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The enhanced access of developing countries to the international financial market since the seventies has been characterized by boom-bust cycles of unfettered external borrowing followed by abrupt financial crises. The first chapter analyzes the macroeconomic effects of volatile capital flows to a developing country. The analysis shows that investment, consumption, and the current account deficit depend positively on the expected availability of external finance. If international investors may unexpectedly decide to reduce their exposure to financial assets issued by the country, the optimal cost of external borrowing should exceed the interest rate paid by domestic residents in the international financial market. In the absence of insurance markets for this type of risk, a tax on capital inflows can be optimal.Recent endogenous growth models characterize a firm's technology as a commodity which is both partly excludable and associated with some production inputs, such as human capital and equipment. The second chapter explores the nature of the link between equipment investment and technology at the plant level in a large sample of Colombian manufacturing establishments. The results support the endogenous growth model's notion that technology is associated with the production inputs. Larger plants that invest more in machinery and equipment and employ higher levels of human capital tend to be more efficient.Models of investment with non-convex costs of adjustment predict that microeconomic time series of investment may be characterized by infrequent investment spurts and prolonged periods of little or no investment. In the third chapter I study the pattern of investment at the plant level in different categories of capital goods. As in the U.S., plant-level investment in Colombia is lumpy, and the probability of observing a large investment episode depends positively on the time elapsed since the latest large investment episode. As a contribution to the literature, I propose and implement two alternative econometric methods for the estimation of a simple model of irreversible investment. The results show that increases in the real exchange rate (pesos per dollar) have a consistently negative effect on investment, regardless of the type of capital good.

Diligent application of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach is believed by many to provide a comprehensive system for food safety management. This belief, however, is not shared uniformly by all stakeholders. Because of the dichotomy of opinion surrounding food safety, there is a compelling need for additional dialogue and consensus on this issue. The aim of this expert survey instrument is to identify the gaps and the areas of agreement among various stakeholders. Two hundred and thirty-one survey instruments were received out of three hundred and sixty sent (64.2% response rate) to food safety professionals in academia, industry, federal and state government, and consumer protection groups.

Unlike many other works in this area, this research is devoted to the micro issues of banking. There are many excellent texts that study the macroeconomics of banking, and the role of financial institutions in a monetary economy. This area [micro issues] of banking is important. Bank professionals require a thorough grounding in the micro foundations of banking, if they are to make important managerial decisions, or implement banking policies. What exactly will be the nature of the future of banking? These pages provide you with comprehensive insight into where banking is going.In order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject, this study begins by looking at the traditional theory of banking. A bank is a financial firm which offers loan and deposit products on the market. The intermediary role played by banks, another area of our interest, is the reason why banks exist in modern economies.The main objective of Chapter 2 is to provide an overview of bank structures and related issues in industrialised countries, developing economies and emerging markets in Eastern Europe. Chapter 2 also considers various stylised facts on contemporary banking. It reveals some large differences between countries in the way banks operate. It reviews various performance measures of banks, and considers the results of several investigations of bank performance.The remaining part of the research analyses modern trends of Global banking development. During the course of study the following trends were recognised as major and the most noteworthy ones: Consolidation, Globalisation, Development of Information Technology, Risk Management, Competition, The Euro, Regulation, Development in Asset Management.

Shape classification is a challenging image processing problem because shapes can occur in any position, at any orientation, and at any scale in an image. Shapes can also be obscured by gaps in their boundaries, occlusions, and noise. General shape classifiers often suffer from low precision, and specialized shape classifiers rely on specific features, like vertices or connected boundaries, making them difficult to generalize. The objective of this research is to design, implement, and test a general, high-precision two-dimensional shape classifier that is invariant to translation, scale, and rotation, as well as robust to gaps in the shape boundary, occlusions, and noise. To achieve this objective, the radial feature token (RFT) is implemented as the ALISA Shape Module, which learns to classify shapes in ALISA geometry maps derived from a supervised set of training images. These learned shapes are stored as a set of vectors that are then used to classify shapes in test images. Experiments have demonstrated that this method can learn to classify general shapes from small training sets, as well as effectively classify similar shapes independent of their position, scale, and orientation. The Shape Module is also robust to gaps in shape boundaries, occlusions, and noise. The Shape Module is also shown to outperform some established shape recognition techniques, such as the Generalized Hough Transform.

In middle schools today, teachers meet many challenges.The research question addressed in this dissertation was: What are the effects of instructional technology on motivation, attitudes and behavior of at-risk learners in the middle school general music classroom? The purpose of this study was to determine if the implementation of instructional technology, specifically digital piano keyboards and computers, in the middle school general music program would have a positive effect on the motivation, attitudes and behaviors of at-risk learners. To this end, a study was conducted in which at-risk learners received instruction delivered through a higher concentration of technology.Students completed a pretest and a posttest consisting of the Motivation Achievement Profile, audiation/listening and audiation/reading scales of Level One of the Iowa Tests of Music Literacy and the Middle School Music Attitude Scale. The experimental group received music instruction through a higher concentration of technology while the comparison group participated in an equally desirable music program.Data was analyzed using an analysis of covariance, in which the posttest mean of the experimental group was compared with the posttest mean of the comparison group with the pretest scores used as a covariate. Overall, no statistical significance was found; however, statistical significance was found on 2 of the 22 measures taken. Furthermore, there was a remarkable degree of consistency for the experimental group. Overall, consistency was seen with the experimental group scoring higher on 18 of the 22 measures indicating that perhaps if there had been more students a significant effect might have been seen. Nonetheless, the consistency leads to the conclusion that the treatment had some kind of effect. There is an implication that a positive, although not statistically significant effect on the motivation, attitudes and behaviors of at-risk learners occurred.

This thesis traces the historiography of antebellum reform from its origins in Gilbert Barnes's rebellion from the materialist reductionism of the Progressives to the end of the twentieth century. The focus is the ideas of the historians at the center of the historiography, not a summary of every work in the field. The works of Gilbert Barnes, Alice Felt Tyler, Whitney Cross, C. S. Griffin, Donald Mathews, Paul Johnson, Ronald Walters, George Thomas, Robert Abzug, Steven Mintz, and John Quist, among many others, are discussed. In particular, the thesis examines the social control interpretation and its transformation into social organization under more sympathetic historians in the 1970s. The author found the state of the historiography at century's end to be healthy with a promising future.

The revision of Origen's philosophical theology by St. Maximus the Confessor resulted in an eschatology involving the replacement of the human ego by the divine presence. In this study, I will examine the theological developments that led to this loss of a sense of human freedom and creativity in the face of the divine, tracing the influence of Origen's eschatology through the Cappadocian Fathers, Evagrius Ponticus and others, up to Maximus. This will allow me to show the manner in which Origen's humanistic theology was misunderstood and misinterpreted throughout the Patristic era, culminating in the anti-personalistic system of Maximus. Special attention will be paid to the development of Christian Neoplatonism, and how Christian contacts with the pagan philosophical schools came to have a profound effect on Eastern Patristic theology and philosophy. The final section of this study will suggest some ways in which the history of Patristic eschatology - especially Origen and Maximus - may serve as a fruitful source for contemporary theologians who are concerned with issues of personhood, creativity, and existential authenticity.

Chemistry is a human endeavor that relies on basic human qualities like creativity, insights, reasoning, and skills. It depends on habits of the mind: skepticism, tolerance of ambiguity, openness to new ideas, intellectual honesty, curiosity, and communication. Young female students begin studying chemistry curiosity; however, when unconvinced, they become skeptical. Researches focused on gender studies have indicated that attitudes toward science education differ between males and females. A declining interest in chemistry and the under representation of females in the chemical science was found (Jacobs, 2000).This study investigated whether self-confidence toward chemistry, the influence of role models, and knowledge about the usefulness of chemistry were affecting the attitudes toward chemistry, of 183 high school young females across the United States. The young female students surveyed, had studied chemistry for at least one year prior to participating in the study during the fall semester of 2003. The schools were randomly selected represented diverse economic backgrounds and geographical locations. Data were obtained using Chemistry Attitude Influencing Factors (CAIF) instrument and from interviews with a focus group of three young female students about the effect of self-confidence toward chemistry, the influence of role models, and knowledge about the usefulness of chemistry on their decision to study chemistry. The CAIF instrument consisted of a 12-items self-confidence questionnaire (ConfiS), 12-items each of the influence of role models (RoMoS) and knowledge about usefulness of chemistry (US) questionnaire. ConfiS was adopted (with permission) from CAEQ (Coll & Dalgety, 2001), and both RoMoS and US were modified from TOSRA (Fraser, 1978), public domain document.The three young female students interviewed, gave detailed responses about their opinions regarding self-confidence toward chemistry, the influence of role models, and knowledge about the usefulness of chemistry on their attitudes toward the study of chemistry.Both quantitative (a Likert-type Scale questionnaire) and qualitative (open-ended questions) items were used to investigate the views of young female students. Results of the survey were analysed using a correlation test. Significant differences were found in the Likert-type scale scores, providing evidences supporting literature that suggests, self-confidence toward chemistry, the influence of role models, and knowledge about the usefulness of chemistry affect the decision of young female students about the study of chemistry. Interview responses corroborated the results from the survey. Strategies for addressing the problems and recommendations for further studies have been suggested.

This study explored the relationships between the transformational leadership attributes of Human Resource (HR) executives and the Internet-based transformed HR services they provide. In general, this research addressed the question whether HR executives, who are more transformational in leader style, are more likely to be successful in transforming their respective HR services.Senior HR executives of Fortune 1000, Forbes 257 and other high performance organizations responded to an online survey regarding their relevant organizational roles, HR experience levels, Information Technology (IT) experience levels, education levels and their involvement levels during their Internet-based system implementations. The primary data came from their assessments of the impact of their Internet-based HR information systems and also self-reports of their individual leadership style using the MLQ-5X instrument. A total of 58 senior HR executives responded to the survey, representing an overall 4.8% response rate from the 1,219 prospective executives. Participating senior HR executives represented public, private and not-for-profit organizations in a variety of industries.

This study focused on factors that have positively influenced the model of economic success for commercial and thrift megabanks involved in merger and acquisition activities for the period 1990 - 1997, a period characterized by an unprecedented flurry of merger and acquisition activities among megabanks in the United States. This study identified and measured key independent variables for identifiable mergers and acquisitions among megabanks and tested the extent to which, such independent variables influenced abnormal returns for underlying equities traded in capital markets. This study also tested the hypothesis that megabanks are attracting significantly higher acquisition premiums than the relatively smaller banks.The data collected and the conclusions drawn were based on the logic of a hypothetico-deductive paradigm, which essentially utilized the techniques of the standard event study methodology, and included parameters of the conventional Capital Asset Pricing Model. This study was based on a scientifically determined sample of over 200 banks in the small bank category and between 68 and 86 banks grouped under the megabank category. The findings revealed that megebank acquirers realized negative abnormal returns and that megabank acquirees did not realize economic value significantly greater than acquirers for those banks that integrated on a merger-of-equals basis. The findings also showed that megabanks seemed more willing to pay higher premiums for the right to integrate with other megabanks vis-a-vis the right to integrate with small banks.

Individualized Education: Understanding in Light of the Introduction of the Progressive/Regressive Forming and Establishing Developmental Model, as a Human Right That Ultimately Promotes Higher Quality of Life Globally Through Local Practices is an interdisciplinary Ph. D. thesis that analyzes and discusses the importance, influences, and practicality of IEPs (Individualized Educational Programs) in global terms. Furthermore, this thesis statement introduces the Progressive/Regressive Forming and Establishing Developmental Model. This model is a theoretical tool for analyzing individuals in light of social expected norms and how synergy of collective individuals, families, and social organizations local through global positive and negative potential synergy. Using this model, IEPs can be best designed to help global development by ensuring individuals the right to be educated in ways that each individual finds meaningful. The research for this project was conducted by Gary Leroy Hoover over a six-year period while working with students in public and private institutions, private homes, and domestic and foreign corporations. The class size ranged from one on one to groups as large as sixty students, and the age range of students was from age three to over age sixty. While the main orientation of curriculum for students was ESL the main focus of the research was to incorporate ESL into the established life patterns and interests of each student. Furthermore, the program worked to determine the effectiveness of individualized programs that adapted to the desired study schedules of each student.

Terrorism was once a topic limited to certain sectors of the world, such as the Middle East or South Africa. However, in recent years, it appears that no one is safe in any part of the globe. A growing number of countries must take measures to protect citizens and visitors from the threat of terrorism. The Unites States of America is the latest addition to this list. It has become evident in recent years that terrorism is no longer a localized event, but rather an increasing global problem. It has also become obvious that terrorism requires a global solution as well. Evidence has been mounting that terrorist groups are beginning to connect and form alliances. This gives them greater strength and greater resources. It seems they are finding common ground and are beginning to coordinate efforts. This will be the topic of the proposed research. The research contained in this dissertation supports the formation of terrorist coalitions by examining extensive information contained in United States Department of State Annual Reports on Patterns of Global Terrorism. It examines the recent trend towards former single terrorist organizations forming alliances in order to conduct large-scale global acts of terrorism. The findings of this report support the thesis that terrorist groups indeed are cooperating for the purposes of a common cause. The interconnectivity of financing and the sharing of training grounds for these groups are examined in detail. Better communications technology has played a significant role in the formation of these groups and the abilities of these groups to conduct coordinated acts of terrorism against multiple nations.

Pub_AbstractText~: The impetus for this study was the need to gain a better understanding of what interaction activities in the virtual classroom affect student outcomes. The purpose was to determine which perceptions of interactions contributed to predicting student outcomes of satisfaction and future enrollment in Web-based courses, while controlling for student characteristics. The problem is that the interaction that occurs in the Web-based classroom is markedly different than what occurs in the traditional classroom setting. The study was a secondary analysis using data from 388 student evaluations of Web-based courses. Using Astin's Input-Environment-Outcome (I-E-O) conceptual framework, influences of student characteristics [inputs] and virtual classroom interactions [environment] on student outcomes were examined. Student input predictors were perceptions of computer skills; knowledge of electronic communications; number of Web-based courses taken; distance living from campus; and age. Environmental predictors included interactions with the instructor, students, technology, and perceptions of presence.

The effects of a communications protocol in a synchronous on-line chat environment on the satisfaction of students in a Web-based computer science course was studied. Two undergraduate faculty members who teach Web-based courses, and 42 students in four separate computer science courses participated in the study. Students completed a pretest that measured their prior experience, current attitudes, and expectations with regards to synchronous chats in a Web-based course. Two classes of students were introduced to a communications protocol by the instructors that was used throughout the course while in synchronous chat. The other two classes did not use a protocol. A posttest was administered to all students at the end of each course that measured student satisfaction with the synchronous chats held throughout the semester. A communications protocol, in the context of this investigation, is a set of rules or guidelines that are adhered to by all participants while engaged in a synchronous electronic discussion. This study answered the question: What effect does a communications protocol in a synchronous on-line chat environment have on the satisfaction of students in a Web-based computer science course? The study showed that the use of a communications protocol in on-line synchronous chats had no effect on student satisfaction with Web-based courses.