Abstracts

The presenters will discuss findings in Washtenaw County Head Start's Annual Self Assessment Validation System. The purpose of this evaluation was twofold: (1) To assess compliance with performance standards by schools funded by the Washtenaw County Head Start Program, and (2) To assist in the planning of training and assistance needed by these schools to improve and strengthen the provision of services to families and children served by the Head Start Program. The assessment monitors the compliance of individual Head Start sites in covering a number of systems and services such as Nutritional Services, Disability Services, Family and Community Partners, Health and Safety, and Early Childhood Development. Data were collected utilizing interviews of staff and parents, classroom observations, and document reviews. After reviewing all material, the review team discusses areas of non-compliance with the performance standards. Each site has a 30-day window to develop a corrective action plan, which is submitted.

This research aims to identify and address the social and emotional needs of middle college students. A needs assessment conducted for 109 students identified students' primary needs and interests in areas of Self-Defense, Stress Management/Emotional Support, Nutrition, and Depression. Development of an after-school leadership/support group is the first intervention strategy to address these needs. Additional programmatic enhancements and community and systems interventions will be employed.

The issue of inadequate mental health care has been a problem in the United States for decades, dating back to the early twentieth century when Dorthea Dix and Jane Addams advocated for the humane treatment of mentally ill and impoverished persons. Currently the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which was signed into law in March 2010 by President Obama, attempts to address this issue. Two sections, Title II, Subtitle L, Section 2952 and Title X, Section 101410, of the PPACA specifically address treatment and research on mental illness. These two sections are a great step in addressing the disparity of mental health treatment, but a federal mental health mandate is needed in order to ensure equitable, affordable, and unlimited mental health treatment to those diagnosed with mental illness. The presentation includes an analysis of the PPACA with special interest to mental health care from a social work perspective.

In today's life we are using online technologies more than we ever did before, and we are faced with new threats. These threats can be costly and dangerous for all online users. Providing security for different types of networks and avoiding information breaches is a daily challenge for most specialists in the field of information security. For this reason, it is critical to reduce the risks of intrusions and hackers. One of the technologies that have been used to assess the risk of intrusion is honeypots. Using honeypots as well as other Intrusion Detection and Intrusion Preventions Systems provide multiple layers of security for an IT system. This research analyzes different types of honeypots and their impact on organizations. Moreover, this study will introduce a honeypot architecture that can reduce the risks of intrusion in organizations.

Database Management classes play a significant part in building up the foundation of Information Systems programs. Implementing the newest trends in lecturing methods can help to bring the 'real world' business environment into classroom, but it can present challenging issues. Besides the software and hardware installation, other problems potentially come from provisioning, monitoring, or updating processes. Students are also limited to using resources only within classrooms and labs. The solution to these issues could arise from utilizing cloud computing services. Cloud computing provides highly scalable and unlimited resources, managed by an outside vendor, which are accessible to anyone using Internet. In this research, I am focusing on SQL Azure, which is Microsoft's cloud relational data service based on SQL Server. I will discuss how cloud computing can contribute to creating more successful up-to-date teaching methods, while reflecting on possible implementation issues and financial aspect of its utilization.

Business Intelligence is an integral part of all successful businesses today. An important part of business intelligence solution is its dissemination to the end-users. This paper will explore use of the Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), a complete enterprise-wide report management and distribution service, in the light of push versus pull dissemination strategy. SQL Server Reporting Services bridges the gap between static paper reports and interactive business intelligence tools. Reporting Services allows users to interact with reports, thus enabling them to find the exact information they want and generate the report suited to their needs. l also analyze various components of SSRS such as Report Manager, Report Catalog, Report Server, and Report Builder.

As many organizations shift from manual labor workforces to knowledge workers, the management focus must shift as well to accommodate this change. This paper studies the creation of successful knowledge management practices by utilizing social network services and Nonaka's spiral of knowledge model. After addressing key knowledge management theories and Nonaka's knowledge creating scenarios, I examine various levels of knowledge spiral, essential organizational steps to foster knowledge creativity, and different organizational knowledge processes. The form of social networking is essential to this exploration, as are the steps to build a successful learning organization, including managing factors and activities an organization can use to enhance a learning environment. These factors will establish a positive environment where organizations can foster and encourage knowledge creation.

Teaching common computer science concepts such as recursion, concurrency, and data structures to new students in existing programming languages can be a difficult task. Visual aids such as flow charts and stack tracing are often used to assist in teaching these concepts, but by developing a programming language that is designed to graphically represent the flow of logic and data through an algorithm, the programming language can assist rather than impede teaching. The GLIF programming language is a functional language that helps reduce common mistakes made while students are learning computer science concepts. GLIF is parallel by design but done in a safe and controlled environment. The design of GLIF reduces common problems and pitfalls in threading so students can learn concepts and algorithms and not just programming.

This research aims to devise an intelligent and affordable Real Time Automated Collision Avoidance system. The main hitch in such systems is attributed to discerning the relative position of the vehicles in order to calculate the probability of a collision. To overcome the problem in the simplest manner possible, this mechanism uses a Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) modulated carrier (preferably Ultra Wide Band), which is transmitted and received by all the automobiles within the carrier range. The system consists of four transceivers fitted in different directional orientations to calculate the azimuth, speed, and distance of other automobiles in range. The processor updates the relative positions of various automobiles in real time in its data array. An intelligent scenario-based algorithm is then used to detect a probable collision and take necessary actions to ensure traffic safety. The strength of the system is characterized by adaptability, scalability, cost efficiency, and use of simplistic technology.

This presentation provides a cursory exploration into the concept of memory replacement as referred to by Dr. Maulana Karenga in the film 500 Years Later (M.K Asante, Jr., 2009). Memory replacement is a process of transforming the worldview and personal view of oppressed peoples and their culture as a mental alteration that facilitates, 'makes sense of,' and psychically accommodates oppression. It is an elaborate outgrowth of ethnic domination or racial subordination and falls under the psychology of colonialism and oppression. It is, moreover, in constant flux, always making and unmaking itself like Gramsci's model of cultural hegemony. While it arranges a structure of psychological conformation in imagery stimuli, it is ultimately a war waged in the cultural arena of Eurocentric hegemony. The presentation also uses the film and novel The Manchurian Candidate as a theoretical and comparative analysis.

Organic-inorganic hybrid nano-composite coatings were produced using silane-functional urethane precursors and photoacid generators. Upon exposure to UV-light, the silanes hydrolyze and condense to form a cross-linked film. The effects of formulation and processing parameters on the various physical properties were determined by using a Design of Experiment process. This included determining the effects of combining the silanes with titanium isopropoxide. The coatings produced had a soft, elastomeric feel with low Tg and excellent adhesion to the polycarbonate substrate. This method of using UV-exposure to force the in-situ silane hydrolysis and condensation is an alternate to traditional sol-gel processing, where aqueous solutions of silanes are allowed to hydrolyze prior to application.

Virtually connecting with family members, friends, and colleagues in cyberspace has become a way of communication and collaboration among many Internet users. Social interaction is not a new concept because social network analysis has been used in social science disciplines and even in the medical field. More recently, social networking has become a topic in computer science and information security fields. Many researchers have focused on cyber networking and information security to address some of the challenges, but there are still many risks associated with the use of social networking sites. One of the main risks of cyber networking is software insecurity distribution, which simply means that software insecurities can propagate through social networks of a computer user. This paper focuses on various techniques and methods used by hackers that cause software insecurity distribution through social networking.

This presentation discusses a technology implementation plan created as a final project in one of the presenter's technology management courses with the intention of implementing it at his workplace, an IT department at a different major midwestern university. The plan was based on Haddad's strategic partnership approach, and key elements were utilized in the final draft and during the implementation of the technology. The core philosophy of the strategic partnership approach is joint planning with all parties who will be impacted by the technology's implementation. This approach resulted in some surprisingly successful results. Theory and practice are tightly linked, and it is important that the theories of technology management taught in a classroom are practical and relevant to today's working environment. In an ideal world, a technology implementation plan created in an academic setting would easily transition to the workplace. This presentation follows the twists and turns the document took from classroom through to implementation on the job. The researcher shares his observations about what his manager and co-workers stressed as important for the document and lessons learned during the implementation of the technology.

The process of going from one physical state to another, such as a solid to a liquid and vice versa, is called phase change. Textiles that have automatic acclimatizing properties during their phase change are called Phase Change Materials (PCM). Thermal energy storage (TES) is the temporary storage of high or lower temperature energy for later use. Phase change materials possess the ability to change their state with a certain temperature range. Textiles containing PCM react immediately with changes in environmental temperature and the temperature in different areas of the body. When a rise in temperature occurs, the PCM microcapsules react by absorbing heat and storing this energy in the liquefied phase change material. When the temperature falls again, the microcapsules release this stored heat energy, and the phase change material solidifies again. Using PCM can significantly enhance the thermal insulation properties of the cold protective clothing materials.

This project developed out of the 2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom. The project required a classroom design to be developed in partnership with a school. Taking this on as an independent project, the design team collaborated with a local charter school, New Beginnings Academy in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The team had eight classroom sessions with 25 students of fourth and fifth grades. Over two and a half months, the students explored the ideas of spaces and their functions. They were also introduced to the concept of design and how design decisions could impact the quality of their learning environment. Through a series of drawing projects and classroom activities, the students identified and communicated their needs to the team. The final submission to the Open Architecture Challenge was an integration of their input and the design team's observations and research findings.

In today's interconnected digital business environment, even micro businesses face rapidly changing Information Assurance needs. A continually evolving information environment creates ongoing technical challenges. Organizations have to constantly make new choices about the best practices to mitigate current and emerging information security vulnerabilities. Small businesses (SBs) have even more challenging decisions to make about Information Assurance than large organizations, because they do not have the resources or resilience to withstand computer security risks and often do not even have either the expertise or the resources to identify and reduce those risks. SBs need simple, straightforward strategies to identify and mitigate common information assurance risks. This research will examine what information, tools, or services SBs may find readily available to help them address some Information Assurance needs and will focus on a limited number of security topics that SBs need to consider, by addressing five common vulnerabilities and threats: malicious code, stolen/lost laptops or mobile devices, spear phishing, unsecured wireless networks, and finally insider threats. Starting from these considerations small businesses will be able to identify basic Information Assurance needs from which to build a solid Information Security platform.

Building automation systems (BAS) are key when implementing energy reduction strategies into the design of a facility. The use of BAS in a facility lowers energy use, increases the occupant's comfort, and also allows off-site building control. BAS systems include temperature control, lighting control, security control, and other mechanical systems. This study will explore the use of BAS in a facility, which design strategies should be used to achieve optimal comfort, and cost and energy savings.

Operation of a computer either in the workplace or at home in today's society is almost a must. Whether staying in touch with friends and family through simple email or navigating the workplace with more complex computer operations and software, knowing how to operate is very important. Computer automation is taking over the way we operate on a daily basis. An issue with this is people who are relatively new to the technology or have never even turned on a computer and the anxiety that accompanies computer operation. The more experienced one is in years of computer use, the less anxious he or she is in operating it. This study examined the effects that computer experience and age (independent variables) have on computer anxiety (dependant variable). Data were collected from 33 people from a widely diverse group. The results show that age and computer experience do have an impact on computer anxiety.

This presentation takes a look at what is needed to create a Net Zero home, exploring energy efficient technologies necessary for implementation. I will also discuss innovations related to power consumption, technologies, trends, and human behaviors that reflect typical usage and will look at current and future projects implementing Net Zero technologies. I will make some comparisons of sustainable technologies with building standards serving as references and background.

This research will investigate the perceptions of guests to green sustainability practices in the restaurant industry to determine if guests value those practices, thus increasing the organizational Triple Bottom Line. The term triple bottom line has been used to refer to an organization adopting performance standards and practices that take into account its economic, social, and environmental activities (Dwyer, 2005; Elkington, 1997). A structured survey using a Likert-type 5-point scale with statements relating to Level of Importance, Statements of Green Practices, and Demographics was distributed to guests to fill out while dining. The survey instrument was sent to four different upscale casual restaurants, part of the same restaurant group, in three different Midwestern states. The usable study sample was 501. Correlation and regression analysis was used to answer the questions and describe the strength of the relationship of guest perceptions and attitudes concerning cost sharing of restaurant green practices.