The non-promotion policy versus the social-promotion policy in the Boston public school system

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

It’s not the model that doesn’t fit, it’s the controller! The role of cognitive skills in understanding the links between natural mapping, performance, and enjoyment of console video games

This study examines differences in performance, frustration, and game ratings of individuals playing first person shooter video games using two different controllers (motion controller and a traditional, pushbutton controller) in a within-subjects, randomized order design. Structural equation modeling was used to demonstrate that cognitive skills such as mental rotation ability and eye/hand coordination predicted performance for both controllers, but the motion control was significantly more frustrating. Moreover, increased performance was only related to game ratings for the traditional controller input. We interpret these data as evidence that, contrary to the assumption that motion controlled interfaces are more naturally mapped than traditional push-button controllers, the traditional controller was more naturally mapped as an interface for gameplay

Ryan-Matura Library Annual Report, 1998-1999

Library Annual Report, presented by Mary Rogers, Interim University Librarian, for the Academic Year 1998-1999

Ryan-Matura Library Annual Report 1999-2000

Annual report for the academic year 1999-2000

EFFICACY OF BIOPESTICIDES FOR ORGANIC MANAGEMENT OF CUCUMBER BEETLES

Organic growers are limited in crop protection techniques for cucumber beetle management. Spotted (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) and striped (Acalymma vitatta) cucumber beetles and are significant pests of cucurbits in the U.S. Feeding results in aesthetic damage and reduction in marketable yields as well as transmission of bacterial wilt that can result in plant mortality. Biopesticides are products formulated from naturally occurring organisms such as fungi and bacteria that are pathogenic or toxic to insect pests. Advantages to these products are that they have low environmental risk, low risk to non-target organisms including mammals and beneficial insects, and can help reduce resistance to pesticides when used in an integrated pest management program. The overall goal of this dissertation was to examine the potential of microbial products to reduce mortality and feeding by cucumber beetles for the benefit of organic producers. Chapter one is a review of the biopesticide industry, biology of microbial agents for insect pest management, the role of biopesticides in sustainable agriculture, and constraints to their use. Chapter two is on the field experiment conducted on Galia melons in 2010 and 2011 using Chromobacterium subtsugae and Beauveria bassiana. Chapter three is on the laboratory assays using Beauveria bassiana and the laboratory and field experiments using Isaria fumosorosea. Chapter four is the final experiment on the effects of these microbial agents on cucumber beetles and squash bugs in organic pumpkin production. The results indicated anti-feedant effects by Chromobacterium subtsugae and Beaveria bassiana in the laboratory assays, but field trial results were inconclusive and did not show a reduction in beetle populations or a yield increase resulting from spray applications of these microbial agents. Complications in the field studies arose from plant pathogens and physiological factors independent from cucumber beetle population and damage. Recommendations are to improve biopesticide efficacy through improving formulation and delivery, by additional screening and testing to determine efficacy on multiple life stages of the pest, and research to increase the understanding of ecological roles and interactions of microbial biopesticides in the environment

Metacognition and Living Above Zero

Metacognition is a multi-dimensional phenomenon consisting of knowledge and regulatory skills used to monitor, control, and appraise one’s thoughts and thought processes (Schraw, 1998; Wells, 2009). This essay contends that metacognition is relevant to positive psychology and the non-clinical application of well-being practices as it may be utilized to promote self-efficacy, decrease anxiety, and increase well-being. Fortifying metacognitive processes (i.e. knowledge and regulation of cognition) is conceived to foster a sense of control regarding one’s thoughts and behaviors, thereby increasing one’s self-efficacy. Next, it is argued that metacognition may be used to decrease anxiety as the monitoring processes subsumed in metacognition offer a mechanism to manage the effects of cognitive processes which intersect emotional disturbance. An exploration of various existing therapies intends to show the subliminal presence of metacognition and its capacity to mitigate anxiety for those in the non-clinical population. Finally, it is hypothesized that metacognition may be utilized to increase well-being as knowledge and regulatory cognitive capacities permit one to appraise and manage cognitions, strategize, and modify behaviors which are more aligned with one’s goals and values. Metacognitive skills may be employed to pursue practices which increase positive affect, encourage a positive sense of self, and generally promote flourishing

Cashing in on girl power : the commodification of postfeminist ideals in advertising

Field of study: Journalism.Dr. Cristina Misl�n, Thesis Supervisor."December 2017."Over the last decade, fem-vertising, Girl Power rhetoric, feminist consumerism and commodity feminism have proliferated in advertising. This study analyzes key literature regarding how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and cause marketing incorporate postfeminist and neoliberal theory into marketing campaigns to encourage women to consume brands as a sign of their independence and power. This research, conducted as qualitative focus group analyses, examines how groups of racially diverse collegeaged women define feminism and the modern empowered woman, how they connect and react to advertisements using women's empowerment as a selling point, and how they feel about the portrayal of race in these advertisements. Through this research, it became clear that race matters when discussing these advertisements. Definitions of feminism depended on participants' race, and racial diversity in the advertisements was a powerful motivator, especially for women of color. The advertisements using feminist rhetoric were deemed empowering, but not feminist, and participants were ultimately skeptical of corporations promoting feminist politics. However, they struggled to imagine a better alternative, and accepted that it was their responsibility to purchase from companies that represented their values. Overall, participants reinforced the use of a neoliberal lens to understand postfeminist advertising. Keywords: commodity feminism, postfeminism, neoliberalism, cause marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), intersectionalityIncludes bibliographical references (pages 69-74)