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Evaluation Of Performance Graded Asphalt Binder Equipment And Testing Protocol, Michael E. Pumphrey Dec 2003

Evaluation Of Performance Graded Asphalt Binder Equipment And Testing Protocol, Michael E. Pumphrey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The testing and grading of asphalt cement has progressively changed to meet the demanding needs for quality hot mix asphalt pavements. From October 1987 through March 1993, the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) conducted a {dollar}50 million research effort to improve asphalt pavement technology. The research led to the development of the Superpave(TM) mix design system (Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements) and the Performance Graded (PG) asphalt binder tests and specifications. The Performance Graded asphalt binder specifications were developed to address the shortcomings of the previous asphalt grading systems.;The objective of this research was to critically evaluate the SHRP performance graded …


Temporal Control And Response Strength In A Free -Operant Psychophysical Procedure, Lori M. Lieving Dec 2003

Temporal Control And Response Strength In A Free -Operant Psychophysical Procedure, Lori M. Lieving

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of the present experiments was to examine the relation between timing and response strength. Pigeons responded on a two-component multiple schedule consisting of the free-operant psychophysical procedure, in which trials lasted 50 s. During the first 25 s of each trial, responding on the left key was reinforced according to a variable interval (VI) schedule of reinforcement. During the second 25 s of each trial, responding on the right key was reinforced according to a VI schedule of reinforcement. In Experiment 1, responding in one component was maintained by a VI 30-s schedule (rich component) and responding in …


Ecology And Management Of Raccoons Within An Intensively Managed Forest In The Central Appalachians, Sheldon F. Owen Dec 2003

Ecology And Management Of Raccoons Within An Intensively Managed Forest In The Central Appalachians, Sheldon F. Owen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The raccoon (Procyon lotor), a generalist meso-predator, is commonly found throughout the eastern United States. Many researchers have examined the ecology and spatial requirements of raccoons in agricultural and wetland areas of the mid-western and southeastern United States. However, no studies have quantitatively examined raccoon habits in the forested central Appalachians and their response to forest management. During the fall of 2000 through the spring of 2003, I monitored the spatial movements and den site selection of raccoons within an intensively managed forest.;I investigated the occurrence of raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) in raccoons (Procyon lotor) within my study area. I …


Utilization Of *Assessment By Maryland Cooperative Extension Faculty, Jennifer Thorn Bentlejewski Dec 2003

Utilization Of *Assessment By Maryland Cooperative Extension Faculty, Jennifer Thorn Bentlejewski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The research study explored the degree of faculty utilization of assessment practices at the class, program, and institutional levels within the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. Differences in assessment utilization among faculty of various ranks and disciplines were examined. Faculty perceptions of the benefits and challenges of implementing assessment were also investigated. A quantitative research approach guided the study, which utilized a 78-item survey. Descriptive statistics, multivariate analyses of variance, and analyses of variance were used to analyze the quantitative data. In addition to the survey instrument, a qualitative analysis of data was conducted with regard to learning outcomes and …


Simplified Live-Load Moment Distribution Factors For Simple Span Slab On I-Girder Bridges, Wesley D. Hevener Dec 2003

Simplified Live-Load Moment Distribution Factors For Simple Span Slab On I-Girder Bridges, Wesley D. Hevener

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The primary goal of this effort is to identify and assess various methods of computing live load distribution factors and to use the results of laboratory and field tests to compare these methods. It is further a goal of this work to use these methods to perform a parametric study over a wide range of typical slab on steel I-girder bridges to assess the accuracy of both the AASHTO Standard and AASHTO LRFD specifications and to propose an empirical model that correlates better with the analytical results within the range of parameters that are to be studied.;These studies include: (1) …


Standardization Of Test Methods For Property Evaluation Of Frp Bars, Vijay Kumar Tripathi Dec 2003

Standardization Of Test Methods For Property Evaluation Of Frp Bars, Vijay Kumar Tripathi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The objective of this research is to verify/modify/develop standardized test methods for evaluating mechanical properties of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bars by conducting limited complementary tests to determine/verify their mechanical properties. Both short and long-term tests were conducted as a part of this research. Short-term tests included tension, flexure, shear and bond property evaluations. Long-term tests included evaluation of moisture absorption and flexural tests on aged bars. A total of 229 FRP bars with different fibers (carbon, glass and aramid), varying diameters (# 3 to #8) and surface textures (ribbed, sand-coated, and sand-coated with helical wraps) were tested under this …


Winter Habitat Use Of Fishes In The Ohio River, Benjamin Ernst Lenz Dec 2003

Winter Habitat Use Of Fishes In The Ohio River, Benjamin Ernst Lenz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Winter is a critical period during which fishes may suffer increased mortality. To identify the habitats that fishes use in large rivers during winter conditions, we electrofished six habitat types in the Belleville Pool, Ohio River. We collected the greatest diversity and numbers of fishes in low-velocity tributary confluences when water temperatures were >4°C. When water temperatures were <4°C, certain species were collected in greater abundance in faster-velocity main channel and back channel habitats while other species continued to associate with lower flows in tributary mouths. Differing habitat use between species obscures broad generalizations about when and how fishes use overwintering refuges. In an additional habitat sampled, an embayment, 85% of all fishes collected were juveniles. Centrarchids, rarely collected in the mainstem portion of the river, were one of the dominant fishes collected in the embayment. Protecting large river embayments may prove important for managing recreational sunfish fisheries.


Population Level Dynamics Of Grasshopper Sparrow Populations Breeding On Reclaimed Mountaintop Mines In West Virginia, Frank K. Ammer Dec 2003

Population Level Dynamics Of Grasshopper Sparrow Populations Breeding On Reclaimed Mountaintop Mines In West Virginia, Frank K. Ammer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

During 2001 and 2002, I surveyed three mountaintop mining/valley fill (MTMVF) complexes in southern West Virginia to determine vegetation characteristics important to nest site selection and to estimate nest success for Grasshopper Sparrow populations inhabiting these complexes. I also performed genetic analyses to assess overall population structure, mating system, parentage, kinship, and gender of individuals comprising these populations. A total of 415 grasshopper sparrows were captured and systematic searches of study plots produced 75 active nests. Nest survival for 2001--2002 breeding season (33%) is comparable to survival rates previously reported in the literature. Nest survival rates decreased with increased reclamation …


Empirical Development Of A Scale Of Patience, Kenneth C. Dudley Dec 2003

Empirical Development Of A Scale Of Patience, Kenneth C. Dudley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Patience is a construct not directly studied in the literature. Studies in the psychological literature have typically spoken of patience only as the converse of impatience. The assumption of these studies is that patience exists in the absence of impatience. However, other research proposes a multidimensional model of patience based on qualitative studies. It follows from the multidimensional model that patience exists on a continuum with the potential for different levels or amounts of patience across different situations. The purpose of this study was to develop an objective measure of patience.;To develop a measure of patience an item pool was …


Impacts On Terrestrial And Streamside Herpetofauna By Mountaintop Removal Mining In Southern West Virginia, Jennifer Mravintz Williams Dec 2003

Impacts On Terrestrial And Streamside Herpetofauna By Mountaintop Removal Mining In Southern West Virginia, Jennifer Mravintz Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Mountaintop removal mining, a mining technique used in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and nearby states, converts mature forests to grassland and shrub-pole habitats. I sampled terrestrial herpetofauna using drift fences with pitfalls and funnel traps from 2000--2002 to evaluate habitat use of unmined native habitat (intact forest), mined habitat (reclaimed grassland, reclaimed shrub-pole habitat, and fragmented forest), and early successional off-mine habitats that were created by other types of disturbance and were structurally similar to reclaimed grasslands and reclaimed shrubpole habitats. I searched transects in valley fill and reference streams from 2001--2002 to evaluate impacts of valley fill …


Metallothionein Isoform 3 Expression In Human Bladder Urothelium, Seongmi Park Dec 2003

Metallothionein Isoform 3 Expression In Human Bladder Urothelium, Seongmi Park

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The third isoform of metallothionein, MT-3 is shown to have a restricted pattern of tissue distribution with expression confined to the neural tissue. Previous work done by this laboratory has shown that MT-3 is not expressed in the normal bladder but is over-expressed in bladder cancer with levels correlating to the type and grade of tumor. Recently, a new bladder epithelial cell line UROtsa has been characterized that does not express the MT-3 gene and may serve as a useful in vitro model system of the normal human urothelium. The goal of this study was to see the effect of …


Crack Detection Technique For Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks, Indumathi Chera Dec 2003

Crack Detection Technique For Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks, Indumathi Chera

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study describes the instrumentation and test results of a reinforced concrete bridge deck constructed on 3-span continuous steel girders. The instrumented bridge is located in Evansville, West Virginia at the intersection of US Route 50 East and WV 92 South. An instrumentation system is developed and implemented specifically to measure and monitor the growth of cracks along the wheel path. The system consists of 30 crack-meters embedded in concrete over the bottom layer of the reinforcement. The crack-meter readings are automatically collected every 20 minutes together with the readings from other sensors that were placed in concrete and on …


Evaluation Of 4.75 Mm Superpave Mix Criteria For West Virginia, David Diazgranados Diaz Dec 2003

Evaluation Of 4.75 Mm Superpave Mix Criteria For West Virginia, David Diazgranados Diaz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this research was to evaluate design parameters for 4.75 mm nominal maximum aggregate size mixes, NMAS, in West Virginia. This research was divided in two phases. During Phase I, evaluation of Superpave criteria for 4.75 mm LAMAS mixes, a variety of 4.75 mm NMAS limestone mixes were developed following Superpave methodology for low traffic volume. In Phase II, natural sand evaluation for 4.75 mm mixes; three approved Marshall designs were obtained from the WVDOT. Two of the mixes contained natural sand and the other was a 100 percent limestone mix. The Marshall mix designs were verified and …


Characterization And Recommendations For The Remediation Of Acid Mine Drainage Impacted Streams, Patrick F. Hudnall Dec 2003

Characterization And Recommendations For The Remediation Of Acid Mine Drainage Impacted Streams, Patrick F. Hudnall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The Beaver Creek watershed (located in West Virginia) has been severely impacted by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) from surface mining operations. Water quality was monitored via water quality grab samples, in-situ water quality monitoring devices (YSI Sondes), and fish and macroinvertebrate community sampling. High concentrations of metal ions (Fe, Mn, Al, and SO 4) and acidity along with low pH and alkalinity values were observed from water quality sampling sites. The water quality data collected from the in-situ monitoring devices and fish and macroinvertebrate sampling supported the findings from the water quality grab sampling. Recommendations were made for the remediation, …


Geologic Feature Prediction Using Roof Bolter Drilling Parameters, Benjamin T. Mirabile Dec 2003

Geologic Feature Prediction Using Roof Bolter Drilling Parameters, Benjamin T. Mirabile

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The design of a safe and efficient roof support system is essential for any underground coal mining operation. All underground coal mines in the United States install roof bolts with a roof bolter as the primary means of supporting the mine roof. Proper application of roof bolting is dependent upon knowledge of the mine roof geology.;Recently developed control and data acquisition technologies allow the drilling performance of these roof bolters to be monitored on a real-time basis. Drilling data collected from these machines can be used to determine geological features present in the mine roof. A J. H. Fletcher & …


Flow Characterization Of The Ul Smoke Box And Spot-Type Smoke Detectors, Christopher P. Menchini Dec 2003

Flow Characterization Of The Ul Smoke Box And Spot-Type Smoke Detectors, Christopher P. Menchini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The scope of this research involves the first known effort at designing a highly detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to characterize the flow fields with the UL Smoke Box and a spot type smoke detector within the test section of the smoke box. The proposed CFD model, designed to reflect the same measured conditions in the UL Smoke Box, was developed and validated through experimental velocity data using laser Doppler and hot-wire anemometry. With excellent qualitative comparisons between experimental and computational results, flow characterization using the laminar flow model available in the commercial software package FluentRTM was sufficiently achieved. …


Reducing Of Iron Corrosion In Water Pipelines By Hydrogen Addition, Feraih Sh. Alenazey Dec 2003

Reducing Of Iron Corrosion In Water Pipelines By Hydrogen Addition, Feraih Sh. Alenazey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Water is provided to the citizenry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by the desalination of seawater. The purified water is then transported through extensive pipelines to the cities where it is used. During the process of transport the water becomes polluted with soluble iron.;The corrosion of iron in the pipelines is the result of an oxidation reduction reaction. In that reaction hydrogen ion is reduced and the iron is oxidized. The hypothesis of this thesis is that the electrochemical potential of the hydrogen half-cell reaction can be reduce by dissolution of hydrogen gas in the water. If that value …


Gender Stereotypes In Children's Television Commercials And The Effects On Consumer Purchasing Behavior, Joanne G. Asztalos Dec 2003

Gender Stereotypes In Children's Television Commercials And The Effects On Consumer Purchasing Behavior, Joanne G. Asztalos

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This research presents an exploratory investigation on the extent of gender stereotypes portrayed in children's television commercials and the effects on consumer purchasing behavior. The author conducted two studies including a content analysis of viewing 75 children's television commercials, 25 boy, 25 girl, 25 neutral, and documenting evidence of roles, traits, activities, products, speaking parts and settings. Qualitative focus groups were then conducted to correlate the documented gender stereotypes with purchasing behaviors among children between the ages of 6--12. Major findings for this research revealed that there are many gender stereotypes in children's television commercials including the issue that male …


Relationship Marketing Elements In Radio Station Websites, Mark L. Atkinson Dec 2003

Relationship Marketing Elements In Radio Station Websites, Mark L. Atkinson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not radio station website designers effectively use relationship marketing to achieve the goals of the stations and their websites. The study is a comparison/content analysis of the websites of 150 radio stations, in three different formats, in the top 50 U.S. population centers. This study compared the results of a content analysis with the results of a 2000 Edison/Arbitron survey which asked respondents to rank 14 website features according to what those replying considered important. This study sought to determine whether the more popular features actually appeared on more websites …


Laboratory Experiments In Thermal Sciences, Christopher K. Jackson Dec 2003

Laboratory Experiments In Thermal Sciences, Christopher K. Jackson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Study of the basic sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, etc.) requires experimental verification to support the theory developed in the classroom. Engineering solutions are the same in their need for verification. In an academic environment this verification comes in the form of laboratory courses. The link to applications is equally important as the demonstration of theory. This is especially true for engineering disciplines due to the nature of tasks engineers are expected to successfully complete in industry. It is vital for the engineer's career that he/she can successfully apply the background theory learned in university study to real world applications.;The Department …


Comparison Of Classification Methods For Perspiration-Based Liveness Algorithm, Sujan T. V. Parthasaradhi Dec 2003

Comparison Of Classification Methods For Perspiration-Based Liveness Algorithm, Sujan T. V. Parthasaradhi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In the modern world there is a need for security. Biometric technologies provide a means for providing this security. Of the many different available biometric technologies, fingerprint recognition is the most popular. As with all security measures, biometric devices may be subject to attacks on the system. Fingerprint scanners may be susceptible to spoofing using artificial materials, or in the worst case, dismembered fingers. Liveness, i.e. to determine whether the introduced biometric is coming from a live source, has been suggested as a means to circumvent attacks that use spoof fingers. It has been shown that water based casting materials …


Seasonal Movements Of Yellow-Phase American Eels ( Anguilla Rostrata) In The Shenandoah River, West Virginia, Stephen D. Hammond Dec 2003

Seasonal Movements Of Yellow-Phase American Eels ( Anguilla Rostrata) In The Shenandoah River, West Virginia, Stephen D. Hammond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

American eels undergo extensive upstream migration in Atlantic coastal river systems. Few studies, however, have focused on movements of large yellow-phase American eels near dams in upper watersheds of Atlantic coastal rivers. We examined relationships between stream flow, water temperature, and lunar phase, and movements of radio-tagged yellow-phase American eels (518--810 mm TL) near Millville hydroelectric dam in the lower Shenandoah River, West. Movements of yellow-phase American eels differed among seasons. Water temperature and stream flow were associated with upstream migration during spring. Downstream movements during fall corresponded with decreasing water temperatures and darker nights near the new moon. Localized …


Soil Characterization, Classification, And Biomass Accumulation In The Otter Creek Wilderness, Jamie Schnably Dec 2003

Soil Characterization, Classification, And Biomass Accumulation In The Otter Creek Wilderness, Jamie Schnably

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study evaluated soils of the Otter Creek Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest. Thirteen sites were sampled and analyzed according to landscape position: three terrace soils (T), four ridgetop soils (R), three sideslope soils with argillic horizons (SSA), and three sideslope soils with cambic horizons (SSC). At each site, one pedon was described and sampled, and biomass data were collected. Standard chemical and physical properties, clay mineralogy, extractable sulfate and sulfated adsorption capacity were analyzed. The SSA soils had the highest pH, the most diverse vegetation, and the highest base saturation. These soils had a low risk for acid …


Years Of Teaching Experience And Descriptions Of Educational Situations, Dana J. Stapleford Dec 2003

Years Of Teaching Experience And Descriptions Of Educational Situations, Dana J. Stapleford

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study examined the relationship between years of teaching experience and the type of descriptions given of educational situations. Participants were certified teachers with 1 to 27 years of teaching experience and preservice teachers with 0 years of teaching experience. A coding system was developed as an objective method for extracting participants' descriptions of actions and consequences pertaining to student and teacher behavior. Results did not support the original hypothesis that a relationship would be found between years of teaching experience and the descriptions made. However, several other relationships among certain characteristics of the descriptions were found.;The typical description made …


National Survey Of Psychological Practices Across Rural And Urban Communities, Craig M. Helbok Dec 2003

National Survey Of Psychological Practices Across Rural And Urban Communities, Craig M. Helbok

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this study was to examine potential differences in the practice of psychology across urban and rural communities. The review of the rural literature suggests that psychologists in rural areas are likely to encounter numerous ethical dilemmas and problems that are related specifically to the characteristics of such communities. To date, however, much of this literature has been based on theory and the individual experiences of practitioners. This study sought to quantify any differences in the practice of psychology across communities for such ethical issues as multiple relationships, competency, burnout, confidentiality, and visibility in the community. A survey …


Reaction Engineering Study Of Natural Gas Hydrate Formation In Special Packed -Bed Reactors By Controlling The Boundary Layer Surfaces Of The Gas -Liquid -Solid Phases, Budhijanto Budhijanto Dec 2003

Reaction Engineering Study Of Natural Gas Hydrate Formation In Special Packed -Bed Reactors By Controlling The Boundary Layer Surfaces Of The Gas -Liquid -Solid Phases, Budhijanto Budhijanto

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Natural gas hydrates (NGH) are crystalline compounds that consist of water and natural gas (NG) molecules. By hydrogen bonds, water molecules form a regular lattice structure containing many cavities. NG molecules occupy the cavities, and therefore stabilize the cavities. NGH are considered to be one of the most potential alternative world energy resources. The applications of NGH in other fields, such as NG purification, storage, and transportation, are also possible. To obtain the full benefits of all the possible applications of NGH, a full understanding of the kinetics of NGH formation is needed.;Strictly speaking, the experimental works of reproducible intrinsic …


Influence Of Live -Load Deflections On Superstructure Performance Of Slab On Steel Stringer Bridges, Haiyong Wu Dec 2003

Influence Of Live -Load Deflections On Superstructure Performance Of Slab On Steel Stringer Bridges, Haiyong Wu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

High performance steel (HPS), specifically HPS 70W, was introduced to the bridge market in the United States in the late 1990s. With its added strength, greater durability, and improved weldability, HPS allows engineers to design longer and shallower spans, which may increase the live-load deflections. The AASHTO Standard Specification limits live-load deflections to L/800 for ordinary bridges and L/1000 for bridges in urban areas subjected to pedestrian use. Bridges designed by the AASHTO LRFD Specification have an optional deflection limit. Previous research focused on evaluating AASHTO live-load deflection limits showed that the justification for existing deflection limits was not clearly …


Generalized Nowhere Zero Flow, Jingjing Chen Dec 2003

Generalized Nowhere Zero Flow, Jingjing Chen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Let G be an undirected graph, A be an (additive) abelian group and A* = A - {lcub}0{rcub}. A graph G is A-connected if G has an orientation D(G) such that for every function b : V(G ) A satisfying Sv∈VG b(v) = 0, there is a function f : E(G) A* such that at each vertex v ∈ V(G), ∂f(v), the net flow out from v, equals b( v). An A-nowhere-zero-flow (abbreviated as A-NZF) in G is a function f : E(G) A* such that at each vertex v ∈ V(G), ∂f(v) = 0.;In this paper, we investigate the …


Evaluation Of Concrete Median Barrier Delineation Under Poor Visibility Conditions, Kari A. French Dec 2003

Evaluation Of Concrete Median Barrier Delineation Under Poor Visibility Conditions, Kari A. French

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

A nationwide survey, durability test, and visibility test were conducted for concrete median barrier delineation. PENNDOT was encountering with delineators becoming detached due to harsh conditions in the roadside areas, as well as visibility problems in spot locations prone to fog. From the results of the research it was recommended that in areas prone to poor visibility conditions, PENNDOT consider decreasing the longitudinal spacing and providing delineation lower on the barrier than shown in the standards. With respect to the durability, in instances where the "peel-n-stick" delineators are comparable in price to obtaining the delineator and adhesive separately, that special …


Ersatz, George M. Horton Jr. Dec 2003

Ersatz, George M. Horton Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

My work attempts to develop the relationship between optical and formal painting traditions in modernism via the literal surface of the painting and the object or objects represented. They are arranged to create an effect of simultaneous emergence and dissolution. They represent the falsely temporal aspects of the perceived world, the concretization of which only exists in the mind of the viewer. This thesis statement will address issues of surface and illusionism in modern pictorial theory and the importance of perception verses objectification. In addition I will discuss the subject matter, composition, and techniques employed to create the works. I …