Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Alternative or flexible program'
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1
Sun, Lin S. M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "A cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative ozone control strategies : flexible nitrogen oxide (NOx) abatement from power plants in the eastern United States." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53060.
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Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-93).
Ozone formation is a complex, non-linear process that depends on the atmospheric concentrations of its precursors, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), as well as on temperature and the available amount of sunlight. The dependence of ozone formation on meteorology makes the timing of emissions important, suggesting the need for a temporally differentiated regulation for NOx emissions. Such a flexible NOx regulation policy, so-called "smart trading", which is designed to target ozone episodes by reducing NOx emissions prior to and during forecasted episodes, has the potential for reducing the compliance cost and helping to solve the persistent ozone non-attainment problem in the Eastern United States. However, the total compliance cost of this new policy depends critically on the accuracy of ozone forecasting. This thesis aims to address the question of whether a NOx trading program that differentiates across emissions by time could reduce ozone concentrations more cost-effectively than the conventional command-and-control method in the Eastern U.S. given the uncertainty in ozone forecasting. A cost-effectiveness analysis is conducted to compare the average cost for achieving a certain amount of ozone reduction under the proposed smart trading plan and the command-and-control policy. The probability distribution of the compliance cost under a smart trading policy is simulated using a stochastic decision model based on the simulated electricity generation and air quality data.
(cont.) This study demonstrates the scientific and economic feasibility of a time-differentiated trading scheme. I explore whether such a regulatory design is justifiable with respect to ozone forecast accuracy by conducting sensitivity analysis of ozone prediction errors and discover that uncertainty in ozone forecasting may not be a major limiting factor for the feasibility of a time-differentiated NOx cap-and-trade program.
by Lin Sun.
S.M.in Technology and Policy
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Glover, Steven James. "Inherently flexible software." Thesis, Durham University, 2000. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4531/.
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Software evolution is an important and expensive consequence of software. As Lehman's First Law of Program Evolution states, software must be changed to satisfy new user requirements or become progressively less useful to the stakeholders of the software. Software evolution is difficult for a multitude of different reasons, most notably because of an inherent lack of evolveability of software, design decisions and existing requirements which are difficult to change and conflicts between new requirements and existing assumptions and requirements. Software engineering has traditionally focussed on improvements in software development techniques, with little conscious regard for their effects on software evolution. The thesis emphasises design for change, a philosophy that stems from ideas in preventive maintenance and places the ease of software evolution more at the centre of the design of software systems than it is at present. The approach involves exploring issues of evolveability, such as adaptability, flexibility and extensibility with respect to existing software languages, models and architectures. A software model, SEvEn, is proposed which improves on the evolveability of these existing software models by improving on their adaptability, flexibility and extensibility, and provides a way to determine the ripple effects of changes by providing a reflective model of a software system. The main conclusion is that, whilst software evolveability can be improved, complete adaptability, flexibility and extensibility of a software system is not possible, hi addition, ripple effects can't be completely eradicated because assumptions will always persist in a software system and new requirements may conflict with existing requirements. However, the proposed reflective model of software (which consists of a set of software entities, or abstractions, with the characteristic of increased evolveability) provides trace-ability of ripple effects because it explicitly models the dependencies that exist between software entities, determines how software entities can change, ascertains the adaptability of software entities to changes in other software entities on which they depend and determines how changes to software entities affect those software entities that depend on them.
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Park, Sherry. "Stakeholders' Perception of Alternative Certification Program." ScholarWorks, 2015. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/893.
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The diminution of Alternative Certification Program (ACP) teachers contributes to the teacher shortage and complicates the challenges of hard-to-staff schools. Some ethnic minority, economically challenged districts have experienced a growing attrition rate of teachers prepared by ACPs, resulting in a scarcity of qualified teachers. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of stakeholders, including teachers currently in the program, teachers who left the program before completion, and program administrators, in order to understand the ACP program. A conceptual framework was based upon theorists Feistritzer and Klagholz, the originators of the ACP movement. Ten participants were selected for this qualitative case study using purposeful sampling, and data were collected through open ended interviews focused on training, challenges, support, and improvements. The hand analysis method was used to generate codes and subsequent themes. The themes developed from the interview questions and that provided some insight into stakeholders' perceptions included the influences of a positive school environment, the detriments of lack of support and preparation, and the apparent need for program restructuring. An ACP training manual based on study findings was designed to address the immanent training and support needs of ACP teachers. The manual may be implemented to train and retain ACP teachers in the district of study. Positive change implications of this study and of this manual may include more relevant professional development and a more structured ACP.
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Fossati, Valentina <1978>. "An alternative B cell development program." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2008. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/699/1/Tesi_Fossati_Valentina.pdf.
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Two major types of B cells, the antibody-producing cells of the immune
system, are classically distinguished in the spleen: marginal zone (MZ) and
follicular (FO). In addition, FO B cells are subdivided into FO I and FO II
cells, based on the amount of surface IgM. MZ B cells, which surround the
splenic follicles, rapidly produce IgM in response to blood-borne pathogens
without T cell help, while T cell-dependent production of high affinity,
isotype-switched antibodies is ascribed to FO I cells. The significance of FO
II cells and the mechanism underlying B cell fate choices are unclear. We
showed that FO II cells express more Sca1 than FO I cells and originate
from a distinct B cell development program, marked by high expression of
Sca1. MZ B cells can derive from the “canonical” Sca1lo pathways, as well
as from the Sca1hi program, although the Sca1hi program shows a stronger
MZ bias than the Sca1lo program, and extensive phenotypic plasticity exists
between MZ and FO II, but not between MZ and FO I cells. The Sca1hi
program is induced by hematopoietic stress and generates B cells with an
Igλ-enriched repertoire. In aged mice, the canonical B cell development
pathway is impaired, while the Sca1hi program is increased. Furthermore, we
showed that a population of unknown function, defined as Lin-c-kit+Sca1+
(LSK-), contains early lymphoid precursors, with primarily B cell potential
in vivo. Our data suggest that LSK- cells may represent a distinct precursor
for the Sca1hi program in the bone marrow.
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Fossati, Valentina <1978>. "An alternative B cell development program." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2008. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/699/.
Full textAbstract:
Two major types of B cells, the antibody-producing cells of the immune
system, are classically distinguished in the spleen: marginal zone (MZ) and
follicular (FO). In addition, FO B cells are subdivided into FO I and FO II
cells, based on the amount of surface IgM. MZ B cells, which surround the
splenic follicles, rapidly produce IgM in response to blood-borne pathogens
without T cell help, while T cell-dependent production of high affinity,
isotype-switched antibodies is ascribed to FO I cells. The significance of FO
II cells and the mechanism underlying B cell fate choices are unclear. We
showed that FO II cells express more Sca1 than FO I cells and originate
from a distinct B cell development program, marked by high expression of
Sca1. MZ B cells can derive from the “canonical” Sca1lo pathways, as well
as from the Sca1hi program, although the Sca1hi program shows a stronger
MZ bias than the Sca1lo program, and extensive phenotypic plasticity exists
between MZ and FO II, but not between MZ and FO I cells. The Sca1hi
program is induced by hematopoietic stress and generates B cells with an
Igλ-enriched repertoire. In aged mice, the canonical B cell development
pathway is impaired, while the Sca1hi program is increased. Furthermore, we
showed that a population of unknown function, defined as Lin-c-kit+Sca1+
(LSK-), contains early lymphoid precursors, with primarily B cell potential
in vivo. Our data suggest that LSK- cells may represent a distinct precursor
for the Sca1hi program in the bone marrow.
6
Gislén, Linda. "Alternative design of robot cell concepts for flexible production." Thesis, Högskolan Väst, Avdelningen för maskinteknik och naturvetenskap, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hv:diva-10022.
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Flexible manufacturing is something that most companies is aiming to accomplish due to the increased demand for variety and a competitive global market. This thesis report includes an introduction to the automation concept and the development towards flexible automation. A general flexible assembly cell is presented and its content and requirements are discussed. The work has been done with focus on an assembly process with dedicated fixtures at VCE (Volvo Construction Equipment). Based on the literature review and the general example, a list of actions to take while planning and implementing a process is developed. The actions roughly include: mapping of the process, defining goals, investigation of automation level, holistic view while planning, definition of the need for flexibility, investment plan, designing and comparing concepts, investigation of possible issues and implementation in small scale. The current manual process at VCE is presented and analysed. Three concepts are designed with product flexibility as an alternative to processes in which traditional dedicated fixtures are used. The designed concepts are a fully automated concept, a hybrid concept with separated workspace and a human-robot collaboration. Finally, the concepts are analysed and compared based on following parameters: productivity, product cost, investment, flexibility, space requirement and setup time. One final comparing summary of the concepts is done. The analysis shows that a fully automated concept is to prefer in this case. However, a human-robot collaboration could be appropriate to use if the process is expected to improve with the human workforce. Examples of when it could be reasonable to use human-robot collaboration despite this are: if the task provides better quality when conducted by human or if the task is complex to automate.
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Dan, Tapan Kumar. "A study of alternative forms of flexible manufacturing systems." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1988. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/32870.
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The study relates to manufacturing conditions in a particular company. Flow synthesis and cell formation analysis have been conducted. A modification of methodology proposed by other researchers has assisted analysis. The main investigation is concerned with modelling, simulation and evaluation of seven alternative FMS configurations conceived for the machining cell manufacturing prismatic parts. The alternative systems encompass 6 CNC machines with (i) manual transport of materials and tools, (ii) with two and four station automated pallet changers, (iii) conveyor system, (iv) stacker crane, (v) rail guided shuttle, and (vi) AGV transport.
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Wrobel, Stefen. "A flexible framework for automatic program understanding." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/8309.
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McShea, Matthew D. "Flexible options in semiconductor design." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/122247.
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Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2019Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 79-82).
In semiconductor design, system architects must find the right balance between competing goals [1]: 1. Creating customer value with low average development costs to minimize overhead over a range of products. 2. Fulfilling customer demand with the lowest per unit cost to maximize profit. 3. Exceeding customer expectations to increase market opportunity and drive future growth. As the cost for semiconductor development and investment increases, so does the uncertainty of market success for new products. In this risky environment, a flexible design that increases market opportunity is potentially highly valuable. Flexible designs allow system architects to defer decisions about the exact system configuration and functionality which in turn minimizes the downside effects associated with unforeseen changes in market demand and promotes learning opportunities which lower per unit cost over time [2].
In semiconductors, monolithic designs built for a single, specific application, often have lower overall manufacturing cost when compared with discrete, general-purpose designs built to handle multiple applications. This thesis focuses on two dimensions of how flexible designs in semiconductors can meet changing requirements: modularity and generality. Modularity is when we can quickly re-configure elements in a system. Generality is when a single element in the system accommodates changing requirements. When carefully applied to semiconductor design, these flexibilities can provide higher overall value across all possible project outcomes when compared with single application, monolithic designs. The thesis presents a case study describing potential applications of flexible design techniques for semiconductor products.
A Net Present Value (NPV) analytical model calculated the expected return on investment for flexible designs combining multiple, smaller dies in a System in Package (SiP) integration. Its goal is to show how proper recognition of uncertainty and the time value of money, generally counter-balances, and sometimes overwhelm the economy of scale benefits from monolithic designs. Ultimately, this case study demonstrates the economic potential of flexible designs of semiconductor products.
by Matthew D. McShea.
S.M. in Engineering and Management
S.M.inEngineeringandManagement Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program
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Andrews, David University of Ballarat. "Program behaviour modelling with flexible logical entity abstraction." University of Ballarat, 2006. http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/12730.
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"This study extends the use of abstration in program behaviour modelling, and provides a flexible abstraction technique that allows modelling in terms of the logical abstract concepts with which a program operates. This technique is called a Logical Entity Abstracted Program Behaviour Modelling (LEAPBM)."--leaf [ii]Doctor of Philosophy
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Andrews, David. "Program behaviour modelling with flexible logical entity abstraction." Thesis, University of Ballarat, 2006. http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/56735.
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"This study extends the use of abstration in program behaviour modelling, and provides a flexible abstraction technique that allows modelling in terms of the logical abstract concepts with which a program operates. This technique is called a Logical Entity Abstracted Program Behaviour Modelling (LEAPBM)."--leaf [ii]Doctor of Philosophy
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Andrews, David. "Program behaviour modelling with flexible logical entity abstraction." University of Ballarat, 2006. http://archimedes.ballarat.edu.au:8080/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/14617.
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"This study extends the use of abstration in program behaviour modelling, and provides a flexible abstraction technique that allows modelling in terms of the logical abstract concepts with which a program operates. This technique is called a Logical Entity Abstracted Program Behaviour Modelling (LEAPBM)."--leaf [ii]Doctor of Philosophy
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Hinds, Drew Samuel Wayne. "Evaluating Alternative High Schools| Program Evaluation in Action." Thesis, Portland State University, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3587104.
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Alternative high schools serve some of the most vulnerable students and their programs present a significant challenge to evaluate. Determining the impact of an alternative high school that serves mostly at-risk students presented a significant research problem. Few studies exist that dig deeper into the characteristics and strategies of successful alternative schooling. Moreover valid program evaluation methods to identify successful alternative school practices are hit and miss. As a result, public policy and systems of accountability have either disregarded information relating to alternative high schools or unjustifiably included them in comparisons with traditional high schools.
This dissertation studied the issue of how best to evaluate alternative high schools and what tools support leaders in planning a thorough and accurate program evaluation. The Alternative High School Program Evaluation Toolkit was developed to support school leaders and evaluation teams made up of internal and external stakeholders as they facilitate the program evaluation process. The features of the Toolkit address the need for alternative school evaluation to be practical, useful, fair and accurate. The Evaluation Toolkit includes training materials, protocols, an evaluation planning worksheet and an evaluation planning matrix that supports the team in conducting the evaluation.
The research represented in this dissertation is theoretically and practically grounded in Bridges and Hallinger's (1995) Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Borg and Gall's (1989) Research and Development (R&D) Cycle. The product of the R&D Cycle was the Alternative High School Program Evaluation Toolkit and a process for use by evaluation teams assigned the task of planning and carrying out program evaluations.
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Stovall, Yolanda Jordan. "Students' Participation in an Alternative to Suspension Program." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3325.
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Black and Hispanic students in the United States are suspended at a higher rate and lag behind White students academically. This project study examined student achievement and behavior in an alternative to suspension (ATS) program at a Midwest U.S. high school. The purpose of this mixed methods, concurrent embedded strategy study was to determine if participation in the ATS program decreased disciplinary referrals and improved student performance. This study was guided by social control theory, which suggests that when students are disengaged in the school environment, student/teacher and peer relationships are damaged and students turn toward delinquent behavior. The study sample included 22 students who were referred to the program in 2012-2013, 12 of whom attended the ATS program and 10 (the control) who did not. Quantitative data were analyzed through chi-square analysis, nonparametric Mann-Whitney U and independent t test, and qualitative data were analyzed for emerging themes. The quantitative results showed no significant relationships between student participation in the ATS program, the number of referrals received, and academic performance, and no significant difference in referrals by ethnicity. The qualitative analysis showed six themes describing the program's structural aspects: program structure, goals and vision, parental involvement, staff support, student gains in behavioral and social skills, and collaborative elements. A curriculum plan was created to proactively support 9th graders as they enter high school. These results and the curriculum plan promote positive social change by informing school personnel of the benefits of being proactive in addressing student achievement and discipline through support programs and other interventions, increasing the graduation rate and reducing the current school-to-prison pipeline.
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Clemo, Gary. "Service discovery as an assisted alternative network detection method for reconfigurable terminals." Thesis, University of Bristol, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.274643.
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Everleth, Kreg R. "An analysis of the Navy's alternative disputes resolution program." Thesis, Springfield, Va. : Available from National Technical Information Service, 1998. http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA351021.
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Porter, Gwendolyn Hankerson. "An evaluation of the Point Option Alternative School Program." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71268.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Point Option Alternative School Program to determine the extent to which the program was effective in achieving its goals. The study, specifically, sought to answer the major research question: Is the Point Option Program successful in achieving its stated goals? and to answer two sub-questions: Did students improve academically? and Did students' self-concepts and attitudes improve?
Three instruments were constructed, validated by a panel of experts, field tested, then administered to the teachers and students in the Point Option Program and the students' parents. Data provided by these instruments were collected, and analyzed employing the Chi Square test of independence. One hundred percent of the teachers, seventy-three percent of the parents and ninety-one percent of the students completed the instruments. An alpha level of .05 was employed to determine whether the data being analyzed was statistically significant. Additionally, two standardized instruments were used. The Science Research Associates' pre and posttest scores were used to measure the students’ academic improvement. A t-test was employed to determine the mean difference between the pretest and posttest scores. The students' grade point averages and attendance records were examined to further assist the researcher in determining the students' academic improvement. Also, the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale was employed to assist the researcher in determining the extent of improvement in the students' self-concepts and attitudes.
The findings showed that teachers, parents and students perceived the Point Option Alternative Program as successful in achieving its goals. In addition, each of the three groups agreed that the students did improve academically, and that the students' self-concepts and attitudes did improve. The results of the students’ SRA pre and posttest, grade point averages, attendance records and Tennessee Self-Concept Scale provided data to support the conclusions that: the Point Option Alternative School Program was successful in achieving its goals, the students did improve academically and the students self-concepts and attitudes did improve.Ed. D.
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Murray, Anthony G. "Strerss on Educators at a Discipline Alternative Education Program." ScholarWorks, 2019. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/7106.
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Interaction with their students during classroom instruction is often a source of stress among many teachers. The academic setting of Disciplinary Alternative Educational Programs (DAEP) poses a risk factor for teachers to experience stress, given that student disruptive behavior has been associated with higher stress levels among teachers. The problem underlying this study was that most studies on DAEP have focused on the experiences of students, with limited information available about the experiences of teachers in this type of academic setting. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the role of job-related stress and coping on the job performance of DAEP teachers, from a transactional theory of stress and coping approach. This exploration was grounded in the theoretical lens of the transactional theory of stress and coping, which served as the link between the importance of the psychological health of teachers and the successful administration of public programs. The geographical setting of the study was a single DAEP campus. Data were collected using 20 individual, face-to-face semi structured interviews. Data were analyzed using the modified van Kaam method of phenomenological analysis, which involves the systematic analysis of data through the process of dividing large quantities of qualitative data into smaller units of meaning. The results produced significant thematic themes. The findings from this study could help scholars and practitioners gain important insight about job-related stressors in DAEP, which could facilitate the improvement of administration and development policies in order to promote a positive work environment in DAEP settings.
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Robinson, Kristin N. "A program evaluation of the DeKalb Alternative Program on the personal advancement of students." DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center, 2004. http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/2813.
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This evaluation examines the effectiveness of the DeKalb Alternative School Program as it relates to increasing the personal growth of the students. The sample consists of 31 faculty of the DeKalb Alternative School who work directly with the students. For the purpose of this evaluation, the effectiveness of the program in advancing personal growth in students was measured by the perceptions of the teachers who work with them daily in the school environment. The evaluation measures faculty perceptions of student growth by using a questionnaire consisting of both open and close-ended questions. Descriptive statistical analysis is used to summarize the overall findings of the evaluation, which reports that the DeKalb Alternative School Program promotes the personal advancement of its students. Findings from this evaluation may be used to maintain or improve the effectiveness of the DeKalb Alternative School Program in addressing the personal advancement of its students.
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Cardin, Michel-Alexandre 1979. "Facing reality : design and management of flexible engineering systems." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40301.
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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2007.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 108-112).
This thesis proposes a practical approach to defining flexible design and development strategies for maximizing the expected value of engineering systems. Specifically, the approach deals with the fact that it is generally computationally impractical to explore all the possible ways a system might be developed and operated, given the large number of possible scenarios in which the system might evolve. To make the analysis tractable within the computational resources available, it proposes that designers and program managers use a catalog of representative operating plans built from combinations of design elements and management decision rules. These are associated with a range of possible scenarios of uncertain variables that might affect the system's expected value and performance. This work develops the novel methodology introduced by (de Neufville, 2006) to guide the search for catalogs of operating plans while aiming at minimizing computational effort. It assumes a model of the engineering system is available, together with several value/performance metrics such as Expected Net Present Value (ENPV) and Value At Risk and Gain (VARG). It uses an algorithm based on statistical experiment design, Adaptive One-Factor-At-a-Time (OFAT) (Frey and Wang, 2006; Wang, 2007), to search the combinatorial space in light of system's responses to a limited set of uncertain variable scenarios.
(cont.) Two case studies demonstrate the benefits of the analysis methodology. One is inspired from the development of a parking garage near the Bluewater commercial center in the United Kingdom. The other relates to the development of a real estate project in the United States. Results from case studies show improvement compared to inflexible design of engineering systems while still requiring minimal computational effort. This, together with appropriate policy recommendations, provides incentives for dissemination of the analysis methodology in industry and government. The simplicity of the methodology and use of tools already familiar to the firm and government agency alleviate political barriers to implementation. It allows designers and program managers to remain within established framework, rules, and management constraints. It favors transparent presentation and efficient application to design and management of engineering systems, thus allowing program managers to present the natural evolution of decisions to senior decision-makers.
by Michel-Alexandre Cardin.
S.M.
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Chen, Minghao. "Fatigue analysis of flexible pipes using alternative element types and bend stiffener data." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for marin teknikk, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-15817.
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The flexible pipe is a vital part of a floating production system. The lifetime of a flexible riser system is crucial for the Health Safety and Environment (HSE) management. As a result of this, it is very necessary to carry out research on the lifetime of flexible pipe. In this thesis we formalized analysis on flexible pipes, utilizing the finite element analysis software BFLEX 2010, developed by MARINTEK. Chapter 1 describes basic knowledge about flexible pipe and relevant facilities. Chapter 2 gives more information about failure mode of flexible pipe and flexible pipe system. The design criteria and design flow chart is included in this part. Chapter 3 demonstrates the concepts in BFLEX 2010 and its basic principles. For BFLEX 2010, different modeling methods are available for the flexible pipes. In Chapter 4, the basic properties about the flexible pipe which is used in this thesis are introduced. The BFLEX model in this thesis is included in this chapter, too. In Chapter 5, two specified load cases are analyzed by BFLEX 2010 with different bending formulations for tendons. Fatigue damage on tensile armour layers and longitudinal stress in pressure armour is given. The fatigue damage is given in the form of Miner Sum. The comparison between different bending formulations is made. In Chapter 6, Comparison between calculation results and testing data is made. At the same time, correlation study about fatigue damage on tensile armour layer is finished. This thesis focuses on the effect of gap between flexible pipe and bending stiffener, and the influence of the E-modulus of bending stiffener.
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Wilds, Jennifer M. "A methodology for identifying flexible design opportunities." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/46567.
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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-109).
Technical and operational uncertainties dynamically change environments for engineering systems. Flexibility allows systems to continue delivering value as the uncertainty unfolds. Uncertainty can better be managed by embedding flexibility into the system. However, system designers do not have a tool or metric that identifies which components within the system to focus embedded flexibility efforts. They rely on intuition developed through experience and expertise to build in system flexibility, often leading to disagreement between system stakeholders (both designers and customers) about where to focus efforts due to the differing perspectives and inability to assess knock-on effects. Therefore, providing a tool to help designers screen the system for opportunities for embedded flexibility will also establish reasoning supporting their claims.This thesis proposes a general screening methodology for identifying potential Flexible Design Opportunities (FDOs) in systems; demonstrates the methodology using a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) platform developed for Department of Defense (DoD); evaluates the ability to exploit FDOs within DoD Acquisitions; and makes recommendations to system designers using the presented case, where the question of where and how to embed flexibility is complicated by multiple system uncertainties. The case study provides useful results, identifying FDOs that were validated by the author's experience as a system engineer and program manager. The development of the methodology yielded two characteristics to screen system components for FDOs: the component's ability to propagate or absorb change and its switch cost associated with making the desired change. Change Propagation Analysis coupled with filtering techniques to reduce the complexity of the data and rank system components with respect a newly proposed metric, Desired Flexibility Score (DFS), that represents the attractiveness of the component for embedded flexibility. The analysis concludes that the DoD acquisitions guidelines do provide opportunities to implement FDOs for longer term programs (> five years). However, process requirements may hinder the ability to react quickly to rapidly changing or emerging technical and operational uncertainties to maximize the upside potential of systems, while minimizing the downside risk.
by Jennifer M. Wilds.
S.M.
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Archibald, Douglas Bollon. "Global education, an alternative program of study for progressive learning." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape3/PQDD_0013/MQ53397.pdf.
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Resare, Nils A. "Alternative salary auction mechanisms for the Navy an experimental program." Thesis, Monterey, Calif. : Naval Postgraduate School, 2007. http://bosun.nps.edu/uhtbin/hyperion-image.exe/07Dec%5FResare.pdf.
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Thesis (Master of Business Administration)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2007.Thesis Advisor(s): Gates, William ; Coughlan, Peter. "December 2007." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 22, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p.47-48). Also available in print.
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Baker, Rachel L. "An evaluation of an alternative middle school at-risk program." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/5558.
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Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2008.The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on July 21, 2009) Includes bibliographical references.
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Price, Teresa Moore. "A study of the alternative school education program in Mississippi." Diss., Mississippi State : Mississippi State University, 2004. http://library.msstate.edu/etd/show.asp?etd=etd-07142004-131458.
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Hofmann, W. C., and P. T. Else. "An Evaluation of an Alternative Commercial Fertilization Program for Cotton." College of Agriculture, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/204529.
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Plant growth products manufactured by BioHumaNetics, Inc. (BHN) were evaluated at the Maricopa Agricultural Center for the third consecutive year in the same field. Treatments included: 1) no fertilizers added; 2) standard fertilization used on cotton at the farm; and 3) a treatment schedule prescribed by BHN. Yields in 1987 were significantly different; the BHN treatment produced the highest yield, and the unfertilized treatment produced the lowest yield. Yields from all three treatments were substantially lower than corresponding 1986 yields.
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Nicholson, Joanna Holly. "Stories of Light and Shade - When School is a Healing Community." Thesis, University of Sydney, 2020. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/23394.
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“… the most important healing experiences in the lives of traumatised children do not occur in therapy itself…what maltreated and traumatised children most need is a healthy community to buffer pain, distress and loss caused by their earlier trauma.” (Perry & Szalavitz, 2017, p. 259-260) The experience and impact of trauma is a significant issue for young people in Australia as they seek to live healthy lives and access a fundamental human right, education. I am an educator in a flexible learning program in Sydney, for students aged 15-19 and sought to understand the issues of flexible learning and trauma informed practices more deeply. 70,000 young people in Australia access high school education through Flexible Learning Programs. The existing literature on these settings indicates that a large number of these young people have experienced trauma, however it has not acknowledged the ongoing impact of trauma as the common factor in the lives of these young people, including their school life. Some settings are therefore not being valued as safe places where trauma recovery can occur. This research project sought to understand the presence of trauma in the lives of students in flexible learning programs; its impact on student life; and how trauma informed and relational pedagogies can give educators a new lens through which to value these programs. Through field notes, student work samples, student interviews and audio recordings of group discussions, I composed a Portrait of school life at Key College, arguing that its value lies in its capacity to be a healing and supportive community for young people who have experienced trauma and been disadvantaged by the systems of neoliberalism which have pervaded mainstream educational settings. This research provides an example of a democratic schooling experience which privileges student voice and student experience.
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Lynch, Cathy. "Creating an alternative energy source for the streets of the world." University of Pittsburgh, 2008. http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-01102008-163141/.
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Kraft, Justin (Justin A. ). "A flexible design framework for autonomous mowing." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/70803.
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Thesis (S.M. in Engineering and Management)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, System Design and Management Program, 2011.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-95).
This work outlines the creation of a flexible design framework for autonomous mowing to meet changing customer needs and functionality across a spectrum of applications from residential areas to sport complexes. The thesis has the objective of creating an optimized architecture to meet a range of functionality that delivers value in diverse customer mission segments. Additionally, autonomous mowing is supported by fast moving technology domains that create the need for technology selection strategies that anticipate future trends in critical metrics. Currently an early dominant design has been produced, but increasing competition is actively advancing the current state of the art for autonomous mowing. An analysis to determine where the value lies in the system, much like the evolution of the PC, determines when to shift between modular and integrated designs. As designs become modular and flexible the importance of knowing which areas of the system capture value and lead to revenue is critical for a company's continued success in the domain. Using this framework Pareto frontiers were developed using genetic algorithms that clearly show the sensitivity between manufacturing costs and total life cycle cost to the consumer using 970 generations. A platform architecture analysis provided a 9% increase in a portfolio Net Present Value by determining an optimum commonality and differentiation plan over that of individually optimized customer segment offerings. This analysis also determines if an open source approach to innovation is viable for increased customer satisfaction while supporting increased manufacturer revenues (Hippel, 2005).
by Justin Kraft.
S.M.in Engineering and Management
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Wang, Eric T. (Eric Tzy-shi). "Alternative isoform regulation in myotonic dystrophy." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/70816.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Harvard-MIT Program in Health Sciences and Technology, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references.
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is the most common form of adult onset muscular dystrophy, affecting more than 1 in 8000 individuals globally. The symptoms of DM are multi-systemic and include myotonia, severe muscle wasting, cardiac arrhythmias, cataracts, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and cognitive deficits. DM is caused by the expansion of CTG or CCTG repeat sequences expressed in noncoding portions of RNA, which sequester or activate RNA splicing factor proteins, leading to widespread deleterious changes in transcriptome isoform usage. We developed a method for studying transcriptomes, RNAseq, which provides a high resolution, digital inventory of gene and isoform expression. By applying RNAseq to human tissues and cell lines, we discovered that essentially 92-94% of all human genes are alternatively spliced, 86% of them with a minor isoform frequency 15% or more. We found that the majority of alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation and cleavage events are tissue-regulated, and that patterns of these RNA processing events are strongly correlated across tissues, implicating protein factors that may regulate both types of events. We applied this method towards the goal of identifying transcriptome changes occurring in DM, focusing on the Muscleblind-like (MBNL) family of RNA binding proteins, which are functionally inactivated by CUG or CCUG repeats. Using RNAseq to profile tissues and cells depleted of MBNLs, we found that MBNL1 and MBNL2 co-regulate hundreds of redundant targets. MBNL1 UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation, followed by sequencing (CLIPseq), was used to identify the in vivo transcriptome-wide binding locations of MBNL1, and facilitated the construction of a context-dependent RNA map for MBNL1 splicing regulation. Extensive 3' UTR binding of MBNL1 was found to localize mRNAs to membrane compartments of mouse myoblasts, suggesting a new global function for MBNLs, and additional mechanisms by which MBNL depletion can lead to DM symptoms.
by Eric T. Wang.
Ph.D.
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Fender, Robyn Alane. "Optional Flexible Year Program and Middle School Student Achievement in Reading." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4056.
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Local student reading results on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness have decreased. It is of great concern that many students had less than full mastery of the prerequisite, fundamental skills in reading. The study site used the Optional Flexible Year Program for remediation of students at risk of not passing the state assessment. The purpose of this concurrent explanatory study was to explore the relationship between participation and nonparticipation in the remediation program and student reading achievement and to better understand staff perceptions regarding the remediation program. Guided by Vroom's expectancy theory of motivation, quantitative research questions asked whether at risk students who participated in the remediation program showed greater increases on reading state assessments than comparable students who did not participate in the remediation program. Qualitative questions examined staff perceptions of the remediation program on the impact of student achievement. Findings showed no statistically significant difference in reading achievement between the experimental and control groups. Perceptions collected through questionnaires and interviews revealed staff negativity towards the remediation program and its ability to positively affect student achievement. This study has the potential for positive social change by contributing to the literature on the Optional Flexible Year Program remediation plan. Study findings will also benefit policy makers, school leaders, and students as they consider strategies presented to improve reading performance.
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Middlebrooks, Arthur James. "Broad utility : architecting flexible and robust systems for a complex operational environment." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/122434.
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Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2019Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 185-188).
The current and future Operational Environment (OE) for the Unites States (US) military is becoming increasingly complex. This complexity requires Systems Engineers and Architects to develop new approaches for evaluating the variability inherent in the OEs of today and tomorrow. In response to this growing capability gap, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) has established the Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS) program. A core tenant of ERS is Broad Utility-that is, the ability of a system to, "perform effectively in a wide range of operations across multiple futures despite experiencing disruptions". [1, p. 872] The goal of this research is to provide system designers with an approach for architecting systems developed under this program for Broad Utility, as well as systems developed outside of this program, in which stakeholders desire the solution to exhibit similar properties. Specifically, through the utilization of Systems Engineering methods and tools, this research accomplishes four objectives: (1) Develops an integrated, holistic model of the Operational Environment-the Operational Environment Exchange Network (OEEN); (2) Validates Flexibility and Robustness as key Ilities of Broad Utility for technical systems; (3) Proposes a set of Architectural Decisions for achieving Broad Utility; and (4) Provides an example of how to apply the Broad Utility Architectural Decisions to a system design problem for the US Army. The proposed Architectural Decisions link the variables of the Operational Environment exogenous to the technical system to the Ilities of Flexibility and Robustness. By accomplishing these research objectives, the resulting design considerations should enable system designers to increase the likelihood that the resulting system exhibits Broad Utility and is more readily able to remain effective, despite physical, social, or technological changes in its external environment.
by Arthur James Middlebrooks.
S.M. in Engineering and Management
S.M.inEngineeringandManagement Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program
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Shusterman, Gemma (Gemma Lester). "PASS: protocols for alternative sexuality and sensibility." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/37401.
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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-97).
It is often said that we live in a network society. Increased familiarity with technical networks has brought the concept to the forefront of public imagination making the network a dominant trope. Whether inherent or ascribed, topologies seem to appear in social theories, transportation systems, technological structures and biological systems to name only a few examples. Often descriptions of networks combine semantics reflecting both conceptual and physical meaning. Regardless of content, be it conceptualization of power, information between computers, relationships between people or neurons; networks rely on topologies and protocols that locate nodes in relation to one another. In the field of technology certain networks are apparent - the internet and the world wide web constitute easily identifiable examples. In the social sciences, descriptions of relationships between people and even of self identity lend nicely to nodes, edges, curves and vertices. In the blurring of boundaries between disciplines the language of the network also becomes a node of interconnection. Technology, sociology, and various branches of theory reference each other in a search for deeper meaning within disciplines.
(cont.) Protocols for Alternative Sexuality and Sensibility or PASS is a wireless networked system designed to function with a multidisciplinary description of a network in mind, incorporating conceptual implications and technical implementation of networking. PASS is a system which visibly tracks connections in public space based on the embodiment of protocols associated with sexual identity. These user configured devices exchange information with other devices in order to uncover the often hidden interconnections created by the internalization of sexual identity. Sexual identity is represented by several alternative paradigms in addition to the culturally predicated homosexual/heterosexual binary. The resulting connections are made visible via independent graphical displays that indicate the various paradigms and connections at play. PASS shows how dominant cultural networks necessitate counter spaces which exist simultaneously in time and space with the hegemonic structures. It is in the revealing of these alternative spaces that I seek a technology of resistance; by connecting people in these counter spaces we create dynamic modes for understanding the influence of normativity and the experience of otherness. The physical representation of these theories reveal the hegemonic protocol structures of interconnection which we internalize as social norms.
by Gemma Shusterman.
S.M.
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Wang, Lidong. "Comparing alternative flexible pipe fatigue stress models with focus on the Bflex helix models." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Institutt for marin teknikk, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-26066.
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this thesis deals with the stress and slip behaviour for non-bonded flexible pipe of three different models (itcode0, itcode1 and fullfe), comparisons are made among these three models. Besides, pipes with different cross sections are analysed, namely 4 inch, 6 inch, 7.5 inch, 8 inch, and 16 inch pipe cases. In addition to the two tensile layers pipe construction for all the pipe size cases, the 7.5 inch pipe with four tensile layers case is also included. The main advantage of this thesis is the application of the new developed beam elements in Bflex2010, namely HSHEAR353, HSHEAR363 and HCONT463, implemented in the new model FullFE. For HSHEAR353 element, the transverse degrees of freedom of the helix are included, while for HSHEAR363 element, the radial degree of freedom of the plastic layer is introduced, which means that the new model FullFE simulates the most realistic situation for design and operation.
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Hale, Melissa F. "Magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy : a viable alternative to conventional flexible endoscopy of the stomach?" Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2016. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/14282/.
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Introduction: Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy is the investigation of choice to identify mucosal lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract, but it is poorly tolerated by patients. A simple non-invasive technique to image the upper gastrointestinal tract, which could be made widely available, would be beneficial to patients. Capsule endoscopy is well tolerated by patients but the stomach has proved difficult to visualise accurately with capsule technology due to its’ capacious nature and mucosal folds, which can obscure pathology. MiroCam Navi (Intromedic Ltd, Seoul, Korea) is a capsule endoscope containing a small amount of magnetic material which has been made available with a handheld magnet which might allow a degree of control. This body of work aims to address whether this new technology could be a feasible alternative to conventional flexible endoscopy of the stomach. Methods: Four studies were conducted to test this research question. The first explores the feasibility of magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy of the stomach and operator learning curve in an ex vivo porcine model. This was followed by a randomised, blinded trial comparing magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy to conventional flexible endoscopy in ex vivo porcine stomach models. Subsequently a prospective, single centre randomised controlled trial in humans examined whether magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy could enhance conventional small bowel capsule endoscopy by reducing gastric transit time. Finally a blinded comparison of diagnostic yield of magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy compared to oesophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed in patients with recurrent or refractory iron deficiency anaemia. Results: In the first study all stomach tags were identified in 87.2% of examinations and a learning curve was demonstrated (mean examination times for the first 23 and second 23 procedures 10.28 and 6.26 minutes respectively (p<0.001). In the second study the difference in sensitivities between oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and conventional flexible endoscopy for detecting beads within an ex vivo porcine stomach model was 1.11 (95% CI 0.06, 28.26) proving magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy to be non-inferior to flexible endoscopy. In the first human study, although there was no significant difference in gastric transit time or capsule endoscopy completion rate between the two groups (p=0.12 and p=0.39 respectively), the time to first pyloric image was significantly shorter in the intervention group (p=0.03) suggesting that magnetic control hastens capsular transit to the gastric antrum but cannot impact upon duodenal passage. In the last study, a total of 38 pathological findings were identified in this comparative study of magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy and conventional endoscopy. Of these, 16 were detected at both procedures, while flexible endoscopy identified 14 additional lesions not seen at magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy and magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy detected 8 abnormalities not seen by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. No adverse events occurred in either of the human trials. Finally magnetically steerable capsule endoscopy induced less procedural pain, discomfort and distress than oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (p=0.0009, p=0.001 and p=0.006 respectively). Conclusion: Magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy is safe, well tolerated and a viable alternative to conventional endoscopy. Further research to develop and improve this new procedure is recommended.
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Thiemann, Angela Amiss. "Perceptions of K-12 Alternative Education Program Leaders in the Commonwealth of Virginia." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/104086.
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Preparation leadership programs for beginning and inexperienced alternative education program leaders are mostly non-existent (Price and Doney 2009). Although finding administrators who have a passion for the alternative education setting is difficult, the challenge and goal to prepare these new leaders to become highly effective leaders in the alternative education environment is just as challenging. "There is little research, however, on exactly what leaders of alternative education programs need in terms of skills, preparation, and training to be successful" (Price and Martin, 2010, p. 3).
The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of K-12 alternative education program leaders in the Commonwealth of Virginia on the experiences, skills, training, and preparation needed for effective alternative education program leadership. Utilizing a basic qualitative research design, structured interviews were used to identify the perceptions of K-12 alternative education program leaders in the Commonwealth of Virginia on the experiences, skills, training, and preparation needed for leadership.Doctor of Education
The course of study required for administrators to become certified principals lacks specialized instruction to focus on the challenges in alternative education program leadership. Although finding administrators who have a passion for the alternative education setting is difficult, the challenge and goal to prepare these new leaders to become highly effective leaders in the alternative education environment is just as challenging. The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of K-12 alternative education program leaders in the Commonwealth of Virginia on the experiences, skills, training, and preparation needed for program leadership. Data were collected using qualitative methodologies. Alternative education program leaders from four schools, grades K-12 in the Commonwealth of Virginia were used in this study. This study yielded 4 findings and four implications for practice. Suggestions for future study would be to conduct the study during a non-pandemic year to include additional alternative education leaders across the Commonwealth of Virginia. All the data obtained provided K-12 alternative education program leadership perceptions about how these findings could assist aspiring school leaders to become better informed on alternative education leadership.
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Ludwicki, John Edward 1963. "Flexible manufacturing equipment design based on a mass customization strategy." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/9749.
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Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 1999.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-68).
Companies are facing an increased challenge to meet the needs of individual customers in a cost effective manner. The days of mass producing standardized products for homogeneous markets for long periods of time are quickly fading from memory. Instead, a large variety of products must be produced at the same efficiencies formerly associated with mass production. In an effort to meet this challenge, some companies are implementing a business strategy of mass customization. One form of this business strategy stresses a modular product architecture. Economies of scale are achieved through standardization of components. Economies of scope are achieved by using similar manufacturing processes for each product line. Still, producing a large variety of products demands flexibility in manufacturing. Therefore, a tremendous burden is placed on manufacturing system designers. They must develop a manufacturing system that can react to frequent product changes yet be highly efficient in this low-volume, high-mix environment. In effect, manufacturing system designers are faced with the same problems imposed on product designers in a business striving to deliver mass customized products. They must meet the individual needs of a variety of manufacturing processes and customers. Because these processes are often specialized, the volumes associated with any one particular process are relatively low. The similarities to the product world are striking. In fact, it can be argued that many of the techniques now used to deliver mass customized products might well be used to deliver mass customized manufacturing systems. Moreover, this concept applies even when the products themselves are mass produced. This thesis investigates the principles and benefits of a mass customization approach to product development and extends those principles to the process domain. The focus will be on the benefits of modularity in manufacturing equipment design. It will be shown that a modular approach to manufacturing equipment design increases the flexibility of the manufacturing system, shortens the time to market, and better meets the needs of manufacturing customers without great sacrifices in cost and efficiency. Throughout this thesis, however, the reader will be reminded that modularity is just one component of the mass customization business strategy and that all components must be aligned to achieve success.
by John Edward Ludwicki.
S.M.
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Feltman, Doris R. "Quality practices of alternative education learning environments as represented in Virginia's Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) program." W&M ScholarWorks, 2013. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539618674.
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The purpose of this study was to analyze a prominent alternative education practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia through an analysis of the Virginia Department of Education's Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) program and the alternative education environment it provides. This was a descriptive study using non-experimental survey research using quantitative and qualitative data to study the phenomena as it exists. Participants included 132 ISAEP program leaders attending the 6th Annual Conference in July, 2012. The study revealed that the ISAEP program is consistent with how alternative education is defined both in Virginia and nationally as it has characteristics similar to those that research informs educators about effective programs. The program blends academics, vocational, career and technical education and training and characteristics such as voluntary enrollment, student-centered individual programming, a functional curriculum with GED completion, and the presents of caring, knowledgeable adults. The program is taught by licensed staff, most of whom hold degrees higher than a Bachelor's and who hold multiple endorsements. All ten exemplary practices were seen as important and moderately positive relationships were found between program leaders' perception of exemplary practices and current practices for seven of ten practices. A weak relationship was found with the practice of leadership and current practice. Leadership was seen as the practice that could most positively impact the quality and effectiveness of the ISAEP program. There was little correlation between importance and practice with respect to Student Assessment. Collaboration with Community and Program Evaluation were practices reported to be least evident.
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Jackson, Shelia P. IV. "Case Study of an Alternative Education Program for At-risk Students." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40528.
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This was a case study analysis of the Opportunity School, an alternative public education program in Danville,Virginia that serves students who are considered academically at-risk, grades six through twelve. A case study analysis of the Opportunity School was implemented to provide specific information regarding the overall effectiveness of the program. In addition, the analysis attempted to: reflect on the worthiness of the program since its inception in 1993; assess the program's strengths and weakness; ascertain students' level of satifaction; address areas that needed further expansion and suggest recommendations, based on indicators of effectiveness cited in the literature.
The case study analysis, which was qualitative and quantitative was the methodology implemented in this research. The case records included, focus group sessions, interviews, student questionnaire, typology--using Kellmayer's indicators, and analysis of students' records.
The sample population for this study was students who participated in the Opportunity School's program in 1996-97. Sixteen students participated in three focus groups and 41 students responded to a questionnaire designed to determine their satisfaction with the Opportunity School. In addition, school records of 153 students who participated in the program for a least one year between 1993-1997 were analyzed using: paired t-Tests, correlation coefficients, standard deviations, means and cross tabulations.
Analysis of student data revealed the Opportunity School's program may have contributed to the positive change in students' academics performance and disciplinary behavior. Other factors that may have contributed to this change are maturation of students and repetitiveness of the Literacy Passport tests, which was used as a barometer to gauge academic performance.
Collectively the Opportunity School's program has provided at-risk students with a second chance to continue their education. However, to more effectively serve students, there are areas that should be strengthen and expanded. Some of these areas included: use and integration of technology in the classroom, more variety in curriculum courses, adding a vocational education component, flexibility around the time of day students attend school and a comprehensive counseling program.
The Opportunity School in Danville, Virginia should continue serving students who are considered at-risk of dropping out of school. Students in the school perceived the program as meeting their needs, and were very satisfied with the program and the school's staff. However, if alternative program for at-risk students are to have have real benefits, merely labeling them alternative will obviously not do. A program design must incorporate quantitative attributes. To further assess the effectiveness of alternative education programs for at-risk populations more longitudinal studies are needed.Ed. D.
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Teague, Leslie Vibbert. "Early Indicators of Future Placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program." Thesis, Piedmont College, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3722956.
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This study examined data on 795 first-graders to identify the presence of characteristics and factors that might indicate a greater likelihood of later placement in a disciplinary alternative education program. Independent variables were chosen based on research indicating their significance and stability over time. Readiness as indicated by preschool attendance, each students oral reading fluency as indicated by their DIBELS score at the end of first grade, behavior marks on their first grade report card, the number of absences in their first-grade year, sex and race of each student, free and reduced meal plan status, and whether or not the student had been retained were examined. Chi-square analysis and one-way ANOVAs were used to test for significance between the independent variables and disciplinary alternative school placement. There was evidence of an extremely strong statistically significant association between each of the independent variables and disciplinary alternative education program placement. The data revealed there is a greater likelihood of later placement in a disciplinary alternative education program in students who demonstrate these early indicators.
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Connett, Dian Dee. "The Culture of an Alternative Education Program: A Participant Observational Study." PDXScholar, 1993. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1201.
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This study is participant observational research focused on the culture of one successful alternative education program. The survey of the literature showed that the problem of high school dropouts is one of numbers and persistence over time. Most research in the past attempted to list characteristics of high school dropouts or elements of successful alternative education programs. Researchers such as Wehlage (1986) and Catterall (1987) have begun to look at a different approach. Their work looks at schools as systems and suggests that educators should direct their attention to the interaction of the school environment with the characteristics of the students. This view fits into a body of work that looks at schools and classrooms as microcultures. The work presented here looks at an alternative education program as a microculture and asks "What appears to be the distinguishing microculture created by the participants of Tri City Alternative Program?" The researcher collected data from interviews, observations, student projects and work, staff meetings, and program materials and records. The data were analyzed and organized to find patterns of behavior and interactions and to determine the meaning the participants attached to their interactions. The elements that distinguish the microculture of the alternative education program were divided into the features of the context and the features of the interactions. The elements of the context were described by the physical setting, the daily instructional schedule, and the non-instructional daily schedule. The elements of the interaction were described by clearly stated expectations, staff and student attention to culture, sense of caring and defining competence, and sense of humor. The researcher concludes by proposing three future areas of work. One is to develop a model of synchronization between the context and interactions of educational programs. The second is to complete additional cultural studies of high school dropouts. The last recommendation is to train teachers and students to use participant observational techniques in their classrooms to build their understanding of their own microcultures.
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Gubbine, Sandra J. "Relationship Between Medicare Alternative Payment Methodology and Hospital Program Service Revenue." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/4629.
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Medicare paid $388.7 billion to acute care hospitals in 2014 representing the largest portion of the health care sector in the United States. Medicare implemented an innovative reimbursement model called Value Based Purchasing (VBP) to ensure hospitals provide quality care for the dollars spent. This correlation study used the VBP theoretical framework developed by Dudley as the foundation for the reimbursement model implemented by Medicare in 2013. The data used for this study came from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid, as well as from Guidestar. The data focused on acute care, nonprofit hospitals located in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Data trending and scatter plot graphs were used to analyze trends and basic correlation. Pearson correlation coefficient tests were performed to confirm correlation. The results showed no statistically significant relationship between program service revenue and the VBP domains for years 2013 and 2015. A weak positive relationship existed between 2014 program service revenue and the process of care domain; however, no statistically significant relationship existed between the remaining domains. The results from this study showed that quality metrics for acute care hospitals did not improve as the VBP criteria from Medicare expanded across the institutions included in the study. Hospital quality metrics are publicly accessible to everyone and allows patients to see actual results rather than the only resource being positive marketing campaigns. Accessibility to actual data has a positive influence on social change because patients can make informed choices for their personal health care needs.
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Avery, Koury A. "Factors that Cause Repeated Referral to the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program." ScholarWorks, 2016. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3081.
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Students are referred to alternative schools such as the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) for violations against the student code of conduct. Students who are referred and attend DAEPs are more likely to make failing grades and drop out of school permanently. However, a lack of understanding existed about why some students repeatedly receive referrals to the DAEP.The purpose of this case study was to gain an understanding about why some students are repeatedly being sent to the DAEP in a school district in north central Texas. The conceptual framework was based on Catalano and Hawkins' social development theory which posited that through consistent socialization, children learn prosocial or antisocial behavior patterns from the social units to which they are bonded. In this study, 14 purposefully selected classroom teachers participated in one-on-one conversational interviews to explore teachers' perceptions about why some students are repeatedly sent to the DAEP. Inductive analysis was used for coding and identifying emerging concepts, themes, and events. Six major themes emerged from analysis of the data: school structure, classroom/behavior management, class size, student labeling, extracurricular activities, and teacher-student relationships. The results illustrate the need for changes to disciplinary policies, new transition procedures, and improved staff training. This study may contribute to positive social change by suggesting strategies that schools could use to decrease the number of referrals to the DAEP. In turn, by decreasing the number of referrals school failure and dropout rates would decrease and as a result enable youth to eventually become productive members of society.
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Yick, Sin-yan Jamie. "Adaptable home a sustainable alternative to housing in Hong Kong and Pearl River Delta /." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2004. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B31987424.
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Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2004.Includes special report study entitled: Movable architecture: a study of movable environment in the past, present and future. Also available in print.
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Gong, Nan-Wei. "Design and applications of inkjet-printed flexible sensate surfaces." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/91434.
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Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2013.101
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 138-145).
We live in a world where everyday artifacts begin to be designed and augmented as media interfaces. New technologies based on this mission enable us to more easily sense, interact, and communicate with objects. However, the world is highly variable in physical forms. To achieve the vision of ubiquitous computing, common manmade objects need to be designed from the ground up to incorporate computers and sensors. Often, we find ourselves confined by existing sensing infrastructures that are not designed to adapt the complexity of the physical world. This dissertation presents a research platform to investigate design principles and applications for flexible sensate surfaces. This platform utilizes recent advancements in low-cost, roll-to-roll conductive inkjet printing technology as an enabler for creating a scalable, physically and functionally adaptive and customizable sensing system. This collection of work demonstrates design principles and examples in the following four areas: manufacturing, customizable computer aided design, fabrication with physical manipulation and multi-modal sensing techniques. Two types of manufacturing methods are used and characterized. The first approach customizes the sensing design in a digital environment, where users define the geometry, shape and sensing inputs in a computer and print out customized functional patterns. The second approach is sensor fabrication via physical manipulation, where the sensate surface is premanufactured and through an additive method (paneling linear sensor tape stripes), or a subtractive method (cutting a sensor sheet), and the shape and sensing targets are processed post-manufacturing. Lastly, I demonstrate three techniques for multimodal sensing - designing "target specific shapes" for different sensing targets, multiplexing single input electrodes with various analog circuits for near surface sensing (pressure, touch, folding, proximity sensing), and adding extra layers of chemical for the designed ad-hoc sensing target alteration. The outcome of this exploration combines emerging technologies to realize a new way of designing sensate surfaces for smart environments and objects and helps us rethink sensing as both a graphical design and a physical manipulation process. In the course of this thesis, I demonstrate these principals by designing, testing, and evaluating a variety of flexible sensate surfaces.
by Nan-Wei Gong.
Ph. D.
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Duval, Jean-François S. M. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "FlexSEA : flexible, scalable electronics architecture for wearable robotic applications." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/98647.
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Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2015."June 2015." Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-136).
The work of this thesis aims to enable the fast prototyping of multi-axis wearable robotic systems by developing a new modular electronics system. The flexible, scalable electronics architecture (FlexSEA) developed for this thesis fills the void between embedded systems used in commercial devices and in research prototypes. This system provides the required hardware and software for precise motion control, data acquisition, and networking. Scalability is obtained through the use of fast industrial communication protocols between the modules, and the standardization of the peripheral interfaces. Hardware and software encapsulation is used to provide high-performance, real-time control of the actuators while keeping the high-level control development fast, safe and simple. The FlexSEA kits are composed of two custom circuit boards (advanced brushless motor driver and microcontroller board), one commercial embedded computer, a complete software stack and documentation. During its development it has been integrated into a powered prosthetic knee as well as an autonomous ankle exoskeleton. To assess the usability of the FlexSEA kit, a new user successfully used a kit to read sensors and control an output device in less than three hours. FlexSEA simplifies and accelerates wearable robotics prototyping.
by Jean-François Duval.
S.M.
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Seitinger, Susanne 1978. "Liberated pixels : alternative narratives for lighting future cities." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/61935.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2010.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 165-171).
Lighting and illuminated displays shape our relations to urban environments and to one another at night and increasingly during the day by transforming what Kevin Lynch referred to as the "image of the city" (1964). Today, the wide-spread availability of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) in combination with embedded, miniaturized computation offers different ways of designing ambient infrastructures. In this dissertation, I explore these alternatives by exploiting the programmable and responsive capabilities of LED-based, low-resolution systems. In short, I examine the alternative aesthetic and communications opportunities afforded by a new generation of lighting and display technologies in the city. I investigate the origins of lighting and displays to illustrate how they have evolved through a complex interleaving of the social and the material. This grounding leads me to develop three design explorations that focus on programmability, addressability, responsiveness, mobility and ad-hoc control. The first of these explorations, Urban Pixels, presents a wireless network of individual, autonomous physical pixels that can be deployed on any surface in the city. The second, Light Bodies, reconnects with the history of lights-on-people like lanterns that travel through the city with their users. The third, Augmented-reality (AR) Street Light, provides a layer of programmability for existing infrastructural networks. Together the historical perspective and design interventions lead to a framework of what I call "liberated pixels", a new generation of lighting and display technologies. Liberated pixels can be placed flexibly within any context and recruited in different situations for aesthetic and ambient information purposes. This vision captures the contingent and emergent nature of "sociomaterial assemblages" (Suchman 2007) to chart holistic technical, aesthetic, and social directions for future infrastructures of "imageability" (Lynch 1964) in the city.
by Susanne Seitinger
Ph.D.
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Bjørnsgård, Tommy, and Kim Saxlund. "The Improved Peer2Me Framework : A flexible framework for mobile collaboration." Thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Computer and Information Science, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-8700.
Full textAbstract:
This master thesis presents a new and redesigned version of Peer2Me, a framework for developing mobile collaborative applications on mobile phones. The first version of Peer2Me was designed and created by Carl-Henrik Wolf Lund and Michael Sars Norum in 2005, which was presented in their master thesis, The Peer2Me Framework, [31]. We evaluated their framework in our depthstudy [5], fall of 2005. The evaluation showed that the framework lacked some desired and necessary functionality, had some bugs and was a bit hard to use. This thesis also describes the history of Peer2Me along with cental concepts regarding peer-to-peer networking in an mobile ad hoc environment. There are a lot of on going and finished projects that can be related to Peer2Me. We have chosen to investigate the most interesting and relevant projects, which are presented in Chapter 11, State of the Art. Since a redesign of the Peer2Me framework was necessary, we have performed a research in the most recognized architectural tactics, design patterns and architectural patters. Before embarking on the task of designing the framework, a research in the latest technology was necessary. In our depthstudy [5], we had already performed such a research, so we only had to obtain the latest development in the related areas. Special attention was given to the Bluetooth wireless network technology. All created packages, classes and interfaces are thoroughly described along with their roles in the framework. We felt that a mere description of the modules was not enough, so we wrote Chapter 16, Design Decisions, which discusses the different crossroads we faced with during development, and the path we chose. To give the reader an impression of how the framework can be used, we also developed some applications that utilizes the new framework. Lastly we evaluated our work, compared the old and new framework, discussed the problems we encountered, answered our research questions and summarized the thesis. All source code, javadoc and a functional, new version of Peer2Me are attached along with this report.
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Bentley, Patricia Peterson 1954. "Genetic manipulation : the paradox of control in a flexible corporation." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34340.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Science, Technology and Society, 2000.Includes bibliographical references (p. 399-410).
This dissertation is a two-theme ethnography focusing on the early history of one company within the context of the turbulent business environment of the 1990's. One theme is the control exercised by a corporation to mold its people to achieve certain productive ends, focusing on three areas: culture, physical environment and technology. The second theme is the ability of a corporation to be flexible. Taken together, the two themes form the self-contradictory notion of trying to control a group to increase its ability to be flexible. Many writers who focus on organizations have found the biological metaphor of evolution a useful way to conceptualize some aspects of a successful firm. In contrast I find the biological metaphor of genetic manipulation best illustrates the kind of control exercised by the leadership of this particular firm. From its inception, the leadership team wanted to create a flexible firm, one that could thrive in a turbulent environment. Rather than rely on a multiplicity of heterogeneous experiments, they actively manipulated specific aspects of the firm. The early results, the formation of a successful company, suggested that those controls and the decision to actively mold the firm using such controls were the right choices. When faced with a radical change in the marketplace, the arrival of the Internet economy, the leaders of this firm responded with the same technique and once again were able to mold a successful firm. To the extent that the Internet economy requires companies to change at Internet speed, this firm's ability to manipulate its own "DNA" may well be a model for success for other firms in this environment.
by Patricia Peterson Bentley.
Ph.D.