Variational Ensemble Kalman Filtering in Hydrology

The current thesis manuscript studies the suitability of a recent data assimilation method, the Variational Ensemble Kalman Filter (VEnKF), to real-life fluid dynamic problems in hydrology. VEnKF combines a variational formulation of the data assimilation problem based on minimizing an energy functional with an Ensemble Kalman filter approximation to the Hessian matrix that also serves as an approximation to the inverse of the error covariance matrix. One of the significant features of VEnKF is the very frequent re-sampling of the ensemble: resampling is done at every observation step. This unusual feature is further exacerbated by observation interpolation that is seen beneficial for numerical stability. In this case the ensemble is resampled every time step of the numerical model. VEnKF is implemented in several configurations to data from a real laboratory-scale dam break problem modelled with the shallow water equations. It is also tried in a two-layer Quasi- Geostrophic atmospheric flow problem. In both cases VEnKF proves to be an efficient and accurate data assimilation method that renders the analysis more realistic than the numerical model alone. It also proves to be robust against filter instability by its adaptive nature.

A hipótese do crescimento rápido: novos argumentos

The hypothesis of fast growth. New arguments. After the 1981-2003 quasi-stagnation, the Brazilian economy signals that it is back to fast growth. The aborted growth spurts in this period accumulated an expansion potential that is now emerging. The growth frustration was particularly significant in the case of the growth surge beginning in 1999, as an outcome of the large 1999 depreciation of the real and the substantial 1990s increase of productivity. Now this repressed growth is being spontaneously liberated. It may be additionally liberated by adequate economic policies. Improvements in macroeconomic policy and the implementation of mini micro reforms are consistent with this incremental approach.

Nursing students and older people nursing. Towards a future career

The purpose of this two-phased study is to examine the interest of nursing students in choosing a career in older people nursing. First, the scoping phase explores the different premises for choosing older people nursing as a career. Second, the evaluation phase investigates the outcomes of the developed educational intervention involving older people as promoters of choosing a career in older people nursing, factors related to these outcomes, and experiences with educational intervention. The ultimate goal is to encourage more nursing students to choose older people nursing as their career. The scoping phase applies an exploratory design and centres around a descriptive, cross-sectional survey, documentary research and a scoping literature review. The information sources for this phase include 183 nursing students, 101 newspaper articles and 66 research articles. The evaluation phase applies a quasi-experimental design and a pre-post-test design with a non-equivalent comparison group and a post-intervention survey. The information sources for this phase include 87 nursing students and 43 older people. In both phases, statistical and narrative methods are applied in the data analysis. Nursing students neutrally regarded the idea of a career in older people nursing. The most consistent factors related to the nursing students’ career plans in older people nursing were found to be nursing work experience and various educational preparations in the field. Nursing students in the intervention group (n=40) were more interested in older people nursing and had more positive attitudes towards older people than did students in the comparison group (n=36). However, in both groups, the interest that students had at the baseline was associated with the interest at the one-month follow-up. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the students’ knowledge levels about ageing. The nursing students and older people alike highly appreciated participating in the educational intervention. It seems possible to positively impact nursing students and their choices to pursue careers in older people nursing, at least in the short-term. The involvement of older people as promoters of this career choice provides one encouraging alternative for impacting students’ career choices, but additional research is needed.

« Recueil de toutes sortes de pieces differentes, tant vieilles que nouvelles, en prose et en vers », le tout écrit de la main de « Philippe Harduyn de Saint Jacques », médecin.

Contient : 1 « Nomina corum omnium, quae in HIERONYMI libro de scriptoribus ecclesiasticis continentur », extraits ; 2 « GENNADIUS in virorum illustrium catalogo. Cyrus, genere Alexandrinus, arte medicus et ex philosopho monachus, vir dicendi peritus, scripsit adversus Nestorem,... ». En latin ; 3 « De medicis ». En latin ; 4 Notice sur « sainte Collette », religieuse et réformatrice de l'ordre de Sainte-Claire. « Environ l'an 1435 vivoit une femme sainte et devote... » ; 5 « Satyra in questiones quodlibeticas F. Garassii, jussu et auctoritate supremi senatus laceratas et combustas, 17 januarii 1626 » ; 6 « Scotinographie de PIERRES DE VERIGNY » ; 7 « Extraict du tome second de l'Affrique, titre des licornes que l'on trouve à l'environ de Mecca, etc. Du costé du temple y a une grande cour fermée de murailles, où nous veismes deux licorne[s] ... » ; 8 Note concernant Antonin et Sévère. Tirée d'Hérodien ; 9 Quatre vers latins sur Hippocrate et Apelle ; 10 Traduction en quatre vers grecs des vers latins ci-dessus indiqués. Au-dessous on lit, comme nom d'auteur : « M. WEYMS, Flamand » ; 11 « Harengue prononcée par Mr le premier president DE VERDUN devant le roy [Louis XIII] au pallais, le mardy 18 fevrier 1620, en presence de M. de Luines » ; 12 « Versus quos papa misit imperatori cum uno agnus Dei, et hoc pro munere magno ; 13 « Autres vers » ; 14 « Que S. Pierre n'a point esté à Rome, disent les heretiques ». Discussion de cette proposition ; 15 Vers « à l'honneur de la Vierge » (fol. 6) ; 16 « L'adjuration et demandes du catholique à Mrs les cardinaux, prelats, confesseurs et ausmoniers du roy, devant et apres le cruel massacre de Mrs le duc et le cardinal de Guise freres, et le tout à la face des estats, à Blois, du XXIIIe et XXIIIIe decembre 1588 » ; 17 « Pour sçavoir l'an de bissexte, le nombre d'or, l'epacte et le jour de la nouvelle lune », note ; 18 « Extraict du traicté de paix entre le roy et l'empereur, à Cambray (1529), par lequel appert qu'il n'y a pas d'aubins d'un costé ny d'aultre » ; 19 Notices sur « Edouard, roy d'Angleterre... Robert, surnommé Courbecuisse,... Guillaume le Bastard, roy d'Angleterre... Guillaume, surnommé le Roux,... Robert, duc de Normandie... Guillaume le Roux, roy d'Angleterre... Henry,... roy d'Angleterre... Mathilde, fille du roy Henry d'Angleterre... Henry d'Angleterre » ; 20 « De Jesabelis anglicae parricidiis ad piae reginae Mariae Stuardae manes carmen » ; 21 « Sonnet » contre la reine Élisabeth d'Angleterre ; 22 « Ad praeceptorem doctissimum dominum Sanjacobaeum epigramma » ; 23 « Ad suum praeceptorem ANT. SCIPIO DE JOYEUSE flebile carmen » ; 24 « Epigramma » ; 25 « Ad charissimum et apprime eruditum praeceptorem HENRICI DE JOYEUSE carmen flebile » ; 26 « Ad eundem epigramma » ; 27 « Elegia » ; 28 « Ad praeceptorem observandissimum GEORGII GAUDIOSANI flebile carmen » ; 29 « In clarissimi domini Sanjacobaei Harduini, doctoris medici, nuptiarum solennia epithalamium » ; 30 « Epithalame ou chant nuptial sur le mariage de noble homme Me Philippe Harduyn de S. Jacques, docteur en medecine, et dame Catherine Gervais, son espouse... mariez à Paris, le 13 janvier 1587, pièce en vers ; 31 « Ad convivas » ; 32 « Clarissimo spectatissimoque viro domino a Sancto Jacobo S. D. PETRUS DICUNOWART » ; 33 « Sonnet » ; 34 « Responce de la noblesse aux harangues des lieutenans deputez du tiers estat » ; 35 « Quatrain » ; 36 « Sixain » ; 37 « Autre » sixain ; 38 « Epigramma » ; 39 « Huictain » ; 40 « Quatrain » ; 41 « Huictain » ; 42 « Autre quatrain » ; 43 « Vents ordinaires au pays de Congo » ; 44 « Le royaume de Monomotapa », note ; 45 « Nom du Prete-Jan », note ; 46 « Prophetie d'un jacobin, traduite en françois, tirée et extraite d'un livre fort ancien, escript à la main, en langue flamande » ; 47 « Pour la statue du roy Henry le Grand, qui est sur le Pont Neuf » ; 48 « Pour le pont », vers latins ; 49 « Vita sanctae Odiliae » ; 50 « Vers chronographe sur la mort de Barnevelt » ; 51 « Autres vers » en latin, « faict[s] sur le synode tenu à Dordrecht, l'an 1619 ; 52 « Devise de la reine mere Catherine de Medicis, apres la mort de son mary, le roy Henry II ; 53 Citation extraite de « GERARDUS DORN, in epistola dedicatoria », placée en tête de l'ouvrage de Paracelse qui a pour titre : « Aurora, sive thesaurus philosophorum ». En latin ; 54 « IAMBLICHUS de mysteriis, statim initio, ex Marsilii Ficini versione. Mercurius praeest sapientiae et eloquio... ». En latin ; 55 « Epigramme faict sur la mort de Mr de Luynes, connestable de France, qui est mort de la peste devant Monheurt, soubz le nom de Sabinus » ; 56 « Plaintes de l'espée de Mr le connestable de Luynes » ; 57 « Sur le Te Deum chanté pour la prise de Montheur (sic) et la mort du connestable, epigramme » ; 58 « Autre sur la mesme mort » ; 59 « Autre » ; 60 « Autre » ; 61 « Tombeau du connestable, 1622 » ; 62 « Sur la vanité de Monsigot, secretaire du connestable, epigramme » ; 63 « Sur sa calotte » ; 64 « Sur sa retraicte de la chambre des comptes » ; 65 « Imperatoris Caroli V elogium, inscriptum velis navis Victoriae, quae rotis imposita et equis tracta, pompam illius funebrem Bruxellis, anno 1558, decoravit, et quotannis, dominica sexta post Pascha, circumducitur in encoeniis ejusdem urbis bruxellensis ». En latin ; 66 « Ejusdem triumphi ordine recensiti ». En latin ; 67 « Ad columnas Herculis » ; 68 « Serenissimi Alberti austriaci, Belgarum principis, cenotaphium ». En latin ; 69 « De Elisabeth, regina Angliae, epigramma ». En latin ; 70 « Aliud, de Roma ». En latin ; 71 « Sur la mort du mareschal d'Ancre » ; 72 « Summission de ceux de la religion pretendue reformée au roy de France et de Navarre Louis XIIIe, dict le Juste, entrant dedans la ville de Montpellier, M.DC.XXII », discours ; 73 « Prophetia S. MALACHIAE, archiepiscopi... ardinacensis... de summis pontificibus » ; 74 « Prophetiae LEONIS, sapientissimi imperatoris, inventae Romae in Vaticana bibliotheca » ; 75 « Apologie pour la Compagnie de Jesus, extraite de la predication du R. P. et docteur F. PIERRE DOZA, religieux de l'ordre S. Dominique, prononcée en l'eglise de la maison professe de la Compagnie de Jesus, en la cité de Valence, le 26 janvier de l'an 1610, pour la beatification du glorieux pere Ignace de Loyola, fondateur de la mesme compagnie; traduite par le Père FRANÇOIS SOLIER, religieux de la Compagnie de Jesus. Imprimé à Poitiers par Antoine Mesnier, imprimeur et libraire ordinaire du roy en l'Université, 1611 » ; 76 « Les muses lanternieres, par LAMY » ; 77 « Epigramme sur le mesme sujet » ; 78 « Sixain » ; 79 Épigramme ; 80 « Autre » ; 81 « Sur la journée du mariage de Madame, soeur du roy, avec le roy d'Angleterre, qu'il pleut tout le jour, l'an 1625 » ; 82 Vers latins ; 83 « Sur l'arrivée du cardinal Barberin, legat en France, l'an 1625 » ; 84 « Le marchand de soye de Paris » ; 85 « Autre pour le mesme marchand » ; 86 « Epitaphe de M. Servin, advocat general du parlement de Paris, et du R. P. Cotton, decedez quasi en mesme temps, en mars de l'an 1626 » ; 87 Vers sur Lucrèce ; 88 « La solitude » ; 89 « La berne » ; 90 « La pluye » ; 91 « Satyre » ; 92 « Hymne du fromage » ; 93 « Voeu à Bacchus » ; 94 Vers ; 95 « La Nuict » ; 96 Vers ; 97 Suite de notes historiques ; Note ; Note sur le partage de 842 et l'origine du nom de Lorraine ; Note sur Baudouin Bras de Fer, comte de Flandre ; Date de l'entrée à Paris de Philippe, archiduc d'Autriche ; Note sur le mariage de Marguerite, soeur de Philippe, archiduc d'Autriche ; Note concernant les papes Alexandre VI, Pie III, Jules II, Leon X ; Note concernant Isabelle, reine d'Espagne, morte en 1506, le mariage du roi d'Espagne Ferdinand, avec la soeur du comte de Foix, la mort dudit roi, en 1515, et celle de Philippe, archiduc d'Autriche, en 1506 ; Note concernant le mariage du roi François Ier et de Claude de France, fille de Louis XII, et celui du roi Louis XII avec Marie, soeur du roi d'Angleterre, Henri VIII ; Note sur le mariage de la veuve du roi Louis XII avec le duc de Suffolk ; Note sur l'origine des derniers ducs de Bourgogne ; Naissances de Louis, duc d'Orléans, et de Jean, duc de Bourgogne ; Mariage de Jean, comte de Nevers, fils de Philippe le Hardi, duc de Bourgogne, avec Marguerite, fille du comte de Hainaut ; Mort de Louis de Masle, comte de Flandre ; Mort de Charles le Mauvais, roi de Navarre ; Notes concernant le titre de Filles de France, les armoiries des princes du sang de France, les reines regentes, le lieu du sacre de plusieurs reines de France ; Notes sur les épithètes dont on accompagne les noms de certaines familles nobles ; Ce que c'est que le « praeteur praetorian » ; Note sur l'origine des Fran çais, la signification de certains noms francs, les pénalités de la loi salique ; Note sur l'antiquité du titre de roi tres chrétien, donné au roi de France ; Que les rois de France sont souverains et indépendants ; Que le titre de reine donne aux femmes quelque chose « de plus auguste que ce que leur sexe ne leur octroye » ; 98 « Voyage de Mr PHILIPPES HARDUIN DE S. JAQUES, pour lors medecin ordinaire des bandes françoises de l'Estat et couronne de France » ; 99 Note concernant la maison de Bourbon ; a « Source de la maison de Bourbon », d'après OLIVIER DE LA MARCHE ; b « Pourquoi la maison de Bourbon quereloit la couronne de France contre la maison de Valois » ; c Tableau généalogique de la descendance de S. Louis ; 100 « Epitaphe de Santarelli et autres de sa cabale » ; 101 « Extraict d'ANTONIUS SANCTARELLUS, de haeresi, schismate, apostasia et sollicitatione in sacramento poenitentiae, et de auctoritate summi pontificis in his delictis puniendis » ; 102 ; 103 « Censura sacrae Facultatis theologiae parisiensis, lata in librum qui inscribitur ANTONII SANCTARELLI e societate Jesu tractatus de haeresi, schismate, apostasia, sollicitatione in sacramento poenitentiae, et de potestate summi pontificis in his delictis puniendis... » ; 104 « Ex libello cui titulus : G. G. R., theologi, ad Ludovicum XIII, Galliae et Navarrae regem Christianissimum, admonitio », extrait ; 105 « Arrest de la cour de parlement, prononcé contre les PP. du college de Clairmont, le 17 mars 1626. Extraict des registres de la cour de parlement » ; 106 « Soubscription des PP. jesuites » ; 107 « Questiones quodlibeticae huic tempori accomodatae, disputandae in antiqua Sorbona parisiensi, mense decembri, diebus saturnalitiis, et dedicatae illustrissimo S. R. E. cardinali de Richelieu, sive de Rupella, negotiorum status in regno Galliae supremo praefecto, anno Domini M. DC. XXV, 13 decemb. mane » ; 108 « Inscrizione dell' arco trionfale di Verua », inscription en latin ; 109 « Ex libello cui titulus : Veritas odiosa, fragmenta varia colloquii Machiavelli et Mercurii, 1626. Ex schedis M. S. RICHARDI ATTONITI, eboracensis, protocancellarii nuper classis anglicancae. Oxonii, apud Gualtherum Mapes, Academiae bidellum » ; 110 « Catalogus librorum mystico-politorum (sic) qui autumnalibus nundinis francofordiensibus anni 1626 in lucem prodibunt » ; 111 « Ex libello cui titulus : Jubilus con foederatorum, alias Nova novorum, in quibus magnae victoriae et laeti terra marique progressus anni 1625 continentur, ad nobilem historicum D. Ferrerium gallum Nemausensium Reipubl. apud christianissimum regem Ludovicum XIII oratorem, editio ultima, ab authore recognita et emendata, M.DC.XXVI » ; 112 « Appendix ad catalogum librorum mystico-politicorum qui proximis nundinis francfurtensibus prodibunt » ; 113 Vers latins, composés à propos de la tentative des jésuites, qui avaient essayé de substituer dans l'almanach la fête de S. Ignace de Loyola à celle de S. Germain, qui se célébrait le 31 juillet ; 114 « Bibliotheca mystica clarissimi viri Ludovici Servini, sex aliis longe ditioribus scilicet Arnaldi, Paschasii, Martyllerii, Hardivillerii, Turgotii et Tarini, in antecessum praemissa... 1626 » ; 115 « Contract de mariage de Henry IV,... roy de France et de Navarre, avec Marguerite de Valois ». 17 août 1572 ; 116-117 Contrats de mariage de Louis XIII avec Anne d'Autriche, et du prince d'Espagne, don Philippe, avec Élisabeth de France. 1612 ; 118 Contrat de mariage de Henri d'Orléans, duc de Longueville, avec Louise de Bourbon. Paris, 5 mars 1617 ; 119 Mémoire « pour l'accompagnement et voyage de Madame jusques à la frontiere, et de la reyne, revenant de lad. frontiere jusques à Bordeaux » ; 120 Mémoire intitulé : « L'homme d'Estat françois vrayment catholique », dédié au roi Louis XIII « par le Sr DE CHIREMONT » ; 121 « Instruction de M. de Schomberg, comte de Nanteuil, conseiller du roy en son conseil d'Estat, lieutenant general de S. M. es pays de Lymosin, haute et basse Marche, pour son voyage d'Allemagne » ; 122 « Cronique de S. Clou » ; 123 « Lettre de Cloris à Lysis » ; 124 « Reponse de Lysis à Cloris » ; 125 « La mouche et le courtisan »

Collaborative learning in a Japanese as a foreign language classroom /

This study examined the influence of training on Asian learners' beliefs, interaction, and attitudes during collaborative learning (CL) and explored the processes of their CL in pairs. The literature contains few studies on the effect of collaborative training in language learning. In addition, it shows gaps between SLA theory and practice resulting from learners' cultural differences. Although second/subsequent language acquisition (SLA) theory assumes that CL contributes to language learning, implementing CL in a multicultural classroom is often considered to be unsuccessful by teachers. The research questions designed to address this gap explore: (a) the extent to which tra~ng affects Asian learners' attitudes towards and interaction during CL; (b) how Asian learners accomplish collaborative tasks in pairs. In the quasi-experimental research design, the learners in the treatment group received special training in CL for 5 weeks while the learners in the comparison group did not receive similar training. Data were collected from 45 McMaster University students through pre- and posttests, pre- and postintervention questionnaires, student information, and informal classroom observations. To detennine the influence of training, the frequency of communication units (c-units), Language Related Episodes (LREs), Collaborative Dialogue (CD) from audio-taped data, and the fmal draft scores were compared between pre- and posttests. The learners' pre- and postintervention questionnaires were also compared. Transcripts from audio-taped data, students' information, their responses and comments from questionnaires, and informal observations served to investigate the processes of Asian learners' CL. Overall, this study found that training had significant influence on the frequency of c-units and CD, and considerable impact on the draft scores, although little influence on the frequency of LREs was observed. The results from the questionnaires in the treatment group showed positive changes in the learners' beliefs on pair work after training. On the other hand, analyses of the transcription data showed that the learners did not conduct enough discussion for a resolution of problems with peers. In conclusion, results suggested the need for teacher intervention, a longer period of collaborative training, and an implementation of self-evaluation into the course grade to encourage the learners to succeed in collaborative learning.

Far infrared reflectance and optical properties of organic superconductor (TMTSF)2ClO4 /

Polarized reflectance measurements of the quasi I-D charge-transfer salt (TMTSFh CI04 were carried out using a Martin-Puplett-type polarizing interferometer and a 3He refrigerator cryostat, at several temperatures between 0.45 K and 26 K, in the far infrared, in the 10 to 70 cm- 1 frequency range. Bis-tetramethyl-tetraselena-fulvalene perchlorate crystals, grown electrochemically and supplied by K. Behnia, of dimensions 2 to 4 by 0.4 by 0.2 mm, were assembled on a flat surface to form a mosaic of 1.5 by 3 mm. The needle shaped crystals were positioned parallel to each other along their long axis, which is the stacking direction of the planar TMTSF cations, exposing the ab plane face (parallel to which the sheets of CI04 anions are positioned). Reflectance measurements were performed with radiation polarized along the stacking direction in the sample. Measurements were carried out following either a fast (15-20 K per minute) or slow (0.1 K per minute) cooling of the sample. Slow cooling permits the anions to order near 24 K, and the sample is expected to be superconducting below 1.2 K, while fast cooling yields an insulating state at low temperatures. Upon the slow cooling the reflectance shows dependence with temperature and exhibits the 28 cm- 1 feature reported previously [1]. Thermoreflectance for both the 'slow' and 'fast' cooling of the sample calculated relative to the 26 K reflectance data indicates that the reflectance is temperature dependent, for the slow cooling case only. A low frequency edge in the absolute reflectance is assigned an electronic origin given its strong temperature dependence in the relaxed state. We attribute the peak in the absolute reflectance near 30 cm-1 to a phonon coupled to the electronic background. Both the low frequency edge and the 30 cm-1 feature are noted te shift towards higher frequcncy, upon cntering the superconducting state, by an amount of the order of the expected superconducting energy gap. Kramers-Kronig analysis was carried out to determine the optical conductivity for the slowly cooled sample from the measured reflectance. In order to do so the low frequency data was extrapolated to zero frequency using a Hagen-Ru bens behaviour, and the high frequency data was extended with the data of Cao et al. [2], and Kikuchi et al. [3]. The real part of the optical conductivity exhibits an asymmetric peak at 35 cm-1, and its background at lower frequencies seems to be losing spectral weight with lowering of the temperature, leading us to presume that a narrow peak is forming at even lower frequencies.

Learning to be literate : parental empowerment in early literacy interventions

Considerable research has focused on the success of early intervention programs for children. However, minimal research has focused on the effect these programs have on the parents of targeted children. Many current early intervention programs champion family-focused and inclusive programming, but few have evaluated parent participation in early interventions and fewer still have evaluated the impact of these programs on beliefs and attitudes and parenting practices. Since parents will continue to play a key role in their child's developmental course long after early intervention programs end, it is vital to examine whether these programs empower parents to take action to make changes in the lives of their children. The goal of this study was to understand parental influences on the early development of literacy, and in particular how parental attitudes, beliefs and self efficacy impact parent and child engagement in early literacy intervention activities. A mixed method procedure using quantitative and qualitative strategies was employed. A quasi-experimental research design was used. The research sample, sixty parents who were part of naturally occurring community interventions in at- risk neighbourhoods in a south-western Ontario city participated in the quantitative phase. Largely individuals whose home language was other than English, these participants were divided amongst three early literacy intervention groups, a Prescriptive Interventionist type group, a Participatory Empowering type group and a drop-in parent- child neighbourhood Control group. Measures completed pre and post a six session literacy intervention, on all three literacy and evidence of change in parental empowerment. Parents in all three groups, on average, held beliefs about early literacy that were positive and that were compatible with current approaches to language development and emergent literacy. No significant change in early literacy beliefs and attitudes for pre to post intervention was found. Similarly, there was no significant difference between groups on empowerment scores, but there was a significant change post intervention in one group's empowerment score. There was a drop in the empowerment score for the Prescriptive Interventionist type group, suggesting a drop in empowerment level. The qualitative aspect of this study involved six in-depth interviews completed with a sub-set of the sixty research participants. Four similar themes emerged across the groups: learning takes place across time and place; participation is key; success is achieved by taking small steps; and learning occurs in multiple ways. The research findings have important implications for practitioners and policy makers who target at risk populations with early intervention programming and wish to sustain parental empowerment. Study results show the value parents place on early learning and point to the importance of including parents in the development and delivery of early intervention programs. groups, were analyzed for evidence of change in parental attitudes and beliefs about early literacy and evidence of change in parental empowerment. Parents in all three groups, on average, held beliefs about early literacy that were positive and that were compatible with current approaches to language development and emergent literacy. No significant change in early literacy beliefs and attitudes for pre to post intervention was found. Similarly, there was no significant difference between groups on empowerment scores, but there was a significant change post intervention in one group's empowerment score. There was a drop in the empowerment score for the Prescriptive Interventionist type group, suggesting a drop in empowerment level. The qualitative aspect of this study involved six in-depth interviews completed with a sub-set of the sixty research participants. Four similar themes emerged across the groups: learning takes place across time and place; participation is key; success is achieved by taking small steps; and learning occurs in multiple ways. The research findings have important implications for practitioners and policy makers who target at risk populations with early intervention programming and wish to sustain parental empowerment. Study results show the value parents place on early learning and point to the importance of including parents in the development and delivery of early intervention programs.

Optical properties of organic superconductor K-(BETS)2FeBr4 /

K-(BETS)2FeBr4 is a quasi-2D charge transfer organic metal with interesting electronic and magnetic properties. It undergoes a transition to an antiferromagnetic (AF) state at ambient pressure at the Neel temperature (T^^) = 2.5 K, as well as to a superconducting (SC) state at 1.1 K [1]. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity shows a small decrease at T;v indicating the resistivity drops as a result of the onset of the ordering of Fe'*''" spins. A sharp drop in the resistivity at 1.1 K is due to its superconducting transition. The temperature dependence of the susceptibility indicates an antiferromagnetic spin structure with the easy axis parallel to the a-axis. The specific heat at zero-field shows a large peak at about 2.4 K, which corresponds to the antiferromagnetic transition temperature (Tat) and no anomaly is observed around the superconducting transition temperature (1.1 K) demonstrating that the magnetically ordered state is not destroyed by the appearance of another phase transition (the superconducting transition) in the 7r-electron layers [1], [2]. This work presents an investigation of how the low frequency electromagnetic response is affected by the antiferromagnetic and superconducting states, as well as the onset of strong correlation. The location of the easy axis of three samples was determined and polarized thermal reflectance measurements of these «-(BETS)2FeBr4 samples oriented with their vertical axis along the a- and c axes were then carried out using a *He refrigerator cryostat and a Martin-Puplett type polarizing interferometer at various temperatures (T = 0.5 K, 1.4 K. 1.9 K, 2.8 K) above and below the superconducting state and/or antiferromagnetic state. Comparison of the SC state to the normal state along the o- and c-axes indicates a rising thermal reflectance at low frequencies (below 10 cm"' ) which may be a manifestation of the superconducting energy gap. A dip-Hke feature is detected at low frequencies (below 15 cm"') in the thermal reflectance plots which probe the antiferromagnetic state along the two axes, and may be due to the opening of a gap in the excitation spectrum as a result of the antiferromagnetism. In another set of experiments, thermal reflectance measurements carried out along the a- and c-axes at higher temperatures (10 K-80 K) show that the reflectivity decreases with increasing temperature to 60 K (the coherence temperature) above which it increases again. Comparison of the thermal reflectance plots along the a- and c-axes at higher temperatures reveals an anisotropy between these two axes. The Hagen-Rubens thermal reflectance plots corresponding to an average over the ac-plane were calculated using experimental hterature resistivity values. Comparison of the Hagen-Rubens plots with the experimental thermal reflectance along the a- and c-axes indicates that both exhibit the general trend of a decrease in thermal reflectance with increasing frequency, however the calculated Hagen-Rubens thermal reflectance at different temperatures is much lower than the experimental curves.

On the formulation and the calculation of the harmonic contributions to the Debye-Waller factor in metals (sodium)

The algebraic expressions for the anharmonic contributions to the Debye-Waller factor up to 0(A ) and 0 L% ) £ where ^ is the scattering wave-vector] have been derived in a form suitable for cubic metals with small ion cores where the interatomic potential extends to many neighbours. This has been achieved in terms of various wave-vector dependent tensors, following the work of Shukla and Taylor (1974) on the cubic anharmonic Helmholtz free energy. The contribution to the various wave-vector dependent tensors from the coulomb and the electron-ion terms in the interatomic metallic potential has been obtained by the Ewald procedure. All the restricted multiple whole B r i l l o u i n zone (B.Z.) sums are reduced to single whole B.Z. sums by using the plane wave representation of the delta function. These single whole B.Z. sums are further reduced to the •%?? portion of the B.Z. following Shukla and Wilk (1974) and Shukla and Taylor (1974). Numerical calculations have been performed for sodium where the Born-Mayer term in the interatomic potential has been neglected because i t is small £ Vosko (1964)3 • *n o^er to compare our calculated results with the experimental results of Dawton (1937), we have also calculated the r a t io of the intensities at different temperatures for the lowest five reflections (110), (200), (220), (310) and (400) . Our calculated quasi-harmonic results agree reasonably well with the experimental results at temperatures (T) of the order of the Debye temperature ( 0 ). For T » © ^ 9 our calculated anharmonic results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.The anomalous terms in the Debye-Waller factor are found not to be negligible for certain reflections even for T ^ ©^ . At temperature T yy Op 9 where the temperature is of the order of the melting temperature (Xm) » "the anomalous terms are found to be important almost for all the f i ve reflections.

Pressure dependence of spin fluctuations in metallic glasses Zrâ â Niâ â ,Zrâ â (Nix/Feâ â â -x)â â and /Zrx/feâ â â -x

The superconducting transition temperature Tc of metallic glasses ZrxFelOO-x (x=80, 75), Zr75(NixFelOO-x)25 (x=75, 50, 25), and CU2SZr75 were measured under quasi-hydrostatic pressure up to 8 OPa (80kbar). The volume (pressure) dependence of the electron-phonon coupling parameters Aep for CU25Zr75 was calculated using the McMillan equatio11. Using this volume dependence of Aep and the modified McMillan equation which incorporates spin-fluctuations, the volume dependence of the spin fluctuation parameter, Asf, was determined in Zr75Ni25, ZrxFelOO-x , a11d Zr75(NixFelOO-x)25. It was found that with increasing pressure, spinfluctuations are suppressed at a faster rate in ZrxFe lOO-x and Zr75(NixFelOO-x)25, as Fe concentration is increased. The rate of suppression of spin-fluctuations with pressure was also found to be higher in Fe-Zr glasses than in Ni-Zr glasses of similar composition.

The evaluation of a predialysis class on client knowledge and attitude toward compliant behaviours

In this quasi-experimental study, the theory of reasoned action was used as a conceptual framework to assess the outcome effect of a predialysis class. A pretest, posttest design was used to determine changes in client knowledge about their condition and its treatment, and their intention, attitudes and social norm towards compliant behaviours. The related compliant behaviours were following a low-salt diet and taking medications as proscribed. Thirty-eight End Stage Renal Diseases (ESRD) clients were self-selected into the treatment or control groups. Both groups received the standard predialysis education from members of the multidisciplinary renal team. In addition, the treatment group also attended the predialysis class. Subjects' health locus of control, anxiety and demographic variables were measured as possible extraneous variables. Study subjects from both groups demonstrated a high internal and powerful others health locus of control and a normal range of anxiety. Although not statistically significant ill = .64), the experimental group demonstrated higher knowledge level and greater intention to follow a low salt diet UL= .73). They developed more significantly positive attitudes towards following a low salt diet and increased subjective norm influence after attending the predialysis class. Attending the predialysis class did not have an effect on subjects' intentions, attitudes or subjective norm towards taking medications as prescribed. Conclusion: The predialysis class was only marginally effective in increasing client knowledge, but influenced clients' attitudes towards following a low-salt diet. Based on the results, recommendations for improvements to the class have been suggested.

Supporting fathering through infant massage

Developing a strong relationship is essential for optimal child development and it is possible for fathers to fully participate in developing this close bond. Men often develop this relationship through interactive play which usually occurs later in their child's development. As a result, fathers often feel dissatisfied with their ability to form a close attachment in the early post-partum period, which in turn may increase their stress level. However, men can be prepared for the transition to fatherhood if they develop the knowledge and skill necessary to create positive relationships with their infants. Infant massage appears to be a viable option for teaching fathers care-giving sensitivity. To build on the notion of teaching fathers attachment system behaviour in early infancy, a quasi-experimental, mixed methods study was employed. Twenty-four infant-father dyads were recruited for the study. The fathers were asked to fill out the Parent Stress Index and a facial cues rating scale at two times, one month apart. The experimental group also participated in an infant massage intervention taught by a Certified Infant Massage Instructor of the International Association of Infant Massage. A repeated measures MANOVA revealed infant massage decreased paternal stress. Qualitatively, the fathers provided rich descriptions of their experience in the baby massage class which provided useful insight into the efficacy of the intervention. Overall, the fathers enjoyed the experience but did not necessarily see the direct benefit of the intervention on their relationship. Recommendations for pre and postnatal education for fathers are made.

Liquidity, institutional ownership and regulation fair disclosure

There is a body of academic literature addressing two issues of importance for leveling the playing field for all classes of investors: 1) the impact of institutional investors on liquidity; and 2) the impact of Regulation Fair Disclosure on institutional investors and liquidity. Our study addresses both issues with the purpose of attaining a better understanding and explanation of this relationship. We classify institutional ownership according to Bushee's (1998, 2001) methodology; transient institutions, dedicated institutions and quasi-indexers. Our results indicate that while transient institutions and quasi-indexers have a positive impact on liquidity, dedicated institutional ownership is negatively associated with liquidity. This result is consistent with prior theoretical studies. We also find that the effectiveness ofthe Regulation Fair Disclosure in improving liquidity is limited to firms with higher transient institutional ownership, whereas quasi-indexed institutions have not been significantly affected by the regulations. In fact, the liquidity of firms is lower for firms with higher dedicated institutional holdings, which is evidence of the "chilling effect".

Crystal Growth and Characterization of Li0.9Mo6O17

Purple bronze Li0.9Mo6O17 has attracted researchers for its low dimensionality and corresponding properties. Although it has been studied for nearly two decades, there are still some unsolved puzzles with this unique material. Single crystals of Li0.9Mo6O17 were grown using the temperature gradient flux technique in this research. The crystal growth was optimized by experimenting different conditions and good quality crystals were obtained. X-ray diffraction results have confirmed the right phase of the crystals. Resistivity measurements and magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out, and anomalous electronic behaviors were found. All of the samples showed the metal-insulator transition near 20K, followed by behavior that differs from sample to sample: either superconducting, metallic or insulating behavior was observed below 2K. Li0.9Mo6O17 was considered as a quasi-one-dimensional crystal and also a superconducting crystal, which implies a dimensional crossover may occur at the metal-insulator transition. A two-band scenario of the Luttinger liquid model was used to fit the resistivity data and excellent results were achieved, suggesting that the Luttinger theory is a very good candidate for the explanation of the anomalous behavior of Li0.9Mo6O17. In addition, the susceptibility measurements showed Curie paramagnetism and some temperature independent paramagnetism at low temperature. The absence of any anomalous magnetic feature near 20K where the resistivity upturn takes place, suggests that a charge density wave mechanism, which has been proposed by some researchers, is not responsible for the unique properties of Li0.9Mo6O17.

Design of Resistivity Instrumentation for a He3 Cryostat and its Application to the Charge Density Wave Superconductor CuxTiSe2

Fermi patches in quasi-two dimensional charge density waves (CDW) have not described the connection to superconductivity (SC) according to theory adequately at this point in time. The connection between CDW and SC in the quasi-two dimensional material CuxTiSe2 is an interesting one which might reveal mechanisms in unconventional superconductors. A previous Brock graduate student grew crystals of CuxTiSe2. The precise doping of the samples was not known. In order to determine the doping parameter x in CuxTiSe2, a sensitive resistivity measurement system was necessary. A new resistivity measurement system was designed and implemented utilizing an Infrared Labs HDL-10 He3 cryostat. By comparing with data from the literature, doping of two samples was investigated using the new measurement system and a Quantum Design Magnetic Property Measurement System (MPMS). Methods for determining the doping revealed that the old resistivity system would not be able to determine the CDW transition temperature of highly doped samples or doping for elongated samples due to electronic noise. Doping in one sample was found to be between x=0.06 and x=0.065. Values of doping in the second sample had a discrepancy but could be explained by incorrect sample orientation.