Visualizing Chaos

Chaos is typically visualized on an infinite 2D plane. By using stereographic projection, my colleague Preston Hardy and I utilized a third dimension to plot basin maps of iterative root finding methods on a subset of the complex plane onto a sphere. These spheres are then shaded in accordance to the speed in which the particular initial point converges, creating images that can be used to visualize all basins of attraction on the complex plane on a finite 3D surface. The resulting images are used to explore efficiency of root finding methods as well as evaluating the choice of addition or subtraction n the denominator of the Hansen-Patrick root finding method. There are many theories suggesting the sign choice for positive alpha values; however, in the case of a negative alpha value, these theories do not hold. Using programs based off of those developed by Andrew Nicklawsky and Dr. Robert Hesse, we developed rules to dictate this choice between addition and subtraction in order to maximize the speed of convergence for negative and imaginary alpha values

Effect of Transcendental Meditation on the Social Emotional Well-being of Bilingual Teacher Leaders

Teaching is one of the most stressful professions in the human service industry (Curry & O’Brien, 2012; Fisher, 2011; Herman et al., 2018; Martin, et al., 2012; Montgomery & Rupp, 2005; Schonert-Reichl, 2017). Stress and burnout have been shown to contribute to the attrition of teachers (Darling-Hammond, 2001; Fisher, 2011; Johnson et al., 2005; Klingbeil & Renshaw, 2018; Winchester, 2020). While there are shortages across many disciplines, the bilingual teacher shortage has been documented as the most severe (Swanson & Mason, 2017). This study utilized Community Cultural Wealth as a theoretical framework to investigate how bilingual teacher leaders experience stress and burnout and explore Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a resource to help teachers gain greater access to the cultural strengths they use to cope with stress and burnout. This study utilized a mixed methods, randomized controlled design and took place from January through May of 2021. Sixty-two bilingual teacher leaders from throughout California were randomly assigned to the Transcendental Meditation group (n = 31) or the wait-list control group (n = 31). Six major themes emerged from the data in this study. First, the findings revealed that family values, aspirational dreams, and linguistic and cultural heritage made these bilingual teacher leaders into the hardworking professionals they are, devoted to doing their best. Second, the findings also revealed that familial, aspirational, and linguistic and cultural identities are both a strength and a struggle. Third, almost all of the bilingual teacher leaders in this study came to the realization that in order to survive stress and burnout, they must take care of themselves. Fourth, social, navigational, and resistant capital emerged as the dominant strategies bilingual teacher leaders relied upon to get through tough times. Fifth, rest as a form of radical resistance emerged as a significant finding from the data analysis. Sixth, the quantitative data showed that transcendental meditation significantly reduced perceived stress (p \u3c .001) and burnout, emotional exhaustion (p = .003) and lack of accomplishment (p = .004), for bilingual teacher leaders in the treatment group as compared with the control. The quantitative findings supported the qualitative results indicating that meditation was effective in reducing stress and burnout for bilingual teacher leaders

An Exploration of Factors Increasing Male Involvement in Couples\u27 HIV Testing in Malawi

Each year HIV is responsible for approximately 75,000 deaths in Malawi and for creating 550,000 (75%) of Malawi\u27s orphans (UNdata, 2006). UNAJDS and the World Healtli Organization recommend HIV testing as an important measure in preventing transmission to future sexual partners and children. However, only 20% of Malawians aged 15 years and above had ever participated in HIV testing (Machinjili, 2006, p.l3). Heterosexual contact is the primary\u27 mode of HIV transmission and is responsible for 90% of Malawi’s HIV infections, making couples an important target for testing (Zanera & Miteka, 2004, p.l85). In Malawi, 93% of pregnant women receive antenatal care, making this a significant healthcare entry point for HIV testing (Zanera & Miteka, 2004, p. 133). Malawian men are not traditionally involved in seeking family healthcare. Acceptance of male involvement in reproductive health programs remains low despite Malawi’s male championship initiative recently introduced to antenatal clinics (Republic of Malawi, 2007, p.71). This study seeks to better understand how to increase male involvement in HIV testing by exploring the relative roles of socio-demographic characteristics, contextual factors and culturally congruent interventions in predicting male testing in antenatal clinics. Culturally congruent interventions including personalized male invitation letters, IV individual encouragement, and specialized male recruitment were implemented in four antenatal clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi across a five month time period. These clinics varied in degree of urbanization and degree of cultural congruency of layout. Through the duration of the five month study, male involvement increased from 0.38% to 3.79%. Findings indicate that the interventions were correlated with an increase in access of couples’ HIV testing. Combinations of inteiv^entions as well as the total number of interv-entions a woman received were found to be a major factor in successful male recruitment. The degree of cultural congruency and urbanization of each clinic was also found to be a significant factor. The socio-demographic characteristic of gestation in weeks was found to be significant. The relative success of these interx^entions suggests that further research should be conducted to increase male involvement using similar strategies and taking into consideration contextual and socio-demographic factors found significant in this study

A descriptive study of attitudes of Episcopalians toward ordination of women

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Kansas, Speech and Drama, 1981

Assisting Novice Teachers With Promoting Democratic Education in the Social Studies Classroom

The purpose of this essay is to provide new social studies teachers with an array of effective and plausible strategies for infusing a democratic education into their classrooms. The presented lessons are grounded in the theories and ideals taught at the university level, but they have been constructed in a practical and realistic manner as such that the often-overwhelmed teacher who is removed from their academic backgrounds can achieve the oft-referenced aims of the field of education. In this sense, the article seeks to bridge the gap between the theories and practices of social studies education and, in doing so, better prepare novice teachers to succeed in their practice. As such, the essay and its contents seek to inform the practices of novice teachers and assist them in feeling both prepared and effective as educators of the social studies

Assisting Novice Teachers With Promoting Democratic Education in the Social Studies Classroom

The purpose of this essay is to provide new social studies teachers with an array of effective and plausible strategies for infusing a democratic education into their classrooms. The presented lessons are grounded in the theories and ideals taught at the university level, but they have been constructed in a practical and realistic manner as such that the often-overwhelmed teacher who is removed from their academic backgrounds can achieve the oft-referenced aims of the field of education. In this sense, the article seeks to bridge the gap between the theories and practices of social studies education and, in doing so, better prepare novice teachers to succeed in their practice. As such, the essay and its contents seek to inform the practices of novice teachers and assist them in feeling both prepared and effective as educators of the social studies

Turning Your Educational Work Into Scholarship

This educational download will help readers turn their work into scholarship with 5 straight forward tips. When doing educational work‐ask questions. Be sure to have a strong educational foundation for teaching, assessment, and evaluation. Work in teams. Use colleagues to help promote educational work. And finally, manage the work flow to ensure completion.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147815/1/aet210131_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147815/2/aet210131.pd

An Investigation into the Seasonal Economic and Energy Performance of CO2 Plume Geothermal (CPG) Power Plants

University of Minnesota M.S.M.E. thesis. August 2015. Major: Mechanical Engineering. Advisor: Thomas Kuehn. 1 computer file (PDF); ix, 87 pages.CO2 Plume Geothermal (CPG) energy production is a renewable form of energy that combines geothermal technology with CO2 sequestration, using the CO2 as the working fluid in naturally permeable thermal reservoirs. In this thesis, we compare the energy and economic performance of an electricity production only CPG plant, as well as CPG plants with that of a combined heat and power (CHP) and district heating cooling (DHC). Initially, the monthly economic parameters of electricity-only CPG power plants are modeled for six cities: Williston, ND, Dallas, TX, New Orleans, LA, Houston, TX, Sacramento, CA, and Williamsport, PA. Meteorological data for each city are used to determine energy production and electric power is assumed to be sold in a competitive market. The monthly economic performance of each plant is compiled over 20 years, the assumed lifetime of a CPG plant, and used to determine each plant's potential for profit. It is found that it is crucial to consider location when determining the economic potential of CPG plants. Cool climates tend to result in higher electricity production as a result of a higher thermodynamic plant efficiency; however, it is also necessary to consider the economic environment, as electricity prices can have just as much of an impact, if not more, on a plant's financial performance. CPG power plants are also found to be economically competitive with other renewable energy options at the same capacity level and current CO2 sequestration and tax incentives can make unfavorable CPG power plants profitable. Next, CPG CHP DHC plants are considered, and three cases of heat production are investigated. Case 1 assumes the system meets peak winter heat demand, Case 2 assumes that some form of thermal storage is available and the system meets average monthly heat demand, and Case 3 assumes that all possible heat produced during winter months is sold. Electricity and heat are assumed to be sold in a competitive market. Six cities are considered, Williston, ND, Dallas, TX, New Orleans, LA, Houston, TX, Sacramento, CA, and Williamsport, PA, spanning 4 of the 5 US climate zones (Zones 1, 2, 3, and 5). Meteorological data are used to estimate energy production and heat demand. CPG is found to produce CO2 at high enough temperatures to be used in a district heating system. Case 1 most closely matches actual demand ratios for power vs heat in the various cities. CPG CHP/DHC plants in cities located in Zone 1 and Zone 2 climates have a higher net present value (NPV) than electricity-only plants. Case 2 and Case 3 CPG CHP/DHC plants in Zone 3 and Zone 5 can have a higher NPV than electricity only, but more consideration must be given to heat demand to ensure profit is increased. In all cities considered, tax credits and CO2 sequestration benefits can increase financial performance of CPG CHP/DHC plants