Most Popular Books by Ryan W

Just as the Wright Brothers combined science and practice to finally realize the dream of flight, Ryan and Robert Quinn combine research and personal experience to demonstrate how to reach a psychological state that elevates us and those around us to greater heights of achievement, integrity, openness, and empathy. It''s the psychological equivalent of aerodynamic lift, and it is the fundamental state of leadership. This book draws on recent advances in positive psychology and organizational science to describe four questions that, when asked in any situation, will help us experience the fundamental state of leadership. Engaging personal stories illustrate how the Quinns and others have applied these concepts at work, at home, and in the community. --

Drawing on records of about 5,500 soldiers and veterans, Shades of Green traces the organization of Irish regiments from the perspective of local communities in Connecticut, Illinois, and Wisconsin and the relationships between soldiers and the home front. Research on the impact of the Civil War on Irish Americans has traditionally fallen into one of two tracks, arguing that the Civil War either further alienated Irish immigrants from American society or that military service in defense of the Union offered these men a means of assimilation. In this study of Irish American service, Ryan W. Keating argues that neither paradigm really holds, because many Irish Americans during this time already considered themselves to be assimilated members of American society. This comprehensive study argues that the local community was often more important to ethnic soldiers than the imagined ethnic community, especially in terms of political, social, and economic relationships. An analysis of the Civil War era from this perspective provides a much clearer understanding of immigrant place and identity during the nineteenth century. With a focus on three regiments not traditionally studied, the author provides a fine-grained analysis revealing that ethnic communities, like other types of communities, are not monolithic on a national scale. Examining lesser-studied communities, rather than the usual those of New York City and Boston, Keating brings the local back into the story of Irish American participation in the Civil War, thus adding something new and valuable to the study of the immigrant experience in America’s bloodiest conflict. Throughout this rich and groundbreaking study, Keating supports his argument through advanced quantitative analysis of military-service records and an exhaustive review of a massive wealth of raw data; his use of quantitative methods on a large dataset is an unusual and exciting development in Civil War studies. Shades of Green is sure to “shake up” several fields of study that rely on ethnicity as a useful category for analysis; its impressive research provides a significant contribution to scholarship.

Pediatric Amplification: Enhancing Auditory Access is a comprehensive resource that focuses specifically on the process of fitting children with hearing aids, a population that is underrepresented in the scientific and clinical literature. The text is based on a theoretical framework that posits that well-fit, consistently worn hearing aids can optimize the auditory access of children with hearing loss. This theoretical framework serves as the basis for providing clinical care to children with hearing aids and their families. The content is organized around using best practices to provide aided audibility, promote consistent hearing aid use, and engage in high-quality linguistic input for children who wear hearing aids. The text is unique in its focus on the clinical management of amplification in the pediatric population using cutting-edge research based on the needs of children who are hard of hearing. It includes chapters dedicated to hearing assistance technology and case studies to illustrate the concepts presented. Pediatric Amplification is a professional resource for clinicians and audiologists who serve children who wear hearing aids and their families and can also be used in graduate courses for students in audiology, deaf education, and speech-language pathology.

Culled from over three years of writing poetry, this collection intrigues its readers with varying styles and themes. From classical mythology and the stars, to patriotism and the universe these are poems meant to awaken you to the world.

This unique hands-on guide walks neuropsychologists through the process of validity assessment and management in real-world clinical settings. Emphasizing the medical necessity of evaluating validity, the authors provide detailed examples, procedural tips, and downloadable practical tools. Step-by-step guidelines are presented for managing potentially complicated referrals, using the clinical interview to gain awareness of possible concerns, choosing and administering performance and symptom validity tests, and providing feedback and treatment recommendations when invalidity is identified. Clinician–patient relationship issues are sensitively addressed. The book concludes with a chapter-length case example.

Why It’s OK to Own a Gun explores the right to self-defense, but also looks beyond it to what gun ownership fundamentally means in American life. Guns can provide a source of meaning that doesn’t depend on how much money you have or how important your job is. Guns can offer a sense of shared identity that’s not hung up on intellectual credentials or ideological orthodoxy. For many responsible gun owners, owning a gun is a way of positively reclaiming one’s own agency in the world. It’s true that guns matter to only a minority of Americans, but the same could be said for many important political liberties. Like freedom of religion and freedom of expression, guns should be on the list of basic rights. In fact, they are: as some in America’s founding generation anticipated, gun rights have offered a bulwark for republican freedom. Because there is nothing morally wrong with any of these values, owning a gun is OK. Key Features: Discusses the grounds of the political rights of gun ownership Connects the debate over guns with the sociology of gun ownership Describes genuinely worthwhile features of a way of life that’s unfamiliar to many readers Considers empirical and normative aspects of the gun debate Thinks about individual rights in the context of state power

In today’s deeply divided world, how can people find common ground with each other? One of the earliest goals of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was to build a modern Zion—a community where people would share one heart and one mind. That vision raises questions that are profoundly relevant in today’s divided society. Is unity of feeling and belief desirable or even possible? If so, what does it look like? Ryan Davis explores these questions by reflecting on personal stories from his life and work in the present-day Latter-day Saints faith community. The stories that Davis is interested in are ones in which relative strangers or mere acquaintances catch a glimpse of each other’s humanity. Within that liminal space—which Davis calls “Mormon Zion”—they are able to listen to each other, learn from each other, and find common ground, qualities that are sorely needed in today’s public square. Combining gifted storytelling with keen analysis, Davis illuminates people’s lived experiences within the Latter-day Saints community and offers thoughtful reflections on what it might mean to share one heart and one mind in today’s polarized world.

The Western genre has long been associated with right-wing and libertarian politics, and is said to promote individualism and free-market economics. In a new look at the Western, however, Ryan McMaken shows that the Western is in fact often anti-capitalist, and in many ways, the genre attacks the dominant ideology of nineteenth-century America: classical liberalism. The classical Westerns of the mid-twentieth century often feature wealthy capitalist villains who oppress the cowardly and defenseless shopkeepers and farmers of the frontier. The gunfighter, a representative of the law and order provided by the nation-state, intervenes to provide safety and justice. In addition to attacks on capitalism, the Western attacks other prized values of the bourgeois middle classes including Christianity, education and urbanization. McMaken examines these themes as used in the films of John Ford, Anthony Mann, and Howard Hawks. These pioneers of the classical Westerns are then contrasted with later innovators such as Sergio Leone, Sam Peckinpah, and Clint Eastwood. Also included are discussions of the role of the LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE series, Victorian literature, and the nature of crime on the historical frontier. With a foreword by Paul A. Cantor, author of GILLIGAN UNBOUND and THE INVISIBLE HAND IN POPULAR CULTURE.

The Second Edition of Blueprints Radiology covers the essentials that students need to know on rotations and while preparing for the USMLE. The thoroughly updated and greatly expanded Second Edition features coverage of the most common conditions encountered on the wards. This edition includes new chapters on interventional radiology and nuclear medicine and places greater emphasis on classic radiological findings and pearls. The high-quality images include an increased number of CTs, MRIs, and x-rays. Seventy-five brand new board-format questions, with detailed answer explanations, are included. This edition now includes evidence-based resources.

This book investigates the consequences of redundant state and federal environmental regulations in the United States. Drawing on the most exhaustive statistical analysis of US federal wetland permits ever constructed, the book uncovers the disjointed world of wetland regulation. The author starts by examining the socioeconomic and environmental factors driving individuals to apply for environmental regulatory permits and the regional inconsistencies encountered in federal environmental regulatory program performance. The book goes on to demonstrate that states have more power in federal relationships than scholars often believe and that individual state policies are important even in a time of strong federal governance. Evidence shows that such intergovernmental redundancy serves to increase overall regulatory program effectiveness. This book breaks new ground in the subjects of federalism and environmental regulation by rejecting the traditional approach of picking winners and losers in favour of a nuanced demonstration of how redundancy and collaboration between different levels of governance can make for more effective governmental programs. The book is also innovative in its use of the perspectives of regulated citizens not as a point of judgment, but as a means of introducing a constructive new way of thinking about political and administrative boundaries within a federalist system of governance. The book provides relevant context to wider political debates about excessive and duplicative regulatory oversight and will be of interest to Environmental Policy students and administrators.

Ryan W. Tracy hadnt said a word in almost forty years when his family discovered hes a remarkable artist and poet. He had been diagnosed with autism at age seven and lived in a world of his own until the day he picked up a paint brush, which gave him the gift of words. Those words came out in a flood of art and poetry that celebrate landscapes, flowers, ribbons of color, valleys of hope, and the power of love. His poems are just as remarkable as his artwork. In The Wild Me, he celebrates his spirit, writing: The wildness of my soul finds its grace in the most creative ventures The singular blowing tree bends but never breaks Autism seeks to break my wild spirit from within I stand strong in hurricane force trials that place storms at my branches I refuse the call to quit Infused with wonder, talent, and beauty, youll be inspired to keep reaching for the heavens no matter what obstacles stand in the way with The Brilliant Brush-Strokes of Autism.

Considering the effort and funding devoted to a company''s success, understanding Intellectual Property rights patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and licensing is essential. Establishing appropriate internal policies from the outset can prevent companies from learning a costly and painful lesson in the courtroom. With Intellectual Property in the Food Technology Industry, currently the only book of its kind focusing specifically on the food industry, one will learn what to consider throughout the various creative phases of a product''s lifespan from initial research and development initiatives through post-production. Readers will have an understanding of the intellectual property protections afforded to U.S. corporations, methods to pro-actively reduce potential problems, and guidelines for future considerations to reduce legal spending, prevent IP theft, and allow for greater profitability from corporate innovation and inventiveness.

Effective Altruism is a movement and a philosophy that has reinvigorated the debate about the nature of beneficence. At base, it is the consistent application of microeconomic principles to beneficent action. The movement has exposed that many forms of giving do little good (or do active harm), but others do tremendous good. Questioning Beneficence uses Effective Altruism as a launch pad to ask hard questions about beneficence more generally. Must we be Effective Altruists, or are Effective Altruism and the ideas driving the movement a mistake? How much should we give—if anything— and how should we give it? What are the respective roles of different kinds of institutions? Is charity anti-democratic and do billionaire philanthropists have too much power? Is Effective Altruism just utilitarianism in disguise? Questioning Beneficence is written by four philosophers, each with distinct points of view. It introduces a new standard for debating ideas in philosophy as each author poses and answers three questions and each of his three co-authors responds to those questions in turn. Finally, the first author replies to his co-authors’ responses. Throughout the book, there is a spirit of curiosity, intellectual risk taking, and truth-seeking, rather than point-scoring and one-upmanship. This book demonstrates what open-minded, real dialogue on an important issue can be at its very best. Key Features: Introduces a new roundtable format for philosophical debates: each of four authors takes the lead in constructing and answering three questions, each co-author then responds, and the first author then replies to the others’ responses. Explores salient philosophical questions raised by beneficence, like Can philanthropy be undemocratic? Why are people so bad at charity and what can we do about it? How important is beneficence compared to other values? Can Effective Altruism be part of a meaningful moral life? Consistently written in a clear and engaging style, suitable for both undergraduate students and curious general readers

Being in your 20s is like losing your parents at Disneyland, but for the rest of your life. Sure, its all fun and games because at least Mickey Mouse is there and cotton candy is flowing. Then you realize, Wait, what the heck am I supposed to do now? MOM, DAAAAAAD!?! ANYBODYYYY!?! Some people are lucky. They know exactly what they want out of life early on and are relentless in attaining it. Good for them they deserve it. Most of us, however, are forced to continuously alter our path, always striving to reinvent ourselves and find our passion somewhere along the way. Whichever category you fall in, at one point or another, we all find ourselves lost, trying to navigate our way through the storms of life. Whatever walk (or storm) youre on, theres no doubt in my mind that you seek more out of this life. I wrote this book for one reason - to serve as a roadmap for those searching to live a successful, peaceful, and purpose-filled life. Will we allow our past to alter our present? Or will we decide to find our Purpose, Escape our past, take Action, Change our autopilot, and become Empathetic to our surroundings? Yes, for those of you paying attention - those five steps I just listed off spell P.E.A.C.E. See, not as dumb as I look crouching in that field below.

When peace is in peril, the Marine Raiders go to war. To annihilate the Galactic Union threat once and for all, Alliance Intelligence Director Aaron Hella needs the world-destroying firepower of the Ra weapons. Aligned with a sinister cabal of synthetic humans, he dispatches his most trusted operative-his own daughter-to steal two Ra warheads from a top-secret facility in the Planetary Federation. But the synths have other plans for the Ra weapons. To Hella''s alarm, they fall into the hands of General Umez, a radical nationalist who launched a revolt against Alliance rule in the Tellus System. The insane general intends to rejoin the Planetary Federation with himself as planetary dictator. Hella dispatches Lieutenant Mark Rizer and his team of elite Marine Raiders on the perilous mission to track down Umez and the Ra weapons. While the Marines of Rizer''s old unit battle house-to-house to liberate Tellus-3, Rizer blazes a bloody trail through underworld criminals and legions of revolutionary troops to stop Umez before he can blast worlds into memories. General Umez has his finger on the button, and time is running out. Through the Darkness is the fourth book in the bestselling War''s Edge series written by Ryan W. Aslesen (USA Today best seller and author of the Crucible series). Featuring gritty combat and realistic characters, the series is considered by many fans and critics to be the hardest military science fiction on the market. Warning: This book contains graphic violence, profanity, and sexual content. It is intended for a mature audience. Reader discretion is advised.

The Judicial Code -- Title 28 of the United States Code -- contains the primary statutes relating the power and organization of the federal judiciary. It accordingly provides the framework for any study of Federal Courts. But the Judicial Code is not a static compilation; in almost every session, Congress makes one or more changes to its provisions. Some of the changes are minor, like realigning the judicial districts within a state or conforming a statutory provision to a change in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. But other amendments establish new ground rules for litigation or raise constitutional questions that are of interest from a Federal Courts perspective. For example, in 2011, Congress made significant revisions to the Code sections that govern removal of cases from state to federal court under the general removal statute. A year later, Congress amended the federal officer removal statute in a way that arguably goes beyond the scope of Article III. This edition of the Judicial Code Supplement incorporates the amendments to Title 28 signed into law through May 2016. Footnotes and textual notes flag substantive changes in the Code since the book''s initial appearance in 2005. This feature, unique to our Code Supplement, enables teachers as well as students to trace the evolution of the Code over a period of years. The first edition of this Code Supplement was published in 2005, along with the first edition of our casebook, Federal Courts: Cases and Materials on Judicial Federalism and the Lawyering Process. The second edition of the casebook was published in 2009, and the third edition was published in 2013. Like its predecessors, this compilation can of course be used with any Federal Courts casebook.

Written beneath the dark and sunless skies of Manic-Depression and Borderline Psychosis, speaking between the lines and with every word, the shadows and the skeletons of a faulty society are revealed in a flurry of angst and loathing. The boundaries of controversy are crossed and the barriers of a societal censorship are cast away in disregard with the figurative "blind eyes and deaf ears" of Ryan W. McClellan, who debuted his career as a published Novelist at the peak (but never "tender") age of Eighteen. 3 years older now, this 3-stories-in-1 piece is one piece of art and self-expression that cannot go unrecognized. It is an epic exaggeration of governmental despotism, worldwide conspiracy, communal brainwashing and the grounds upon which a revolution is bred. . . and within this madness, McClellan entwines a series of (unrelated) short stories and tirades of both the Vehement and the Misunderstood. Also contained is "Wolves Amongst Sheep," based on a fictional story through the eyes of a criminal (and you will be surprised at what you encounter). Finally: "May God Hath Mercy" dedicates itself to the tragic genocide taking place across the Atlantic within the struggling lands of Darfur from a first-person perspective of both sides: the enemy and the innocent.

Ryan W. Bradley''s third full-length poetry collection finds a fresh combination of muses from his first two. Whether about love or concussions, his poems arrive with confidence, taking everyday moments and spinning them for the reader to experience from a unique vantage point.

Volume 2 of this inquiry-based biology manual contains ten new lab exercises that allow students to ask their own questions, gather information, formulate hypotheses, design and carry out experiments, collect and analyze data and formulate conclusions. Topics include transpiration, the cardiopulmonary system, and osmoregulation and excretion.

The Taking Sides Collection on McGraw-Hill CreateTM includes current controversial issues in a debate-style format designed to stimulate student interest and develop critical thinking skills. This Collection contains a multitude of current and classic issues to enhance and customize your course. You can browse the entire Taking Sides Collection on Create, or you can search by topic, author, or keywords. Each Taking Sides issues is thoughtfully framed with Learning Outcomes, an Issue Summary, an Introduction, and an Exploring the Issue section featuring Critical Thinking and Reflection, Is There Common Ground?, and Additional Resources and Internet References. Go to McGraw-Hill CreateTM at www.mcgrawhillcreate.com, click on the "Collections" tab, and select The Taking Sides Collection to browse the entire Collection. Select individual Taking Sides issues to enhance your course, or access and select the entire McKee/Taverner: Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Human Sexuality, 13/e ExpressBook for an easy, pre-built teaching resource by clicking here. An online Instructor''s Resource Guide with testing material is available for each Taking Sides volume. Using Taking Sides in the Classroom is also an excellent instructor resource. Visit the Create Central Online Learning Center at www.mhhe.com/createcentral for more details.

Whether you''re grinding your way through MyCAREER, stacking VC to max out your build, assembling a MyTEAM God Squad, or running the courts in The Park and Rec, Beyond the Build: NBA 2K25 Guide to Gameplay Mastery and VC Hustle is your all-in-one playbook to dominate every aspect of NBA 2K25. Designed for both newcomers and seasoned players, this comprehensive guide dives deep into everything you need to know to rise above the competition and become a true 2K legend. Inside, you''ll discover the best builds for every position, badge tier breakdowns, advanced scoring strategies, and animation setups used by elite players. Learn how to optimize your controller settings, use the Auction House like a pro, and master Rec Center chemistry-even when running with randoms. From understanding MyTEAM''s pack economy to crafting high-IQ gameplay for Pro-Am competition, every chapter is filled with actionable insights backed by community-tested data and expert tips. Want to grind VC faster without spending real money? We''ve got you covered with proven VC farming methods, Season XP tricks, and daily objectives that get you paid. Need help locking in that perfect jump shot or defending top-tier dribble gods? This guide breaks it all down with real in-game examples, position-specific advice, and plug-and-play setups for success. Packed with resources like animation charts, badge stacking blueprints, camera and meter tips, plus recommended YouTube channels, Discord communities, and build-testing tools, this is more than a guide-it''s your 2K25 survival kit. Whether you''re going for your Legend grind, hunting trophies in MyTEAM, or just trying to win more games in The City, Beyond the Build gives you the knowledge, tools, and edge to take your game to the next level. Master NBA 2K25. Stack your VC. Build your legend.

The first book from Artistically Declined Press'' Twin Antlers imprint devoted to collaborative works brings poetry from Ryan W. Bradley & David Tomaloff. Bastardizing the individual voice for the dual one. RYAN W. BRADLEY has pumped gas, fronted a punk band, done construction in the Arctic Circle and now designs book covers. He is the author of three chapbooks, a story collection, Prize Winners (Artistically Declined Press, 2011), and a novel, Code for Failure (Black Coffee Press, 2012). The Waiting Tide, his poetry collection in homage to Neruda''s The Captain''s Verses, will be published in 2013 by Curbside Splendor. DAVID TOMALOFF is a writer, photographer, musician, and an all-around bad influence. His work has appeared in several anthologies and publications such as Mud Luscious, PANK, Prick of the Spindle, DOGZPLOT, and elimae. He is the author of the chapbooks 13 (Artistically Declined Press), A Soft That Touches Down & Removes Itself (NAP and Red Ceilings Press), Olifaunt (Red Ceilings Press), Exit Strategies (Gold Wake Press) and Mescal Non-Palindrome Cinema (Ten Pages Press).

Disclaimer Please note that this book is an unauthorised game guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the original production of "Hade 2" Are you struggling to navigate the treacherous depths of the Underworld in Hades 2? Worried about being constantly thwarted by powerful adversaries and complex challenges? Fear not, for within the pages of this comprehensive guide lies the key to overcoming every obstacle the game throws your way. From navigating labyrinthine dungeons to defeating formidable bosses, Hades 2 presents players with a myriad of challenges that can leave even the most seasoned gamers feeling daunted. Mastering the game''s mechanics and strategies is essential to progressing through its unforgiving levels and unlocking its many secrets. Inside this guide, you''ll find expert tips and strategies for every aspect of Hades 2 gameplay. From character builds and weapon choices to enemy tactics and level navigation, each chapter is packed with valuable insights and practical advice to help you become a true master of the Underworld. Whether you''re a newcomer looking to survive your first encounter with the denizens of Hades or a veteran seeking to conquer the game''s toughest challenges, this book has something for everyone. With step-by-step instructions, detailed maps, and in-depth analysis, you''ll learn how to optimize your play style, exploit your enemies'' weaknesses, and emerge victorious in even the most dire situations. Don''t let the Underworld''s trials and tribulations stand in your way any longer. Arm yourself with the knowledge and skills you need to dominate the game and claim your rightful place among the legends of Hades 2. Pick up your copy of THE ART OF HADES 2 today and embark on a journey to gaming greatness!

In primates, corticomotoneuronal (CM) cells have sufficiently strong synaptic linkages to motoneurons to mediate post-spike facilitation in spike-triggered averages of muscle activity. We investigated the degree to which activity of CM cells and their target muscles could be independently controlled by operantly conditioning their relative activation levels. In two Macaca nemestrina monkeys, single cortical neurons were recorded with moveable microwires chronically implanted in the caudal bank of the pre-central gyrus. Rectified EMG of 12 distal forelimb muscles was recorded with sub-cutaneously implanted pairs of wires in each muscle in one monkey from which 35 unique cell-muscle pairs were operantly conditioned. In the other animal, surface electrodes were placed over wrist flexor and extensor muscles (9 unique cell-muscle pairs). Spike-triggered averages of rectified EMG were compiled while the monkeys performed a force target-tracking task about the wrist. Twenty-four CM cells, with post-spike effects at latencies between 6 and 16 ms in one or more forelimb muscles, were selected for activity dissociation conditioning. Monkeys performed an operant conditioning task through which relative activation of the CM cell and a target muscle could be explored (44 unique cell-muscle pairs). Cell and muscle activity controlled the position of a cursor on a screen, with cursor position determined by concurrent cell spike rates (C) and EMG activity of a target muscle (M); one activity assigned the horizontal direction the other, vertical. Monkeys received fruit sauce rewards for holding the cursor in target positions requiring at least four combinations of increased (+) and suppressed (-) activation relative to levels observed during force generation, namely C+M+; C+M-; C-M+ and C-M-. The monkeys learned to reciprocally activate cells and target muscles exhibiting post-spike facilitation (42 out of 44 cell-muscle pairs), in both directions. For muscles with post-spike suppression (4 out of 4 pairs), monkeys learned to co-activate these cell-muscle pairs. These results indicate that cortical cells with direct synaptic linkages to motoneurons can be flexibly activated relative to their target muscles. Further, CM cell-muscle activity dissociations can be rapid, robust, reversible and are subject to volitional control. Calculation of mutual information between CM cell and muscle activation patterns during reciprocal dissociation events, compared to force target-tracking, implicates involvement of other upstream sources. Activity independence between correlationally-linked components within a neural circuit favors strategies for brain computer interface (BCI) control in which individual neurons are each assigned an individual degree-of-freedom of device output. Operant conditioning of neural activity has typically been achieved under controlled behavioral conditions using food reinforcement. To reward cell activity during unconstrained behavior, we sought midbrain sites whose stimulation would support operant responding. Three nemestrina monkeys learned to perform a manual step-tracking task rewarded by fruit sauce. We found sites in nucleus accumbens and surrounding striatum whose stimulation could maintain task performance and verified that response rates increased monotonically with increasing pulse frequency and amplitude. We recorded activity of single neurons with moveable microwires chronically implanted in the precentral gyrus and documented neural modulation with a force-guided target-tracking task. We attempted to condition increased firing rates first with the monkey in the training booth and then during free behavior in the cage using the Neurochip-a head-fixed, autonomous recording and stimulating system. Spikes occurring above baseline rates triggered single or multiple electrical pulses to the reinforcement site (1 mA, 0.2 ms biphasic current pulses). This rate-contingent, unit-triggered stimulation was made available for periods of 1 to 3 minutes separated by 3 to 10 minute time-out periods without stimulation, regardless of cell activity. During in-booth sessions feedback was presented as vertical cursor movement and auditory clicks. During in-cage conditioning, barely audible clicks occurred during each spike-triggered stimulation event. In-booth conditioning produced increases in single neuron firing probability after transition to intracranial reinforcement in 48 of 58 cells. Reinforced cell activity could rise u003e 5 times that of non-reinforced activity, doubling in most sessions. Activity peaks typically occurred during the first 10 seconds of each time-in period and, for many cells, activity remained elevated above baseline for the full period. In-cage conditioning produced significant increases in post-transition activity in 21 out of 33 sessions. In-cage effects peaked later and lasted longer than in-booth effects but were often comparatively smaller, between 13 and 18 percent above non-reinforced activity. The difference in responding in the two conditioning environments could be due to the dynamic range of candidate cell firing rate, robustness of the reinforcement site and differing levels of attention and competing behaviors in the booth and cage. Controls indicate that stimulation of the reinforcement site did not directly evoke increased cell activity. In several sessions, neighboring, synaptically-linked motor cortex neurons were recorded simultaneously with the trigger cell, revealing network involvement in eliciting conditioned rate changes in the stimulation-triggering neuron.

The purpose of this study was to explore the origin and impact of a popular tradition at Taylor University known as Silent Night. Through a phenomenological design, this study investigated traditions, specifically Silent Night, at a small, faith-based, liberal arts institution in the Midwest called Taylor University. The following questions guided this exploratory research: What is the student perception of the value of Silent Night? What is the personnel perception of the value of Silent Night? What are the institutional elements surrounding a successful campus tradition? Key findings from this study include an understanding of traditions defined from student and personnel perspectives, the benefits from engaging in campus traditions, the characteristics of a successful tradition, and institutional elements that set up a tradition for sustainability and success. Data collected from student and personnel interviews were divided into two main themes: descriptors and outcomes. Five subthemes emerged from the descriptors: continual, origin/history, location, timing, and transmission. Three subthemes emerged from the outcomes: community, fun, and university promotion. Based on these findings, several implications for practice and research also surfaced for higher education professionals. This research confirmed the value of campus traditions and identified institutional elements aiding their success.

This thesis presents the development of and the findings from the design and evaluation of a hidden semi- Markov model (HSMM)-based operator state monitoring display. This operator state monitoring display is designed to function as a decision support tool (DST) for the supervisor of a small team of operators (between 2 and 4 team members) that are each monitoring and controlling multiple highly autonomous heterogeneous unmanned vehicles (UVs). Such displays are important in real-time, mission-critical complex systems because both operator and vehicle state monitoring are difficult, and failure to appropriately handle emerging situations could have life or mission-critical consequences. Recent research has shown that HSMM-based models can be used to model the time-sensitive behavior of operators controlling multiple heterogeneous UVs. Because this method requires substantial knowledge in probability theory to understand, the difficulty lies in the accurate, useful display of the HSMM information to a team commander in the field. It must be assumed that the team commander generally does not have the required background in stochastic processes to understand the method and may be biased in interpreting probabilistic functions. This further increases the difficulty of the proposed method. In this thesis, a cognitive task analysis (CTA) was performed to determine the functional and information requirements of the DST, and a human systems engineering design process was used to develop a prototype display. A human subject experiment was then conducted to test the effectiveness of the DST. The DST was shown to improve team supervisor performance in terms of increased decision accuracy, decreased incorrect interventions, and decreased response times in single alert scenarios. The DST was also shown to decrease the number of incorrect interventions, while having no affect on decision accuracy and total response time scenarios when the supervisor faced multiple simultaneous alerts. Additionally, the DST was not shown to increase operator mental workload, as measured by a secondary task, for any of the scenarios. Overall, the results suggest that HSMM-based operator state modeling can be effectively utilized in a real-time DST for team supervisors. While this research was focused on a team supervisor of multiple operators each independently controlling multiple heterogeneous UVs, the results are generalizable, and any research in time-critical team HSC domains may benefit from this work.