF’s represent the free-field response of the human body to sound processed by the ears. In filtering applications, the use of IIR filters is often favored over that of FIR filters due to their preservation of resolution while minimizing the number of required coefficients. Several methods exist for creating IIR filters from their representative FIR counterparts. For complicated filters, genetic algorithms (GAs) have proven effective. The research summarized in this thesis combines the past efforts of researchers in the fields of sound localization, genetic algorithms, and adaptive filtering. It represents the initial stage in the development of a practical system for future hardware implementation which uses a genetic algorithm as a driving engine. Under ideal conditions, an IIR filter design system has been demonstrated to successfully model several IPTF pairs which alter sound localization when applied to non-minimum phase HRTF’s obtained from free-field measurement

Seeing is believing: primary generalist pre-service teachers’ observations of physical education lessons in Ireland and Switzerland.

Primary generalist pre-service teachers (PSTs) rarely have opportunity to observe teachers teaching authentic physical education lessons let alone reflect with the teachers, their lecturer or their peers following the lesson. Observation of, and reflection on, quality lessons can have a powerful influence on shaping the PSTs’ soon-to-be-teachers’ professional identities and can also help them to develop reflective and critical thinking skills. A qualitative framework utilising critical incidents, described as ‘events identified by student teachers as significant in making progress toward becoming a better teacher’ (Schempp, 1985: p.159) guided the PSTs’ observations in this study. One primary physical education initial teacher educator (PEITE) and four PSTs, from Ireland, participated in the study and data comprised of a planning discussion, 40 critical incident observations of ten lessons in two European countries and two reflective discussions. Each set of observations was followed by a group discussion to provide opportunity for reflection-on-action (Schön, 1983). Examination of the data showed that PSTs extended their understanding of professional practice in: questioning and demonstrating; inclusion; organisation and management; and feedback and were surprised that practice in both countries was more similar than different. Critical incidents were a useful method of focusing reflections for the PSTs and the opportunity to engage in the process of observing, and reflecting on, quality lessons impacted the PSTs’ perceptions towards becoming better teachers. Keywords: Critical incidents; reflection

Is Corequisite Developmental Math Effective at East Tennessee State University?

This thesis looks at the corequisite developmental math program at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and compares the effectiveness to the previous developmental math program by comparing the student outcomes in MATH 1530. MATH 1530 is a non-calculus based statistic and probability course that satisfies most majors’ general education math requirements. ETSU sees approximately 1,000 students a year pass through MATH 1530 which is around 6.7% of the total enrollment at ETSU[9]. We are interested in the last five years of the developmental math program before it was changed to corequisite developmental math and the first five years of corequisite developmental math program. Our research compares the grades of the students in these courses to evaluate if one program is more successful in students’ grade outcomes. Our findings show no change in class medians but a change in the class means in favor of the corequisite developmental math program

Effective school -wide discipline through Positive Behavior Supports: An analysis of current practice

The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation status of School-wide Positive Behavior Supports (SWPBS) in selected elementary and middle schools (N = 123) situated within three regions of Virginia. Additionally this study sought to identify and determine the relative impact of specific facilitators and barriers to successful implementation. Finally, this study identified the types of professional development opportunities related to SWPBS available to school personnel. In order to answer each overarching research question, participants were asked to complete the School-wide Positive Behavior Support Systems Implementation Survey, a validated instrument, adapted from the Delaware PBS Implementation Self Assessment. Findings indicate above average levels of implementation on 35 of 36 specific features of SWPBS. Additional findings reveal significant levels of impact related to specific facilitators and barriers on identified critical feature categories of SWPBS. Finally, with regard to professional development, results indicate that a majority of schools offer more than one type of professional development opportunity to school personnel and that most schools use new teacher orientation programs to provide in-service for SWPBS

Does Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) Improve the Neuropsychological Function in Patients With Anorexia Nervosa?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) improves the neuropsychological function in patients with anorexia nervosa. STUDY DESIGNS: Review of two randomized controlled trials and one non-randomized case series, published in 2012, 2013 and 2014. DATA SOURCES: The three studies used in this review were published in English and found in PubMed. OUTCOMES MEASURED: For all studies, neuropsychological function, such as memory, attention, and cognitive flexibility, were measured using pre- and post-treatment questionnaires. One study used a computerized task-shifting paradigm to determine cognitive flexibility. RESULTS: Brockmeyer et al. and Lock et al. compared CRT to other forms of treatment, and Abbate-Daga et al. investigated the effects of CRT pre- and post-CRT. All three studies revealed statistically significant improvements in patient’s neuropsychological function following CRT. Brockmeyer et al. measured patients’ reaction times as an indication for cognitive flexibility during computerized exercises and found that reaction times were decreased in the CRT group compared to the group receiving non-neuropsychological therapy. In the study conducted by Lock et al., patients who received 8 sessions of CRT as compared to those who received cognitive behavioral therapy, showed enhanced cognitive flexibility and central coherence. Abbate-Daga et al. demonstrated an improvement in patient decision making from baseline measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented in these three studies suggest that cognitive remediation therapy is an effective treatment approach to improving the neuropsychological function in patients with anorexia nervosa

Simulation of Stream Processes in a Model River

Office of Water Resources Research Project No. B-044-TEXCenter for Water and the Environmen