A SYSTEM-WIDE APPROACH FOR ANALYZING JAPANESE WHEAT IMPORT ALLOCATION DECISIONS

This paper develops and implements an import allocation model based on Theil's system-wide approach to demand and tests the assumption of blockwise dependence and uniform substitutability among different sources and types of wheat imported by Japan.Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Lessons learned in the development of the STOL intelligent tutoring system

Lessons learned during the development of the NASA Systems Test and Operations Language (STOL) Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS), being developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center are presented. The purpose of the intelligent tutor is to train STOL users by adapting tutoring based on inferred student strengths and weaknesses. This system has been under development for over one year and numerous lessons learned have emerged. These observations are presented in three sections, as follows. The first section addresses the methodology employed in the development of the STOL ITS and briefly presents the ITS architecture. The second presents lessons learned, in the areas of: intelligent tutor development; documentation and reporting; cost and schedule control; and tools and shells effectiveness. The third section presents recommendations which may be considered by other ITS developers, addressing: access, use and selection of subject matter experts; steps involved in ITS development; use of ITS interface design prototypes as part of knowledge engineering; and tools and shells effectiveness

Response styles and the quality of survey data: evidence from Guyana

Based on eight chapters, half of which have been published as research papers, this thesis demonstrates the role of cultural factors such as urbanity in response styles of survey data. Although rating scales are quite popular ways of obtaining opinions in surveys, response styles are generally not controlled in data analysis. This has important consequences for the accuracy of research results, as evidenced in the author's Guyanese dataset

Computer Simulation and Device Physics of SiGe Heterojunction Bipolar Transistors

Recent advances in semiconductor growth technology have enabled the growth of SiGe strained layers on silicon substrates. Si/SiGe technology has a promising future, especially in microwave HBT applications. This work describes the development of an existing two-dimensional drift-diffusion device simulation program for accurate modelling of SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT\u27s). PUPHS2D (Purdue University Program for Heterostructure Simulation in Two Dimensions) was formulated by Paul Dodd [Dod89] as an AlGaAs/GaAs HBT simulation tool. This work describes the extension of this program to the silicon and Si 1|_xGex material systems. The computer model allows the user to explore internal device physics as well as terminal characteristics of a device. Field-dependent mobility has been added to the program in order to more accurately compute high-field transport phenomena. The simulation tool is used to study the performance of silicon bipolar transistors and Si/SiGe HBT\u27s, and these results are presented in chapter 4

Elementary Teachers' Receptivity to Integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education in the Elementary Grades

This study examines elementary teachers' receptivity to integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the elementary grades prior to formal approval and declaration of its implementation in elementary schools. A 35-item, seven-point Likert scale survey instrument, adapted from Waugh and Godfrey's (1993, 1995), and Lee's (2000) receptivity to change instruments, was formatted, uploaded, and distributed online. In addition, face-to-face interviews were conducted to support, clarify, and/or extend quantitative data. Analyses revealed that overall elementary teachers' receptivity was positive to integrated STEM education in the elementary grades. Further, analyses revealed that novice teachers had significantly more positive attitude than veteran teachers to integrated STEM education in the elementary grades, general education teachers had significantly more positive attitude and behavior intentions than did special education teachers, and intermediate grade-level teachers had significantly more positive behavior intentions than primary grade-level teachers.Analyses revealed strong positive relationships between each dependent variable (attitude and behavior intentions) and two of the independent variables (perceived school and other types of support and perceived practicality), and each dependent variable showed a strong negative relationship with teachers' issues of concern. In addition, a significant proportion of the variation in teachers' attitudes and teachers' behavior intentions was predicted by the linear combination of teachers' issues of concern associated with implementing integrated STEM education, perceived school and other types of support, and perceived practicality of integrated STEM education in the elementary grades.Finally, qualitative data, in support of quantitative data, revealed that elementary teachers possess initial positive receptivity to implementing integrated STEM education in the elementary grades. Analysis further revealed elementary teachers' perceived obstacles to and they provided insightful perspectives on how best to achieve short and long-term success for implementing integrated STEM education into the elementary grades

Software for Collaborative Engineering of Launch Rockets

The Rocket Evaluation and Cost Integration for Propulsion and Engineering software enables collaborative computing with automated exchange of information in the design and analysis of launch rockets and other complex systems. RECIPE can interact with and incorporate a variety of programs, including legacy codes, that model aspects of a system from the perspectives of different technological disciplines (e.g., aerodynamics, structures, propulsion, trajectory, aeroheating, controls, and operations) and that are used by different engineers on different computers running different operating systems. RECIPE consists mainly of (1) ISCRM a file-transfer subprogram that makes it possible for legacy codes executed in their original operating systems on their original computers to exchange data and (2) CONES an easy-to-use filewrapper subprogram that enables the integration of legacy codes. RECIPE provides a tightly integrated conceptual framework that emphasizes connectivity among the programs used by the collaborators, linking these programs in a manner that provides some configuration control while facilitating collaborative engineering tradeoff studies, including design to cost studies. In comparison with prior collaborative-engineering schemes, one based on the use of RECIPE enables fewer engineers to do more in less time

THE IMPACT OF THE EXPORT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ON INTERNATIONAL FEED BARLEY MARKETS

A "hybrid" spatial price equilibrium model is developed to evaluate differences in trade flows and equilibrium prices for feed and malting barley exports from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and European Union, caused by the U.S. Export Enhancement Program (EEP). The analysis incorporates the relationships among several policy instruments.Demand and Price Analysis, International Relations/Trade,

An Experiential-Based Computer Technology Curriculum

Short Abstract: A new computer curriculum uses studios in which students work to complete projects designed to tie together content learned that semester with topics of previous semesters. Students record their work in a portfolio, which demonstrates their ability to employers and provides data for program assessment. Full Abstract: Traditional computer curricula organize courses around getting students proficient in discrete content areas such as computer programming, database management, etc. Such an organization can make it difficult for students to understand how separate topics fit together in the practicing life of a software developer. Also, students lose proficiency in topics as semesters pass, reducing the effectiveness of the final capstone course. We addressed these weaknesses by developing a computer curriculum that moves students through a curriculum that emphasizes the completion of projects so that graduates emerge ready to practice in the field by having used its core tools and techniques many times over. Central to the curriculum are the studio and the portfolio. In studio, students work to complete projects designed to tie together content learned that semester with topics of previous semesters. Students record their work in a portfolio, which demonstrates their ability to potential employers and provides data for program assessment. The new curriculum has been in effect for one year. The presentation includes the detailed design of the curriculum; its implementation to date; the planned and completed development of the program’s academic-outcomes assessment tools; and the planned assessment of the program’s business outcomes