1941 research outputs found
Sort by
The Hydrogen Molecular Ion in an Intense Elliptically Polarized Laser Pulse
No full textMentors: Xiaoxu Guan and Klaus BartschatWe investigate how the simplest molecular ion, Dihydrogen (H2
+), reacts when exposed to an intense
ultrashort laser pulse. We use a computer code written in parallel FORTRAN, which is run on a
Drake-owned cluster. The program uses a finite-element method to numerically solve the Schrödinger
equation for the ion’s electron. We determine the ground-state energy via imaginary time propagation.
After generating the initial wave function of the electron, we consider the effect of a strong laser
pulse striking the system. Specifically, we investigate the survival probability of the initial state as a
function of the laser intensity and the electric polarization vector. We will show snapshots of the
probability density for finding the electron in space at various times in the pulse.Drake University, College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Physics & Astronom
Current and Future Carbon Content of Standing Biomass in Gishwati Forest Reserve
No full textMentor: David Courard-HauriWe determine the carbon content of standing biomass in the Gishwati forest reserve in northwestern
Rwanda, and estimate the growth potential of naturally regenerated forest there. In surveying UNFCC
Clean Development Mechanism projects, we suggest that current methods of growth rate projection
for mixed, non-plantation forests may significantly overestimate the amount of carbon sequestered,
and identify an alternative method for the calculation of sequestration potential. We find that the
Gishwati forest is expected to sequester an average of 0.885 tonnes C/ha per annum over the next 30
years.Drake University, College of Arts & Sciences, Environmental Science & Policy Progra
Customized Pricing: Win-Win or End Run?
Get PDFModern technology, particularly as associated with internet shopping, permits excellent estimations of individual consumer willingness to pay. Customized pricing is defined as a pricing strategy based upon such individualized estimates--each customer is presented with an individual price. The paper addresses the ethical, legal, and managerial challenges of customized pricing practice. A simple empirical study is included to illustrate not only the economic effects of customized pricing but, also, the surprising finding of initial consumer satisfaction with customized prices. Participants showed considerably less satisfaction, however, upon learning the nature of the pricing technique
Iowa Virtual Literacy Protocol: A Pre-Experimental Design Using Kurzweil 3000 Text-To-Speech Software With Incarcerated Adult Learners
Get PDF1 online resource (140 leaves)The problem: The increasingly competitive global economy demands literate,
educated workers. Both men and women experience the effects of education on
employment rates and income. Racial and ethnic minorities, English language learners,
and especially those with prison records are most deeply affected by the economic
consequences of dropping out of school. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect
of adaptive technology (text-to-speech software) on incarcerated low-literate adult
populations. This study will determine the effectiveness of text-to-speech computer
software technology with incarcerated adult learners seeking to improve literacy
competencies.
Procedures: The study employed pretests and posttests of a cohort of 24
incarcerated adult learners in two Midwest incarceration facilities segregated by gender.
The students spent instructional time using the Kurzweil 3000 text-to-speech computer
software in the prison educational center. The study was completed in five months from
winter of 2010 to spring of 2011. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests
and a categorical description for student/teacher satisfaction (like or dislike) and ease of
use.
Findings: The t-test determined there was a significant positive difference
between pretest and posttest Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS)
literacy scores when using a text-to-speech treatment with adult incarcerated populations
with low literacy skills. The majority of students and teacher/mentors experienced
satisfaction with the technology usage.
Conclusions: The findings supported literacy improvement by using text-to-speech
computer software in the incarcerated adult population of students with beginning
low-literacy skills.
Recommendations: Recommendations for future research include expansion of
the study to include non-incarcerated adult students, studies of the effectiveness of adult
education curricula, advanced professional development for educators working in the
prison environment, more accommodating technology application within a blended
classroom, and inclusion of a more in-depth longitudinal study to assess benefits over
time with the inclusion of multiple assessments and entry points for student engagement
The Effect of Violent Video Games on Aggression
Get PDFMentors: Olga Lazareva and Martin AcerboIn the past, extensive research has been conducted on immersive platform-based video games. However,
research has not yet examined Flash-based video games that are generally less immersive and
available to a more diverse audience. This study examines the level of aggression by testing stress of
participants after playing one of three video games: Tetris, Tank Blitz, and Highway Pursuit 2. Measures
used to assess stress include an implicit measure of aggression, the Word Completion Task; an
explicit measure of aggression, the Buss-Perry Scale of aggression; and a physiological measure of
aggression, a concentration of cortisol in saliva samples (Anderson et al., 2004; Buss & Perry, 1992).
Participants were administered the Buss-Perry Scale and the Word Completion Task before and after
playing the video game for ten minutes. Saliva samples were collected prior to playing the video
game, immediately after finishing the video game, and 15 minutes after playing the video game, during
which participants completed content-neutral tasks. We also collected the ratings of perceived
game complexity and videogame experience. Preliminary results will be presented.Drake University, College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Psycholog
Impairment of Figure-Ground and Shape Discrimination After Lesion of Nucleus Subpretectalis in Pigeons
Get PDFMentors: Olga Lazareva and Martin AcerboOur earlier research has shown that nucleus rotundus, a thalamic nucleus processing visual information
in pigeons, together with its inhibitory complex, is differentially activated in birds performing
figure-ground discrimination, color discrimination, and shape discrimination (Acerbo, McInnerney, et
al., in preparation). In this study, we conducted bilateral chemical lesions of nucleus subpretectalis, a
major inhibitory nucleus that regulates activity of nucleus rotundus but does not process visual information
directly. We trained pigeons to simultaneously perform three visual discriminations (figureground,
color, and shape) using the same displays. When birds learned to perform all three tasks at
high levels of accuracy, we conducted the bilateral lesions of n. subpretectalis using ibotenic acid.
After a period of recovery, the birds were retrained on the same tasks to evaluate the effect of lesion
on maintenance of discriminations. Preliminary results indicate that lesion of nucleus subpretectalis
has no effect on color discrimination, and impairs both shape and figure-ground discrimination. These
results suggest that figure-ground segregation in avian brain may occur at the level of thalamus, rather
than at the cortical level as it does in primates.Drake University, College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Psycholog
IASB & FASB Convergence Project: Revenue Recognition
Get PDFAccounting revenue recognition practices have a pervasive, profound impact on the financial statements of a business entity. As such, soon after committing to a plan for convergence of two major sets of accounting standards with the Norwalk Agreement of 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) of the United States and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) undertook a project to converge their standards of revenue recognition. Through an analysis of historical practices of the two boards and progress to date on the convergence of revenue recognition standards, this paper presents further recommendation for improvement of the convergence effort. Acknowledging the progress to date, we recommend further international and industry collaboration measures to ensure that the resulting standard provides the most useful information possible to financial statement users. Progress to date along with our recommendation assure that the resulting worldwide standard of revenue recognition provides specific principle based guidance that promotes international consistency while providing the flexibility for national and industry specific application
Secondary School Experiences of Male Recovering Substance Abusers
Get PDF118 leavesProblem: Adolescents who begin abusing substances, including alcohol, prescription drugs, and
illegal drugs often fail in school suffering life-altering consequences (Cox, Zhang, Johnson, &
Bender, 2007). While plentiful research exists on substance abuse, there is a dearth of research
on the school experiences of recovering substance abusers.
There is a lack of awareness of ways for families, schools, and agencies to recognize potential
roadblocks to guide every student toward a successful learning environment.
Methods: Using a phenomenological approach (Creswell, 2007) the lived experiences (Van
Manen, 1990) of recovering substance abusers’ secondary school experiences were explored.
Using semi-structured interviews (Kvale, 1996), six adult males were interviewed 3 times
(Seidman, 2006). Data collection consisted of verbatim transcriptions, my reflexive journaling
and field notes, and member checks during and after the interview process. Open coding
strategies (Strauss & Corbin, 1998) were used to determine emerging themes and commonalities.
Findings: Participants’ accounts revealed seven key themes of their secondary school
experiences. 1. Importance of parental, sibling, and child relationships on child wellbeing. 2.
Impact of parental practices on development of the child academically and emotionally. 3.
Importance of peer influence and peer relationships on student behavior. 4. Human need for
connectedness and purpose. 5. Relationship between participation in extra-curricular activities
and school success. 6. Link between student-school relationships, school success, and avoidance
of substance abuse. 7. Initiation and progression of substance abuse.
Conclusions: Participants experienced a lack of a sense of belonging in different phases of their
lives, and within the different groups to which they belonged. Consequently, participants sought
acceptance through negative peers groups and substance use, progressing to increasingly selfdestructive
behaviors. They favored small school environments. The onset of substance abuse
paralleled secondary school years resulting in academic decline, and failure to complete high
school or post secondary education.
Recommendations: Teachers may benefit from professional development on the emotional
needs of all students using district resources to support programs at the elementary, middle
school, and high school. Districts should collaborate and pool resources to provide services such
as alternative programs. Importantly, individuals and families must have knowledge of and
access to support available through programs that assist with family and parenting dysfunction,
development of coping mechanisms, and early identification and treatment for substance abuse