Using qualitative research approach derived from the frameworks of Di Primio (1988), Colllins (2001), Fullan (2006), the researcher interviewed nine active principals in Cook County, Illinois to answer the following research questions:

What are principals' perceptions of neighborhood gentrification?

In what ways do principals perceive their school culture being affected by gentrification?

What strategies do principals implement in response to student changes in enrollment caused by gentrification?

In what ways do principals perceive their leadership styles being affected by gentrification?

What opportunities for improving instructional environment for students do principals believe that gentrification brings to their schools?

This study showed that the majority of participants relied heavily on strategic hiring and talent acquisition to deal with the rise of diversity brought upon by both internal gentrification and displaced students from Chicago Public schools. The study also raised the awareness that demography matters and that the phenomenon of gentrification is morphing into a new manifestation that may not be neutral to school leadership and school culture. Hence the definition of gentrification may also need further intellectual amendment(s). The study concludes that the principals who focus on getting the right people on the bus and developing a Hedgehog concept produce the greater good.

Embedded in Scott’s nomenclature is the germ of the debates that sound technology has aroused in the modernist era over the relative value of—and indeed, the very distinction between—original and copy, live and recorded, authentic and mechanically produced, sincerity and fakery, reproduction and representation. The confusion of those borderlines is graphically presented in the image of the dog with his ear to the horn of the gramophone listening to ‘his master’s voice’ (a trademark first acquired by the London Gramophone Company in 1898 and used by Emile Berliner from 1900), as well as in anecdotes, cartoons, photographs and advertisements from the time in which people mistake the talking machine for a person talking, the mimetic representation for the ‘real thing’. That slippage between the live and the recorded, the original and the copy, is precisely the achievement of sound technology; it is not a mistake but what makes it work. In that slippage lies the key to a new, modernist understanding not just of art in the age of mechanical reproduction, but of subjectivity itself. That kind of slippage is one that I have explored elsewhere in terms of ‘passing’.

The top-down data structure design method is based upon the model and is particularly suited to both the design and documentation of large data bases. Two special features, restatement and redefinition, allow the designs to remain intellectually manageable throughout a large number of conceptual levels. To show the utility of these methods a practical data base design for a software development system is presented. The requirements for this data base are drawn from the typical situation in which a number of individual programmers cooperate to create a software system which is used and modified over a long time period. This design proffers a general solution to a common programming problem and is thus a “software engineering" approach to data base design.

In order to compare and contrast the model of this thesis with existing work, 11 other data structure models are surveyed and divided into four groups: semantic, prototype, analysis, and information models. The data structure model of this thesis is an analysis model; such models provide a compilation of all possible variations among a collection of data structures. To aid the comparison, a common example is expressed in terms of each data structure model.

Dr. Morris has more than 18 years of account management experience in the advertising industry and has traveled extensively in pursuit of her research interests in advertising, mass media, world culture, and visual literacy, aspects of which she teaches. Morris received her doctorate in 2004 from S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University.

In the first semester of language policy implementation, I collected discursive data that showcased the social interaction of teachers and their co-construction of knowledge in the study group. After seven teacher study group sessions and 14 individual interviews, I analyzed teachers’ discourse to discern the cultural models of language, learning, and ELLs to understand the figured world of ELD teaching. Using documentation of language policies and observations of ELD teacher trainings, I scrutinized the structures in the educational institution that supported the dominant cultural models reflected in teachers’ discourse – most notably the English-only policies mandated by Arizona Proposition 203. I then explored how teachers’ situated identities mediated discourse in teacher study group sessions to allow for the acceptance or rejection of dominant cultural models.

Finally, I delved into teacher learning about ELLs through the investigation of the changes in teachers’ cultural models and discourse over time. I discovered that the introduction of literary tools allowed teachers to take new perspectives and interrupt dominant cultural models. Teachers’ talk changed over time, as they negotiated dominant cultural models and co-constructed knowledge for ELD classroom practice. The most substantial changes in teachers’ talk, related to cultural models of language and learning, occurred later in the semester, in conjunction with the period when institutional pressures to comply with language policies waned. My research holds implications for teacher learning and ELLs and calls for re-figuring education for ELLs by supporting teachers in policy implementation, creating change from within schools through teacher learning communities, and designing university coursework to emphasize the unique and diverse needs of ELLs in the classroom.

The structures and free energies of phosphate dimethyl ester and vanadate dimethyl ester have been calculated using the B3LYP/TZVP density functional quantum chemical methods, and the polarized continuum (PCM) and Langevin dipoles (LD) solvation models. These calculations were carried out to obtain fundamental information on the ability of vanadate esters to function as transition state analogs for the nucleotidyl transfer reaction catalyzed by DNA polymerases. Base catalyzed methanolysis of the phosphate and vanadate dimethyl esters were the model reactions examined in this study. The structures of the phosphate and vanadate dimethyl esters and pentavalent intermediates in aqueous solution were optimized and evaluated at the PCM/B3LYP/TZVP level. The three-dimensional free energy surfaces for the studied reactions were determined at the PCM/HF/6-31G*//B3LYP/TZVP level. Comparison with experimental structural data obtained from the Cambridge Structural database and with the observed kinetics of phosphate diester hydrolysis demonstrated that the level of theory chosen for these studies was appropriate. The results showed that structurally and electrostatically the vanadate dimethylester and a five-coordinate near trigonal bipyramidal intermediate were reasonable analogs for the parent phosphorus systems. Despite these similarities in structure, the energetics of the two systems were different and the transition states of the two model reactions were found on different areas of the potential energy surface with barriers of activation of 45 and 31 kcal/mol, respectively, for the methanolysis of the phosphate and vanadate dimethyl esters in pH 7 solution. The total free energies of the pentavalent intermediates of the phosphate and vanadate compounds were found to be 42 and 18 kcal/mol above the ground state energies, respectively. The pentavalent vanadate intermediate is more stable than the pentavalent phosphate intermediate. When extrapolating the binding energy of a transition state-DNA polymerase complex to a transition state analogue-DNA polymerase complex, the binding of a vanadate-ester nucleotide adduct, pentacoordinated by monodentate ligands, was not found to be favorable. This finding suggests that additional stabilization of this adduct is needed before this type of transition state-analogue will be likely to yield stable adducts with this class of enzymes. New possible candidates for such complexes are suggested.

The B3LYP/TZVP and PCM/B3LYP/6-31G* and LD methods were used to model the structural, equilibrium and kinetic properties of the methanolysis of acetyl phosphate (AcP) and acetyl vanadate (AcV) in aqueous solution. The calculated equilibrium bond distance and force constant of the bond formed between phosphorus and the bridging oxygen atom (P-O_b) of AcP were compared to experimental IR data. Evaluation of the accuracy of the PCM and LD computational solvation models via experimental pK_a constants are presented. Reaction free energies related to AcP methanolysis in solution were calculated using the PCM and LD models and correctly predict the experimentally observed spontaneity of these reactions. The LD model was modified to accept large data sets as input and used in combination with the B3LYP/TZVP method to calculate solvation free energy surfaces for the methanolysis of AcP and AcV in aqueous solution. Calculated ESP charge surfaces for the reactions involving the methoxide attack on AcP and AcV were used to contrast the change in electronic density that occurs along the reaction mechanism pathways. The free energy surface for the reaction involving methanol attack on AcP was calculated to model the reaction for the hydrolysis of AcP in pH-neutral solution. Intermolecular proton transfer was addressed by calculating the free energy barriers for proton transfer at each point along the reaction mechanism pathway. When proton transfer was considered, the calculated free energy of activation was in good agreement with the experimental rate constant for AcP hydrolysis under standard conditions. The three-dimensional free energy surface for the methoxide attack on Mg2+[AcP2-] was calculated to model the effects of Mg2+ on the reaction mechanism for AcP hydrolysis. The results hint that AcP hydrolysis may proceed through a more compact transition state in the presence of Mg2+.

The crystal structure of hexose phosphate phosphatase (HPP) contains a vanadate-based transition state analogue (TSA) in its active site. Using our previously established methods, a structure located on the AcV methanolysis free energy surface was used to calculate the stability of a HPP-vanadate complex in solution and correctly predicted its existence. The controversial assignment of the electronic density map located in the active site of β-phosphoglucomutase (β-PGM) to a stable phosphorane intermediate was addressed by calculating the stability of a β-PGM-phosphorane complex in solution using structures from the AcP methanolysis free energy surfaces. However, our calculations do not support the assignment of the electronic density map of the β-PGM crystal structure to a phosphorane intermediate. This conclusion was further explored by comparing our structures to experimental x-ray data.

In solution, molecules are subjected to numerous collisions powered by the thermal energy of Brownian motion. It is upon each Brownian collision that structural information is momentarily trapped and therefore communicated between molecules. In most cases, the result of a collision is not a reaction. However, the sequences of collisions resulting in no chemical reaction are the ones that communicate details of molecular structure. In a liquid environment, every molecule, enzyme or otherwise, offers a complex set of collision possibilities, which differentiates its chemical nature.

The computational model of this investigation is one that mimics collisions between a folded protein and an inert colliding random walker. Every instance of collision between the random walker and protein molecule results in expression of information about a small fraction of the protein structure. The deviations from randomness in the random walk are imposed by the molecular lattice of the protein molecule. The model tracks the path of the random walker as it traverses the structure of a folded protein. The structural data expressed by the protein molecule at each collision is documented and recorded. The collision sequences are then probed for Shannon and mutual information quantities.

This model is one that is not expensive in computational time or power. In fact, all of the programs implemented in this model are written in the high level languages of PASCAL and BASIC. The only input data needed to model a protein by this method are the results of structure determination by X-ray experiment, as deposited in Protein Data Bank (PDB).

This investigation has yielded several interesting results. Information properties for wild type (WT) Ribonuclease A, site-substituted variants and enzyme inhibitor complexes of the same enzyme were established. Distinctions were evident on informational grounds upon comparison of Ribonuclease A to the variants and inhibited complexes. It was found that the unique information distribution of the wild type sample is altered in a signature way upon mutation or inhibitor binding. Furthermore, comparisons between the wild type and various mutants elucidated a pattern of change in information properties, distinguishing critical site residues from those where the chemical function is maintained upon mutation. Also enzyme complexes with inhibitors of potent effect have been found to perturb the wild type information signature in a way that is distinguished from those of weaker potency.

The results of this project identify a new method for predicting critical site residues and potent inhibitors of enzymatic proteins. This model allows for use with no a priori knowledge about the protein sample, except for structure data from X-ray diffraction experiments. It is possible to use this model, for example, having no knowledge of the active site constituency. In fact, this model is an effective tool in the identification of active site residues, for example. This would be useful, as identification of active site residues is necessary to elucidate protein function.

Several S-pixyl analogues have been synthesized to determine the combined effects of substitution on the phenyl ring and the thioxanthyl backbone. The analogues were used to protect thymidine and investigated to determine deprotection yield and the time of irradiation needed for deprotection.

A phenomenological qualitative case study methodology was used to investigate certified staff training and perception of its district's RtI model. Data was gathered and conclusions were drawn by reviewing artifacts, interviewing, and surveying certified staff members. Ten certified staff members were interviewed and 46% of the certified staff members elected to participate in the on-line survey. Interview and survey questions were designed to ascertain certified staffs' perception of the district's RtI process and professional development opportunities. The artifacts reviewed provided a descriptive perspective of the type and amount of professional development opportunities, board polices, and community resources available and implemented.

Results yielded indicated that certified staff had an understanding of the purpose and framework of RtI. Various trainings provided by the district facilitated a staff "buy-in" as well as assisted in establishing a framework that allows for continuous development within the RtI process. Data also suggested that as staff begins to implement RtI their staffing needs changed. Their needs changed from how to implement the process to how to monitor student progress and collect data with fidelity and integrity.

Certified staff perceive RtI as an effective identification tool that when used effectively, identifies and provides appropriate supports to all students. Certified staff also believe that a staffs' "buy-in" is greatly impacted by both district and building level administration. RtI was perceived to be implemented with fidelity and integrity when staff considered administration to be supportive and knowledgeable of its process.

The Catholic Magisterium has made a distinction between homosexual orientation (disordered but not sinful), homosexual activity (sinful, but judged “with prudence”), rights of gay and lesbian people, and the Church’s pastoral responsibilities to gay and lesbian people. Both the Vatican and the American bishops have clearly stated that the topic of homosexuality must be addressed in Catholic education, but the emphases on how it is addressed differ between the Vatican (emphasis on finding causes and cures) and the American bishops (providing pastoral care and inclusion). This article deals with the experiences of gay and lesbian youth in Catholic high schools. It is based on in-depth interviews with 25 (12 female and 13 male) gay and lesbian alumni who attended Catholic high schools in the 1980s and 1990s. What emerged is a theme of “disintegration.” Things simply did not fit together in their lives in the areas of family, peers, school, spirituality, and identity. This is in stark contrast with Catholic teaching, which proposes that the purpose of Catholic education is the integration of all these areas.