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Edge Curling Effect On Interface Delamination Of Concrete Overlays For Bridge Decks, Tao Hong
Edge Curling Effect On Interface Delamination Of Concrete Overlays For Bridge Decks, Tao Hong
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Deterioration of reinforced concrete bridge decks caused by various environmental conditions and traffic loads is a problem of significant concern. A protective thin overlay of about 2-inches is typically placed over newly constructed concrete bridge decks. Concrete overlay mixtures offer high resistance to traffic loads and environmental attacks, and often serve as leveling finished surfaces. A critical problem however has been the debonding and delamination propagation of the interface between overlay and substrate concrete, as observed in several bridges in West Virginia. Several studies indicated that during early-age of overlay curing, the debonding usually starts at corners or edges of …
The Effect Of Student Self -Described Learning Styles Within Two Models Of Teaching In An Introductory Data Mining Course, Matthew A. North
The Effect Of Student Self -Described Learning Styles Within Two Models Of Teaching In An Introductory Data Mining Course, Matthew A. North
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This dissertation examines the roles of learning styles and teaching methodologies within a data mining educational program designed for non-Computer Science undergraduate college students. The experimental design is framed by a discussion of the history and development of data mining and education, as well as a vision for its future.;Data mining is a relatively new discipline which has grown out of the fields of database management and data warehousing, statistics, logic, and decision sciences. Over the course of its approximately 15 year history, data mining has emerged from its genesis within the academic and commercial research and development arenas to …
Use Of Data Mining For Investigation Of Crime Patterns, Manoday D. Padhye
Use Of Data Mining For Investigation Of Crime Patterns, Manoday D. Padhye
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Lot of research is being done to improve the utilization of crime data. This thesis deals with the design and implementation of a crime database and associated search methods to identify crime patterns from the database. The database was created in Microsoft SQL Server (back end). The user interface (front end) and the crime pattern identification software (middle tier) were implemented in ASP.NET. Such a web based approach enables the user to utilize the database from anywhere and at anytime. A general ARFF file can also be generated, for the user in Windows based format to use other Data Mining …
Efficient Simulation Of Communication Systems On A Desktop Grid, Raja Sekhar Katuri
Efficient Simulation Of Communication Systems On A Desktop Grid, Raja Sekhar Katuri
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Simulation is an important part of the design cycle of modern communication systems. As communication systems grow more sophisticated, the computational burden of these simulations can become excessive. The need to rapidly bring systems to market generally precludes the use of a single computer, and drives a demand for parallel computation. While this demand could be satisfied by the development of dedicated infrastructure, a more efficient option is to harness the unused computational cycles of underutilized desktop computers located throughout the organization.;In this thesis, a new paradigm for parallelizing communication simulations is proposed and developed. A desktop grid is created …
Enhanced Iris Recognition: Algorithms For Segmentation, Matching And Synthesis, Samir Shah
Enhanced Iris Recognition: Algorithms For Segmentation, Matching And Synthesis, Samir Shah
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This thesis addresses the issues of segmentation, matching, fusion and synthesis in the context of irises and makes a four-fold contribution. The first contribution of this thesis is a post matching algorithm that observes the structure of the differences in feature templates to enhance recognition accuracy. The significance of the scheme is its robustness to inaccuracies in the iris segmentation process. Experimental results on the CASIA database indicate the efficacy of the proposed technique. The second contribution of this thesis is a novel iris segmentation scheme that employs Geodesic Active Contours to extract the iris from the surrounding structures. The …
Child Distress During Immunization: The Influence Of Child And Parent Individual Difference Variables, Melissa Demore
Child Distress During Immunization: The Influence Of Child And Parent Individual Difference Variables, Melissa Demore
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Routine childhood immunization injections result child distress, which may have lasting negative effects on children, parents, and staff, and impact adherence to schedules of immunization. Aims of the current study were to (a) examine the role of child and parent individual difference variables in relation to child immunization distress, and (b) determine whether child distress predicts future immunization schedule adherence.;Parents of 50 children (aged 12--18 months) attending a visit to a pediatric medical clinic for purposes of immunization completed measures of child temperament, parent psychopathology, immunization beliefs, and prior medical distress of the child. Child distress during the immunization injection …
The Effects Of Age, Instructions, And Problem Content On Everyday Problem -Solving Outcome Using Two Scoring Procedures, Tara L. Neely
The Effects Of Age, Instructions, And Problem Content On Everyday Problem -Solving Outcome Using Two Scoring Procedures, Tara L. Neely
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Prior literature has relied on varied methodology to infer conclusions about adult problem solvers; possibly leading to erroneous assumptions about everyday problem-solving performance in adulthood. The present study examined everyday problem-solving performance of 133 younger, middle-aged, and older adults. The goal of the study was to investigate whether different scoring procedures (number vs. strategy type) or participant instructions (self target vs. others target) affected how adults performed on two types of open-ended problem-solving vignettes (home vs. friend problem domains). Differential age patterns were found when comparing the number and types of strategies reported. When assessing total number of solutions generated, …
Effectiveness Of "Counseling As A Related Service" In Hawaii's Public Schools As Measured By The Behavior Assessment System For Children, Second Edition (Basc-2), Gregory A. Lobb
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This study examined the effectiveness of "counseling as a related service" in Hawaii's public schools by examining the improvement on a teacher rating scale and also examining counseling minutes received by these same students. This study utilized 346 students receiving Level 4 and Level 5 services who were first refereed for "counseling as a related service" during the first quarter of 2055. Improvement is measured using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) (Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004). Findings revealed that counseling interventions indicated statistically significant change in T Scores on the BASC-2 from Pre assessment to Post assessment. …
Lossless Compression And Neuron Structure Extraction For Fluorescence Microscopy Confocal Neuron Images, Yong Zhang
Lossless Compression And Neuron Structure Extraction For Fluorescence Microscopy Confocal Neuron Images, Yong Zhang
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
To study the development of nervous systems, biologists are interested in neurite outgrowth, differentiation, synapse formation, and plasticity. High throughput neuron image processing is an important method for drug screening and quantitative neurobiological studies. The power of high-throughput processing comes from the automated fluorescence microscopy imaging techniques that make it possible and facile to visualize the complicated biological processes on the cellular and molecular levels and allow fast and cheap acquisition of such imaging data. With this method, a huge number of images are generated, with resolutions at length scales that are small enough to resolve neuron structures. Thus, one …
Left Arm Of The Republic: The Department Of The Pacific During The Civil War, James Robbins Jewell
Left Arm Of The Republic: The Department Of The Pacific During The Civil War, James Robbins Jewell
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Although the Civil War was fought largely in the East it was a transcontinental war. Securing the Far West for the Union played an important, though secondary role in the northern war effort. When most of the Regular Army units were called east, holding the region and confronting the multiple threats to its security fell to the western volunteers. Through their efforts, they maintained a general stability in a vast region where both potential and actualized threats could easily have hampered Union efforts in the main theatres of war. Therefore, by quelling secessionist schemes and activities and attempting to maintain …
Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Academic Achievement Among College Undergraduates, Jennifer Lynn Geletko
Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Academic Achievement Among College Undergraduates, Jennifer Lynn Geletko
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The author investigated the relationship between undergraduates' self-esteem, current cumulative grade point average, race, and gender. A sample of 160 undergraduate students from West Virginia University completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. In addition, the participants completed a demographic page, which included questions about their race, gender, and grade point average. The author assessed the relationship by performing a three way analysis of variance between the variables. In addition, Chi Square tests and correlations were run to test any further relationships. The results showed no correlation between self-esteem and grade point average. There were no significant main effects for gender or …
Finite Element Analysis Of Long-Term Performance Of Buried High Density Polyethylene Pipes, Raj Kumar Gondle
Finite Element Analysis Of Long-Term Performance Of Buried High Density Polyethylene Pipes, Raj Kumar Gondle
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Buried pipes are utilized for various applications such as sewers, water conveyance, and highway drainage systems. Advantages such as lightweight, ease of installation, low cost, higher impact strength and durability have resulted in the extensive use of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes during the past few years. Time dependent properties such as creep associated with HDPE material may reduce the expected design life of high density polyethylene pipes under field conditions. The objective of this research work was to investigate the time dependent nature of buried high density polyethylene pipes using the finite element analysis. The influence of trench width …
Sulfate Sorption Of Acidified Forest Soils In The Otter Creek Wilderness Area, Autumn Leah Bryson
Sulfate Sorption Of Acidified Forest Soils In The Otter Creek Wilderness Area, Autumn Leah Bryson
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Acid deposition has caused tremendous stress to forest ecosystems. Increased soil acidification due to acidic inputs from acid deposition may cause declines in forest productivity through the depletions of soil nutrients, increased mobility of aluminum and increases in acid anion concentrations, primarily nitrate and sulfate. The retention of sulfate in soil is a critical mechanism regulating soil acidification. Sulfate adsorption acts as a buffer delaying the elevation of solution sulfate concentrations. A soil will continue to adsorb sulfate until all the sites are filled and sulfate saturation is reached at which point leaching resumes. Therefore it is important to measure …
Sexual Objectification, Self-Objectification, Self-Efficacy, And Female Identity Development: A Preliminary Study, Kathleen Reilly Coffers
Sexual Objectification, Self-Objectification, Self-Efficacy, And Female Identity Development: A Preliminary Study, Kathleen Reilly Coffers
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Sexual and self-objectification, self-efficacy and identity status were investigated using data collected from undergraduate and graduate classes from West Virginia University. Subjects were 267 females, ages 18--23. The four variables were measured as follows: (a) Cultural Sexual Objectification Questionnaire, (b) Self-Objectification Questionnaire, (c) Self-Efficacy Scale and (d) Extended Version of the Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status. Cronbach's Alphas were performed on all measures with good to adequate reliabilities (.69 through .89), with the exception of the identity diffusion subscale which resulted in marginal reliability (.57). Chi-square analyses performed for sexual and self-objectification in each of the four identity statuses …
An Evaluation Of The Bailey Method To Predict Voids In The Mineral Aggregate, Craig Mason
An Evaluation Of The Bailey Method To Predict Voids In The Mineral Aggregate, Craig Mason
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The Bailey Method was developed by Robert Bailey of the Illinois State DOT. It was intended to be a tool to predict changes in voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA) resulting from gradation alterations in compacted asphalt concrete samples. This research evaluates the changes in VMA due to gradation alterations of four contractors' mix designs. By providing a tool to predict VMA, a desired gradation for asphalt mixtures can be developed to create a strong aggregate skeleton for rut resistance, durability, and adequate VMA.;The objective of this research was to evaluate the Bailey Method to predict voids in the mineral …
Evaluation And Optimization Of Central Vision Compensation Techniques, Ahmed M. El-Sherbeeny
Evaluation And Optimization Of Central Vision Compensation Techniques, Ahmed M. El-Sherbeeny
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Non-costly, non-invasive, safe, and reliable electronic vision enhancement systems (EVES) and their methods have presented a huge medical and industrial demand in the early 21st century. Two unique, vision compensation and enhancement algorithms are reviewed and compared, qualitatively optimizing the view of a restricted (or truncated) image. The first is described as the convex or "fish-eye" technique, and the second is the "cartoon superimposition" or "Peli" technique (after the leading author for this research). The novelty in this dissertation is in presenting and analyzing both of these with a comparison to a novel technique, motivated by characterization of quality vision …
Nondestructive Evaluation Of Frp Wrapped Concrete Cylinders Using Infrared Thermography And Ground Penetrating Radar, Shasanka Shekhar Dutta
Nondestructive Evaluation Of Frp Wrapped Concrete Cylinders Using Infrared Thermography And Ground Penetrating Radar, Shasanka Shekhar Dutta
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The objectives of this research are: (a) to investigate the feasibility of using Infrared Thermography (IRT) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for detecting debonds in Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) wrapped columns, and (b) to study the effect of the debonds on reduction in compressive strength of FRP wrapped columns.;All laboratory tests were conducted on concrete cylinders of size 6" x 12" (152.4 mm x 304.8 mm) in which air-filled and water-filled debonds of various sizes were inserted. Air-filled debonds were made by cutting plastic sheets into the desired sizes whereas water-filled debonds were made by injecting water in custom made …
Analysis Of Single-Point Test To Determine Skin Factor, Abbas Belyadi
Analysis Of Single-Point Test To Determine Skin Factor, Abbas Belyadi
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Single-point test results can be used to obtain information regarding the degree of damage in gas wells in the gas storage reservoirs. Single-point test is neither time-consuming nor costly to determine the productivity of a well. Furthermore, flow stabilization times would be short in high permeability gas storage reservoirs. Generally, a four-point test is conducted first to establish the deliverability relation. After some period of time, namely one year, a single-point test could be conducted. The results of the single-point and four-point tests can then be compared in order to identify any alteration in well performance.;The objective of this research …
Effectiveness Of Aquatic Phytoremediation Of Nutrients Via Watercress (Nasturtium Officinale), Basil (Ocimum Basilicum), Dill (Anethum Graveolens) And Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa) From Effluent Of A Flow-Through Aquaculture Operation, Derek J. Dyer
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Effluent from the aquaculture industry is a source of nutrient loading upon water bodies nationwide. Aquaponics, the simultaneous cultivation of fish and plants, has the potential to effectively reduce nutrient concentrations through phytoremediation, with the added benefit of producing a valuable crop. The purpose of this preliminary research was to determine if watercress ( Nasturtium officinale) could be used to reduce nutrients from aquaculture effluent in sufficient concentrations to be functional as a remediation technique. Additionally, basil (Ocimum basilicum), dill (Anethum graveolens) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were correspondingly examined. Conditions which affected plant growth versus nutrient remediation were also to …
Alumina Waveguide Characterization And Sparrow Biosensor Modeling, Pavan Kumar Samudrala
Alumina Waveguide Characterization And Sparrow Biosensor Modeling, Pavan Kumar Samudrala
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Sensors based on evanescent wave techniques have the potential to detect minute change in refractive index arising from surface modifications. The biosensor device architecture evaluated in this work is the SPARROW (Stacked Planar Affinity Regulated Resonant Optical Waveguide) structure. This architecture can operate as a biosensor through the change in the coupled optical power resulted from antigen bonding to the bio-layer. Its stacked film arrangement with no lateral patterning offers a potentially less complex structure for fabrication. This thesis describes the process developed to optically characterize the alumina waveguides of the SPARROW device and investigates waveguide film quality as a …
Quantifying Effects Of Vehicle Weight And Terrain On Emissions, Fuel Economy, And Engine Behavior, Corey M. Strimer
Quantifying Effects Of Vehicle Weight And Terrain On Emissions, Fuel Economy, And Engine Behavior, Corey M. Strimer
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
On-board emissions measurement for heavy-duty vehicles has garnered greater significance because 2007 marks the beginning of gaseous emissions monitoring for in-use vehicles in the United States [1]. Emissions compliance must be shown in a "not to exceed" (NTE) zone that emphasizes engine operation at higher power. An over-the-road 1996 Peterbilt tractor was instrumented with the West Virginia University Mobile Emissions Measurement System (MEMS) to determine how often the truck entered the NTE, and the emissions from the vehicle, as it was driven over varying terrain at multiple test weights. Distance-specific NOX emissions increase by approximately X/2% for an X% increase …
Multispectral Iris Recognition Analysis: Techniques And Evaluation, Christopher K. Boyce
Multispectral Iris Recognition Analysis: Techniques And Evaluation, Christopher K. Boyce
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This thesis explores the benefits of using multispectral iris information acquired using a narrow-band multispectral imaging system. Commercial iris recognition systems typically sense the iridal reflection pertaining to the near-infrared (IR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum. While near-infrared imaging does give a very reasonable image of the iris texture, it only exploits a narrow band of spectral information. By incorporating other wavelength ranges (infrared, red, green, blue) in iris recognition systems, the reflectance and absorbance properties of the iris tissue can be exploited to enhance recognition performance. Furthermore, the impact of eye color on iris matching performance can be determined. …
A Methodology For Software Performance Modeling And Its Application To A Border Inspection System, Paola Bracchi
A Methodology For Software Performance Modeling And Its Application To A Border Inspection System, Paola Bracchi
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
It is essential that software systems meet their performance objectives. Many factors affect software performance and it is fundamental to identify those factors and the magnitude of their effects early in the software lifecycle to avoid costly and extensive changes to software design, implementation, or requirements. In the last decade the development of techniques and methodologies to carry out performance analysis in the early stages of the software lifecycle has gained a lot of attention within the research community. Different approaches to evaluate software performance have been developed. Each of them is characterized by a certain software specification and performance …
A Socioeconomic And Spatial Analysis Of Obesity In West Virginia: Policy Implications, Anura Kumara Amarasinghe
A Socioeconomic And Spatial Analysis Of Obesity In West Virginia: Policy Implications, Anura Kumara Amarasinghe
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This dissertation integrates both theoretical and empirical insights to facilitate understanding of the current obesity epidemic in WV given heterogeneity in socioeconomic, demographic and built environment characteristics of the state. In meeting this objective, county-level and individual-level health demand analyses using secondary data sources were conducted. County-level obesity differences were studied using spatial and non-spatial random and fixed effects frameworks under a panel data structure. Individual health demand was investigated by recursive estimation of individual health responses to ordered self-assessed health (SAH) in terms of lifestyle choices, socioeconomic, demographic and built environment characteristics using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) …
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway In Aged Skeletal Muscle: Roles Of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha And Interleukin-15, Emidio E. Pistilli
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway In Aged Skeletal Muscle: Roles Of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha And Interleukin-15, Emidio E. Pistilli
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Apoptosis is implicated in the loss of skeletal muscle mass following periods of reduced activity (i.e.-disuse) as well as during the normal aging process (i.e.-sarcopenia). Aging is also characterized by elevations in circulating cytokines, specifically TNF-alpha, which has been associated with the sarcopenic process. The specific signaling components that participate in the pro-apoptotic pathway downstream of the type I TNF receptor (i.e.-extrinsic apoptotic pathway) within skeletal muscle have not been clarified. Additionally, few studies have been performed with the aim of disrupting this apoptotic pathway, and thereby sparing muscle mass in the aged. Therefore, the purposes of this dissertation were …
Large -Eddy Simulation Of The Effects Of Debris On Tornado Dynamics, Baiyun Gong
Large -Eddy Simulation Of The Effects Of Debris On Tornado Dynamics, Baiyun Gong
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Tornadoes are one of the most intensely violent natural phenomena, which often bring considerable damage. Debris clouds are commonly observed along the tornado path. Studying tornadoes with debris is potentially important for several reasons: particle suspension may dramatically change the structure of the carrier flow; debris clouds represent one of the primary visual signatures of a tornado; large debris loadings can significantly enhance damage potential; differences between air and debris flow can complicate interpretation of Doppler radar measurements of velocity fields.;In earlier work, debris was added to an existing high-resolution LES model using a two-fluid Eulerian-Eulerian approach. The debris cloud …
Assessment And Evaluation Of Noise Controls On Roof Bolting Equipment And A Method For Predicting Sound Pressure Levels In Underground Coal Mining, Rudy J. Matetic
Assessment And Evaluation Of Noise Controls On Roof Bolting Equipment And A Method For Predicting Sound Pressure Levels In Underground Coal Mining, Rudy J. Matetic
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Over-exposure to noise remains a widespread and serious health hazard in the U.S. mining industries despite 25 years of regulation. Every day, 80% of the nation's miners go to work in an environment where the time weighted average (TWA) noise level exceeds 85 dBA and more than 25% of the miners are exposed to a TWA noise level that exceeds 90 dBA, the permissible exposure limit (PEL). Additionally, MSHA coal noise sample data collected from 2000 to 2002 show that 65% of the equipment whose operators exceeded 100% noise dosage comprise only seven different types of machines; auger miners, bulldozers, …
Gas Turbine Control And Load Sharing Of A Shipboard Power System, Anisha M. C. Fernandes
Gas Turbine Control And Load Sharing Of A Shipboard Power System, Anisha M. C. Fernandes
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The objective of this research is to design a controller for a gas turbine of an Electric Shipboard Power System (ESPS) and to develop a load sharing strategy for its energy management. A suitable model for the gas turbine is selected and the effects of the dynamics are investigated for the different loads of the ESPS. The gas turbine controller is a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller, whose parameters are tuned using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique. The load on the system has three components: a propulsion load, a pulsed load to simulate a high energy weapon system and …
Impact Of Optimally Placed Var Support On Electricity Spot Pricing, Ramesh Kumar V. Khajjayam
Impact Of Optimally Placed Var Support On Electricity Spot Pricing, Ramesh Kumar V. Khajjayam
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
In view of deregulation and privatization processes, electricity pricing becomes one of the most important issues. The increases in power flows and environmental constraints are forcing electricity utilities to install new VAR equipment to enhance network operation. In this thesis a nonlinear multi-objective optimization problem has been formulated to maximize both social welfare and the maximum distance to collapse point in an open power market using reactive support like Static Var Compensator (SVC). The production and consumption costs of reactive power are intended to provide proper market signals to the electricity market agents. They are included in the multi-objective Optimal …
One-Dimensional Computer Modeling Of Electrical Conductivity Through Methane And Synthesis Gas Flames, Jonathan Patrick Lilly
One-Dimensional Computer Modeling Of Electrical Conductivity Through Methane And Synthesis Gas Flames, Jonathan Patrick Lilly
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The purpose of this work has been to produce and test simulation software to accurately model the effects of charged species and applied electric fields on the current conducted through methane and methane-doped synthesis gas flames. Comparison with existing experimental data generated at NETL has been conducted on a variety of published reaction mechanisms.