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A Parametric Study And Economic Evaluation Of Drilling Patterns In Deep, Thick Cbm Reservoirs, Ali Omran Ali Nasar Dec 2011

A Parametric Study And Economic Evaluation Of Drilling Patterns In Deep, Thick Cbm Reservoirs, Ali Omran Ali Nasar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Over the past decade, the production from unconventional reservoirs such as coalbed methane has increased dramatically. The focal driving force for this growth in coalbed methane production was the development and promulgation of reservoir engineering and completion technology.;There have been many studies performed on the well configuration and production optimization techniques in the coal seams. According to many of these studies horizontal, deviated and multi-lateral wells are of more benefits compared to the vertical wells. However, the targets of these studies have mostly been the thin coal seams while this result might not hold for the thick CBM reservoirs. The …


Alternative Modeling Of Multiply Hydraulic Fractures In Horizontal Wells Completed In Low Permeability Formation, Mahmod S. Alkalawi Dec 2011

Alternative Modeling Of Multiply Hydraulic Fractures In Horizontal Wells Completed In Low Permeability Formation, Mahmod S. Alkalawi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Many conventional gas reservoirs around the world have been developed and well-understood on contrary to unconventional gas reservoirs where the amount of information available to the public considered still not abundant. The unconventional reservoirs (tight formation) where permeability ranges from 0.001millidarciesto micro-Darcy permeability is a relatively new area in some parts of the world and the details involving ways to increase productivity of wells and best fracture design yet has to be investigated .The unconventional gas reservoirs are important in the world due to its availability, future energy demand around the world, and most conventional gas reservoirs have already been …


Can Changes In Sr Protein Acetylation Affect Alternative Splicing?, Heather E. Knupp Dec 2011

Can Changes In Sr Protein Acetylation Affect Alternative Splicing?, Heather E. Knupp

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Cellular phenotype and function is determined by the cellular proteome. Within the cellular proteome there are processes that have a potential to significantly alter the composition of the proteome. One such process is called alternative splicing. Splicing is the removal of introns from a pre-mRNA sequence and the remaining pre-mRNA sequences, called exons, are combined. Alternative splicing modifies the intron-exon combination, and can form novel products from the different arrangement of the coding sequences. This process, due to the high potential for new, possibly unwanted products, is highly regulated and can occur in a tissue and developmental-specific fashion. The misreguation …


Low Power Wake-Up Signaling For Dense Sensor Networks, Ahmed M. Abuseta Ammar Dec 2011

Low Power Wake-Up Signaling For Dense Sensor Networks, Ahmed M. Abuseta Ammar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In wireless sensor networks, nodes are required to reduce their idle listening time in order to minimize energy consumption and increase their lifetime. The idle listening time is decreased by making the nodes remain in sleep mode and wake up only when they are required to sense or transmit information about an event. This strategy requires the source node to send a wake-up signal before it transmits data to the network. This wake-up signal requires energy and the objective of this work is to lower this signal's energy consumption.;In order to achieve this, this work uses Near Field Magnetic Induction …


Restoration Of Forested Ecosystems On The Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Melissa A. Thomas-Van Gundy Dec 2011

Restoration Of Forested Ecosystems On The Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Melissa A. Thomas-Van Gundy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The focus of resource management on National Forests is slowly changing to restoration of ecosystems and habitats. In West Virginia, the revised Land and Resource Management Plan for the Monongahela National Forest (MNF) guides resource management on the MNF. The MNF revised Forest Plan restructured management areas and goals toward restoration of red spruce dominated forests and oak and oak-pine forests in two separate management prescriptions that cover approximately 48% of the MNF. Incorporating ecosystem restoration in forest management may be guided by goals and objectives based on known previous conditions and the range of natural variability of those conditions. …


Reputation Management: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Effective Use Of Reputation Management Techniques Applied To Personal Reputations During A Crisis, Joseph A. Saulen Dec 2011

Reputation Management: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Effective Use Of Reputation Management Techniques Applied To Personal Reputations During A Crisis, Joseph A. Saulen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Understanding the concept of image has been a cornerstone of public relations since its professional beginnings in the early 20th century. However, practitioners and scholars have introduced crisis management and reputation management techniques into the repertoire of public relations relatively recently. This research study analyzes the concepts of reputation management and image and their applications in respect to people during a crisis. It uses content analysis to examine John Edwards and Eliot Spitzer; and the resultant tone of media coverage to ascertain the effectiveness of their reputation management strategies.


Hyperreal Battlefields: Individual Action And The Composition Of Enemy In Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 1 & 2, Jeffrey Allen Yeager Dec 2011

Hyperreal Battlefields: Individual Action And The Composition Of Enemy In Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 1 & 2, Jeffrey Allen Yeager

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Speculative fictions present us with stories that ask the question "what if?" In the past decades there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of speculative fiction in Western popular media. War-themed video games represent one of the most popular interactive texts that have embraced the speculative fiction genre. There is a multitude of research that examines non-fiction war games and those based loosely on some actual or historical conflict. This research diverges from that path by analyzing the narrative and structure of a series of fictional war games set in the modern era. The game presents a narrative …


A Legislative Review Of U.S. Aquaculture: A State Analysis Relating To West Virginia, Ryan M. Benninger Dec 2011

A Legislative Review Of U.S. Aquaculture: A State Analysis Relating To West Virginia, Ryan M. Benninger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This case study was designed and presented to allow a "reader-friendly" environment for aquaculture industry inquiry, specifically to pertain to West Virginia's recent surge in industry development. The sample for this thesis consisted of aquaculture producing states located within the continental U.S. The research design was qualitative descriptive that evaluated the legislative environments for each state aquaculture industry to ultimately pass recommendations for West Virginia. Of the states surveyed, it was found that 26 states enacted development acts for respective industries; 19 states were found to further develop with strategic plans. The greatest constraint discovered during this project was a …


Behavior That Hurts: Theoretical Orientation, Terminology, And Diagnosis Of Self-Injury, Susannah C. Rowan Flamm Dec 2011

Behavior That Hurts: Theoretical Orientation, Terminology, And Diagnosis Of Self-Injury, Susannah C. Rowan Flamm

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Self-injurious behavior prevalence continues to rise in both adolescent and adult non-clinical populations and within adolescent and adult clinical populations. Despite a large volume of literature regarding the antecedents and functions of self-injury, exploration of clinician factors in regard to these clients is sparse. This study examined the associations among 346 doctoral level clinicians' theoretical orientations, preferred terminology to describe self-injurious behaviors, and preferred diagnoses for clients who engage in self-injury. Therapist variables such as age, years in practice, and gender were examined for their association with terminology and diagnostic preferences. Chi-square analyses were conducted for the two-way interactions and …


The Lived Experience: Stories From Those Who Have Encountered Catastrophic Loss From Flood, Margaret R. Rateau Dec 2011

The Lived Experience: Stories From Those Who Have Encountered Catastrophic Loss From Flood, Margaret R. Rateau

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Natural disasters including flood affect thousands of people all over the world each year. As a direct result, millions of dollars in widespread damage occur in the regions directly impacted by such disasters. Analyzing stories from those who have suffered catastrophic loss from flood may offer a means to better understand what is important to the survivor from their perspective and may assist in the recovery process. The purpose of this research was to examine the lived experience of those who have experienced catastrophic loss from flood. The importance of this research and its impact on nursing knowledge development, research, …


Mine Safety Impoundment Inspection And Verification Tool: Mining And Industrial Safety Technology And Training Innovation, Eric W. Baker Dec 2011

Mine Safety Impoundment Inspection And Verification Tool: Mining And Industrial Safety Technology And Training Innovation, Eric W. Baker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this investigation primarily focuses on coal impoundment safety and early hazard potential awareness as well as addressing the need for adapting a field hardened computer so that its more advanced technology may be applied to the mining industry. The purpose was to develop a protocol based on West Virginia State and federal laws and regulations and use a mobile field computer into the inspection system for coal waste impoundments. The inspection template was constructed using paper forms presently used by MSHA and the West Virginia Water Research Institute and iterated after conducting a number of field trials. …


A Study Of The Relationship Between Participation In Marietta College's Mcdonough Leadership Program And The Leadership Development Of College Students, Dennis Mcnaboe Dec 2011

A Study Of The Relationship Between Participation In Marietta College's Mcdonough Leadership Program And The Leadership Development Of College Students, Dennis Mcnaboe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study assessed whether participation in the McDonough Leadership program had an effect on the leadership development of students at Marietta College. Participants from the freshman classes of 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 and graduating senior classes of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 took the Kouzes and Posner (2005a) Student Leadership Practices Inventory - Self and the SLPI - Observer. Marietta College provided 26 surveys along with key demographic data, including gender, race, type of McDonough Scholars (International Leadership Studies Major, Leadership Studies Minor, and Certificate of Leadership Studies), and Experiential Learning Opportunity completed (None, Internship, Study Abroad, and Service Project).;Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and …


Issues In The Care Of Farm Animals: Current History Of The Movement In Selected States, Jennifer N. Dunn Dec 2011

Issues In The Care Of Farm Animals: Current History Of The Movement In Selected States, Jennifer N. Dunn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Many animal care practices commonly accepted as a regular part of the agricultural industry are being questioned by organizations advocating for the care of farm and companion animals. The use of gestation crates for pregnant sows, veal crates for veal calves, and battery cages for egg-laying hens are being banned in some states in the United States. While appearing to be a modern phenomenon, animal rights/animal welfare issues actually can be found throughout history. The purpose of the study was to trace the history of the care of farm and companion animals movement in the United States. This included the …


Electron Paramagnetic Resonance And Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance Characterization Of Point Defects In Titanium Dioxide Crystals, Adam Brant Dec 2011

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance And Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance Characterization Of Point Defects In Titanium Dioxide Crystals, Adam Brant

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) are used to characterize several point defects in titanium dioxide (TiO2) single crystals in the rutile phase. A defect reported in 1961 by P. F. Chester called the "A Center" is assigned to a neutral hydrogen donor. Many researchers believe that the model for this S = 1/2 defect is an interstitial titanium ion (Ti3+) and that Ti3+ interstitials are the most dominant shallow donor in TiO 2. I show that the model for the A center is a neutral hydrogen donor and suggest that the Ti3+ interstitial model is not …


The Arts-Integrated Curriculum (Aic) And Its Possible Impact On The Self-Concepts Of Adolescent Girls And Their Perceptions Of Beauty: A Phenomenological Study, Miriam Roth Douglas Dec 2011

The Arts-Integrated Curriculum (Aic) And Its Possible Impact On The Self-Concepts Of Adolescent Girls And Their Perceptions Of Beauty: A Phenomenological Study, Miriam Roth Douglas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study examines what phenomena may be associated with the self-concept and perceptions of beauty of adolescent girls who completed an Arts-Integrated Curriculum (AIC) in Elementary School. It is designed to add to the descriptive data on the perceptions of beauty that students, teachers, and parents have, especially with regard to girls' concept of self in relation to the AIC learning experiences. This work is driven by a qualitative research method known as phenomenology, which describes the lived experiences of a phenomenon for a group of people (Patton, 2005). The main research data were collected from interviews with ten participants: …


Utilization Of Igs Information For Improved Real-Time Gps Positioning, Francis James Barchesky Dec 2011

Utilization Of Igs Information For Improved Real-Time Gps Positioning, Francis James Barchesky

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The estimation of a precise user's position is a difficult and complex problem. In addition, the use of geodetic grade position instruments is often not possible for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV) systems. However, the availability of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and International GNSS Service (IGS) predicted product data allows an attempt to increase the precision of a navigation algorithm, which is the aim in this thesis.;The utilization of this information within an algorithm work environment is a complex problem, requiring the development of multiple tools in order to use and access the IGS raw and product data. …


Parental Support And Pressure In Sports And Children's Anger, Sadness, And Worry Regulation, Cara A. Palmer Dec 2011

Parental Support And Pressure In Sports And Children's Anger, Sadness, And Worry Regulation, Cara A. Palmer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Despite large amounts of child sport participation, research suggests that this activity is not always associated with positive outcomes for youth. This study examined factors that might contribute to discrepant findings associated with youth sports participation. Specifically, parental pressure and support in competitive soccer families and its relation to their children's general emotion regulation were examined. Participants were 91 parent-child dyads (49 males, 42 female, 67 moms, 23 dads) with children between the ages of 8-12 years (M = 10.24, SD = 1.19). Children completed several self-report measures on their parent's pressure and support behaviors in general and in soccer, …


Mechanical Property Evaluation Of Torrefied Biomass Materials With Correlation To Grinding Efficiency, Xin Zhou Dec 2011

Mechanical Property Evaluation Of Torrefied Biomass Materials With Correlation To Grinding Efficiency, Xin Zhou

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Motivated by the transition to a more sustainable society, biomass, currently the largest renewable energy source in the world, could therefore in principle become a key energy source in the future. Co-combustion of these materials and coal can lead to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide net emissions in new and existing power plants while potentially reducing capture costs as well. However, many challenges remain to be solved before biomass can be used on a much larger scale as a sustainable energy source. Some of these challenges are related to biomass production, land management, and competition with food production; but …


The Impact Of A Modified Cooperative Learning Technique On The Grade Frequencies Observed In A Preparatory Chemistry Course, Bridget J. Hayes Russell Dec 2011

The Impact Of A Modified Cooperative Learning Technique On The Grade Frequencies Observed In A Preparatory Chemistry Course, Bridget J. Hayes Russell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This dissertation explored the impact of a modified cooperative learning technique on the final grade frequencies observed in a large preparatory chemistry course designed for pre-science majors. Although the use of cooperative learning at all educational levels is well researched and validated in the literature, traditional lectures still dominate as the primary methodology of teaching. This study modified cooperative learning techniques by addressing commonly cited reasons for not using the methodology. Preparatory chemistry students were asked to meet in cooperative groups outside of class time to complete homework assignments. A chi-square goodness-of-fit revealed that the final grade frequency distributions observed …


Educators' Perceptions Of Preparation And Practice For Teaching Algebra I To Students With Mathematical Learning Disabilities, Sararose Devore Lynch Dec 2011

Educators' Perceptions Of Preparation And Practice For Teaching Algebra I To Students With Mathematical Learning Disabilities, Sararose Devore Lynch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to describe the current state of Algebra I instruction for students with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD) in West Virginia and teachers. preparation for this practice, as perceived by teachers. Further, this study examined the extent teachers. instructional practices for teaching students with MLD Algebra I aligned with best practices recommended in the research literature. Fifty-seven educators from West Virginia who taught Algebra I to students with Mathematical Learning Disabilities completed the Survey of Instructional Practices Implemented by Algebra I General and Special Educators When Educating Students with a MLD. In addition, a …


Mothers' Accuracy And Bias In Predicting Their Toddlers Performance On The Bayley Scales Of Infant Development, Darcey N. Powell Dec 2011

Mothers' Accuracy And Bias In Predicting Their Toddlers Performance On The Bayley Scales Of Infant Development, Darcey N. Powell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study evaluated mothers' specific knowledge of their own toddlers' development. Mothers' predictions of their toddlers' performance on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID-II) were compared to their toddlers' performance on each task. In addition, mothers' accuracy in their predictions and toddlers' performance was compared to the toddlers' display of emotional behaviors during the assessment. Mothers (N = 68, Mage = 31.31 years) with toddlers between the ages of 19 and 26 months (M age = 21.76 months) completed demographic questionnaires, measures assessing their perceived parenting self-efficacy, their knowledge of developmental norms, and their expectation for their …


Multi Agent System Based Fault Location In A Smart Microgrid System, Seetaram Alwala Dec 2011

Multi Agent System Based Fault Location In A Smart Microgrid System, Seetaram Alwala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The electric power grid is inherently a huge network that has been going through a lot of transformation because of its restructuring and increase in the deployment of Distributed Generation. The steep increase in electricity demand and the large financial losses caused by the blackouts has initiated research towards increasing the security and robustness of the electric grid and making it a Smart Grid. Smart Grids might incorporate MicroGrids, which can be defined as low to medium voltage networks that contain aggregation of certain loads and Distribution Generation units that can operate in either grid-connected or islanded mode. One of …


Repression Of Phlpp By Mir-190 Contributes To Arsenic-Induced Akt Activation And Carcinogenesis, Kevin John Beezhold Dec 2011

Repression Of Phlpp By Mir-190 Contributes To Arsenic-Induced Akt Activation And Carcinogenesis, Kevin John Beezhold

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Arsenic is a well-studied human carcinogen. The mechanism by which arsenic induces cancer, however, is not fully understood. It is known that as a general stress inducer, arsenic can activate kinases, such as mitogen-activated protein kinases, leading to over activation of transcription factors. These transcription factors, including AP-1, NF-kB and Myc, are known to regulate the expression of early response genes, and likely to regulate miRNAs. The expression of miRNAs is often altered in cancer and other proliferative disorders. It is highly probable that miRNAs whose expressions are altered by arsenic will play a significant role in carcinogenesis. To test …


The Historical Industrial Development, Regional Economic Analysis, And Household Livelihood Strategies Of A Rural Pennsylvania Community: A Case Study, Amanda. L. Krugh Dec 2011

The Historical Industrial Development, Regional Economic Analysis, And Household Livelihood Strategies Of A Rural Pennsylvania Community: A Case Study, Amanda. L. Krugh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This dissertation research focuses on the case study area of Mount Union, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. This three part dissertation research project includes analysis of the historical industrial development, current economy, and household livelihood strategies of this rural community. The regulation approach is utilized in this paper to analyze the historic economic development associated with manufacturing, specifically brick manufacturing, in the case study area. Quantitative techniques are used to indentify the economic structure of a region and used to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Huntingdon County economy. Qualitative methods are utlized to examine what economic and social adjustments and …


Community Leadership Motivation: Factors That Influence Individuals Holding Leadership Roles In West Virginia Communities, Kelly Nix Dec 2011

Community Leadership Motivation: Factors That Influence Individuals Holding Leadership Roles In West Virginia Communities, Kelly Nix

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Community organizations play a vital role in a community's quality of life. Many organizations must count on volunteers to provide core services (Clary, Snyder & Ridge, 1992). Over the years, the volunteer rate has declined in West Virginia (Volunteering in America, 2010). The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence individuals holding volunteer leadership roles in communities. The population for the study was 577 members of the West Virginia Regional Planning and Development Council and the West Virginia Economic Development Council. The participants received a mailed survey that included 89 questions. Seventy of the 89 questions …


Nesting Biology Of Osmia Cornifrons: Implications For Population Management, Matthew Mckinney Dec 2011

Nesting Biology Of Osmia Cornifrons: Implications For Population Management, Matthew Mckinney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The Japanese hornfaced bee, Osmia cornifrons (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is a palearctic mason bee managed for the pollination of early season fruit crops such as apple and blueberry. Since its adoption as a managed pollinator in Japan during the 1940s, a large body of literature has amassed with the goal of enhancing O. cornifrons management practices. This research makes important contributions to that literature in two ways. First, the research describes the in-nest relationship of O. cornifrons and the cleptoparasitic mite pest Chaetodactylus krombeini. Distribution of male and female O. cornifrons and of C. krombeini was determined using linear and non-linear …


The Social Transformation Of Coffee Houses: The Emergence Of Chain Establishments And The Private Nature Of Usage, Dawn Marie Lozzi Dec 2011

The Social Transformation Of Coffee Houses: The Emergence Of Chain Establishments And The Private Nature Of Usage, Dawn Marie Lozzi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Much attention is given to Ray Oldenburg's (1989) concept of third places as environments that offer visitors friendship and a sense of community. However, given that coffee houses have moved from small-scale businesses to chain-owned and many people now use them to work on laptops, this idealized image of the coffee house also may be changing. Few empirical studies have addressed such possibilities. Using unobtrusive observation data on three independently-owned coffee houses and three chain-based coffee houses, this research examines the concept of third places to better understand the ways in which modern coffee houses live up to Oldenburg's social …


Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Flexible Structures: Low Temperature Deposition Of Silver Conductive Tracks On Flexible Substrates, Phillip R. Mcelfresh Dec 2011

Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Flexible Structures: Low Temperature Deposition Of Silver Conductive Tracks On Flexible Substrates, Phillip R. Mcelfresh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The ability to atmospherically deposit conductive patterns on flexible polymeric substrates has recently gained considerable interest as an alternative to vacuum processes. This is because it can potentially lead to highly efficient and reliable transparent electrode components that can be used in lightweight and flexible optoelectronic devices such as sensors, solar panels, touch screens, displays and solid state lighting. Common approaches to fabricate transparent conductors include the physical deposition of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films on polymer substrates. This is leading to mechanically brittle components which are fabricated using costly vacuum coating equipment. It is therefore important to research an …


Experimental Analysis Of The Post-Failure Behavior Of Coal And Rock Under Laboratory Compression Tests, Dachao Neil Nie Dec 2011

Experimental Analysis Of The Post-Failure Behavior Of Coal And Rock Under Laboratory Compression Tests, Dachao Neil Nie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

A major aspect of coal mine design is the structural stability of the mine. For establishing structural stability, the strength of the strata is determined by recovering the cores. The strength is determined through various methods and one method in particular is the Uniaxial Compressive Strength of the rock, which is commonly adopted as the standard strength indicator. However, in-situ behavior by past researchers have shown that rock and coal show significant residual strength contrary to the failure path observed in a conventional compression tests. Researchers in past had used stiff system for generating the post failure behavior of the …


Scalar Imperialism, Janice M. Hardin Dec 2011

Scalar Imperialism, Janice M. Hardin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The dual research goals of this dissertation are to first develop the geographic concept 'scalar imperialism' and use scalar imperialism to re-examine the expansion and continued superiority of Western capitalism in four systemic cycles of accumulation. Scalar imperialism is a concept that melds theories on the social production of scale with the dialectical relations between capitalism, imperialism, and the state. One significant aim of this research study is to bring imperialism back into the critical discussion on the social production of space, scale, and social relations under a globalized capitalist system. This research study adopts a long historical perspective and …