Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Technology-Rich School Environments On Academic Achievement And Attitudes Of Urban School Students, Charles R. Grimm

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of technology-rich educational environments on student academic achievement and attitude. The primary independent variable was the type of school (technology-rich school (TRS) and traditional school (TS)). Additional independent variables included gender, ethnicity, and computer ownership. The dependent variables were: (1) student academic achievement (Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (4th-grade), Virginia's Literacy Passport Test (6th-grade), and Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (11th-grade)) and (2) and student attitudes (questionnaire).

The design examined the differences between TRS and TS (N = 1088). Compared were 4th-grade elementary school students attending a TRS (n = …

Stephen Crane And "The Subtle Brotherhood Of Men", Christian Robert Weisser

English Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the development of the works of Stephen Crane. Most critical studies define his philosophy strictly within the boundaries of Naturalism. A close examination of his novels and short stories shows a development towards a more melioristic view of mankind, one which endorses the value of brotherhood and group relations. Based on certain biographical, philosophical and cultural factors, Crane's work emerges as progressively more and more concerned with the possibility of effective human solidarity.

Wing-Section Optimization For Supersonic Viscous Flow, Cem Cihan Item

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The recent interest in the High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) has resulted in renewed research studies of optimized supersonic cruise transport configurations. Incorporation of flow viscosity effects in the design process of such a supersonic wing is currently under investigation. This may lead to more accurate problem formulations and, in tum, greater aerodynamic efficiency than can be obtained by the traditional, inviscid, linear theories. In this context, for a design code to be a candidate for a complex optimization problem, such as three-dimensional viscous supersonic wing design, it should be validated using simpler building-block shapes.

To optimize the shape of …

Circulation, Spring 1995, Center For Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University

CCPO Circulation

Spring 1995 issue of CCPO Circulation featuring article "The NOAA/NASA Pathfinder Program"

The Student Movement At Old Dominion: 1964-1970, Patrick Joseph Pané

History Theses & Dissertations

Old Dominion College, located in Norfolk, Virginia, experienced student unrest during the 1960s. Students at Old Dominion, like their counterparts throughout the country, challenged the university's authority and protested the war in Vietnam. This thesis will examine the student movement at Old Dominion College (which became Old Dominion University in 1969) from 1964 to 1970 and how the reactions of presidents Lewis W. Webb, Jr. and James L. Bugg, Jr. influenced student protest from 1964 to 1970. Lewis Webb, chief executive of the college from 1946-1969, tried to limit the movement's impact on campus. His policies resulted in conflicts over …

Out Of The Air: The Role Of Communications Intelligence In The Strategic Bombing Campaign Against The German Oil Industry And Transportation System In World War Ii, Darrell Nolen

History Theses & Dissertations

During World War II communications intelligence (ULTRA) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Allied strategic bombing campaign against the German oil industry and transportation system. In the case of the oil campaign communications intelligence provided confirmation of serious damage inflicted on the German war economy. This conformed nicely to the prewar American doctrine of precision daylight bombardment of critical nodes of an enemy industrial system. The intention of this policy was to cause the collapse of the enemy's military capability. The campaign against the German transportation system did not fit into this doctrinal framework as precisely; consequently, it …

Predicting Utility Bills For Air Combat Command A Study Of Forecasting Techniques, William L. Luthie

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Many companies use forecasting techniques as a tool in managing their assets. Trends in such items as sales, population and inventory levels have all been determined at one time or another using forecasting, yet research indicates that these tools have not been utilized to predict utility budgets. This research was conducted to determine if such techniques could be applied to the specific task of predicting the utility bill at an Air Force base. Three quantitative models were chosen, the Moving Average, Exponential Smoothing and Regression, to determine their applicability to the task at hand. One base within Air Combat Command, …

Extension To The Dynamic Modeling Of The Large Angle Magnetic Suspension Test Fixture, Lucas E. Foster

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The Large Angle Magnetic Suspension Test Fixture (LAMSTF) is a laboratory scale proof-of-concept system. The configuration is unique in that the electromagnets are mounted in a circular planar array. A mathematical model of the system had previously been developed, but was shown to have inaccuracies. These inaccuracies showed up in the step responses. Eddy currents were found to be the major cause of the modeling errors. In the original system, eddy currents existed in the aluminum baseplate, iron cores, and the sensor support frame. An attempt to include the eddy current dynamics in the system model is presented. The dynamics …

The Relationship Between Machiavellianism, Self-Monitoring, And Adaptiveness To The Performance Of Real Estate Sales Professionals, Dianne Broman Eppler

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

The focus of sales management is on insuring the success of the corporation by selling its goods or services. The most significant impact on the firm's success is the ability of the sales force to perform. Research to determine what makes a successful salesperson is extensive; however, the results are inconsistent and disappointing. In light of the significant financial impact the sales force has on the firm, additional research that identifies determinants of sales success is necessary.

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relationships between personal characteristics and sales performance. Specifically, Machiavellianism, self-monitoring, and adaptiveness were hypothesized …

Automatic Differentiation For First- And Second-Order Sensitivity Derivatives Of A Cfd Code, Laura Lee Sherman

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The straightforward automatic-differentiation and the hand-differentiated incremental iterative methods are interwoven to produce a hybrid scheme that captures some of the strengths of each strategy. With this compromise, discrete aerodynamic sensitivity derivatives are calculated with the efficient incremental iterative solution algorithm of the original flow code. Moreover, the principal advantage of automatic differentiation is retained (i.e., all complicated source code for the derivative calculations is constructed quickly with accuracy). The basic equations for second-order sensitivity derivatives are presented; four methods are compared. Each scheme requires that large systems are solved first for the first-order derivatives and, in all but one …

Fetal Heart Rate Detection With A Passive Acoustic Sensor System, Zongyao Zhou

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Research and development is presented of real time signal processing methodologies for the detection of fetal heart tones from noise contaminated signals obtained from passive acoustic sensors. A nonlinear Teager energy operator is utilized for detection of the fetal heart tone event. Autocorrelation and a parallel redundancy correction algorithm derives fetal heart rates. A real time monitoring system is described which records and plots the time history of both the fetal heart rate and the acoustic fetal heart signal. The system is validated in the context of the fetal nonstress test. Comparisons are made with ultrasonic nonstress tests on a …

Open-Loop State-Space Model Identification From Closed-Loop Data, Lori Guy

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This thesis provides an investigation of a system identification algorithm which identifies an open-loop state-space model from a linear system that is operating under closed-loop conditions. In order to investigate the system identification algorithm some basic ideas of system identification theory are reviewed. Examples using simulated data are presented to characterize the effects of varying the parameters for open-loop and closed-loop system identification processes. Both noise· free and noise contaminated cases are simulated. Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control theory is reviewed and the motivation for using iterative LQG control feedback is discussed. The derivation of the proposed system identification algorithm …

An Investigation Of Hole Size Effects In A Composite Material During Tensile Fracture, David Floyd Moore

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the hole size effects, i.e., the reduction in strength with an increase in hole size at a constant stress concentration factor, for a glass fiber reinforced epoxy crossply laminate during tensile fracture. The characteristic dimension according to the point-stress and average-stress criteria of the two-parameter models proposed by Whitney and Nuismer were determined and compared for a circular hole, optimized circular hole, square hole with radiused corners and square hole with sharp corners. Modified versions of the two-parameter models proposed by Karlak and Pipes, Wetherhold, and Gillespie were also compared. On the basis …

Component Mode Synthesis-Based Design Methodology For Structural Modification And Synthesis, Venkateshwarlu Maroju

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In this work, structural modification and synthesis techniques based on component mode synthesis are presented. The component mode synthesis method formulates the eigenvalue equation of an entire structure in terms of the vibration characteristics of individual components in the assembly. Through this functional relationship, the individual components are successfully treated as the design entities in the proposed methodology. Unlike conventional design modification techniques that can only treat the properties of the finite elements as the design variables, this technique uses the vibration and static responses of the individual components as the design entities. The sensitivity derivatives of the global responses …

The Inner Voice, Janis Ruth Bagnall Cochrane

Institute for the Humanities Theses

The scope of this project is two-fold. The key purpose is to demonstrate the relationship between the voice of Lee Smith, a Southern writer from Appalachia and the voice of the author, another Southern writer from the Outer Banks. The foremost conclusion that has been drawn is that a writer's voice comes from deep inside the writer's unconscious. It is a product of generations of experiences that have embedded themselves in the writer's psyche. Some of the assumptions and prejudices surrounding southern women are discussed to some degree.

The second purpose is for this writer to show her work. This …

Effectiveness Of Dna Probe Technology In Distinguishing Among Gingival Health, Mild-Moderate Periodontitis, And Severe Periodontitis In Human Oral Sites, Juliana J. Kim

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if there is a difference in the type of microorganisms found in oral sites classified as gingival health, mild-moderate periodontitis, or severe periodontitis as measured by the DMDx* Test. A purposive sample of one hundred oral sites was selected from adult patients. Subjects were excluded from the study based on: the presence of any systemic disorders, communicable diseases, diabetic conditions, blood dyscrasias, congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, pregnancy, history of periodontal surgery, prosthetic joint replacement, hypertensive heart disease, or any medications that might alter the gingival tissues (e.g. antibiotics, hormonal therapy, …

Understanding Collaborative Writing Of Technical Proposals With A Process/Product Model, Frank Joseph Greco

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Group work creates concerns with respect to performance, collaboration, and conflict management. Writing technical proposals creates appropriate settings for gaining insight into work group efficiencies and project conflict. The research involved different work groups preparing responses to Federal Government solicitations. A proposed Process/Product model was applied to create a new framework and perception of the technical proposal development effort. There exists a rich dialectic between the forces of Process, (how the effort is accomplished), and, Product, (what the effort will produce.) The investigation attempted to learn if the P/P model provides explanations for project conflict during technical collaborative writing.

The …

Development Of A Knowledge-Based System For Generating Process Plans Using Group Technology: A Study For Norfolk Naval Shipyard, William P. Keene Jr.

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study and analyze the Norfolk Naval Shipyard's manufacturing methods of determining part families and generating part process plans for parts in the machine shop. A knowledge-based decision support system was designed based on knowledge acquired from machinist experts and documented sources of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The system interprets specific part information provided by the user, categorizes parts into part families and generates process plans to manufacture the parts. The system was evaluated and tested for parts provided by Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Finite Element Nonlinear Random Response Of Composite Panels Of Arbitrary Shape To Acoustic And Thermal Loads Applied Simultaneously, Roger R. Chen

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The nonlinear random response of composite plates to the simultaneously applied, combined acoustic/thermal loads are investigated in this dissertation. A finite element formulation for the nonlinear random response is developed. The three-node Mindlin plate element with improved transverse shear is extended and employed. The extension includes the development of the thermal geometric matrix, the mass matrix, the first- order and second-order nonlinear stiffness matrices, and the thermal and mechanical load vectors. An innovative solution procedure has been created which is believed to be the first attempt to analyze nonlinear random response of complex composite panels subjected to simultaneous acoustic and …

Identification And Characterization Of The Iron-Zinc Intermetallics Formed In Galvanneal Steel, Richard Frederick George Grant

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The demand to improve the corrosion resistance of steel sheet, particularly for use within the automotive industry, has led to a dramatic increase in the use of coated steels in place of cold-rolled sheet steel. Galvanneal steel results from the post annealing of the zinc-coated steel sheet, in which iron and zinc are interdiffused to form an iron-zinc alloy coating. Within this alloy coating, four main iron-zinc phases, Zeta, Delta, Gamma-1, and Gamma may be present. Manufacture of the most suitable coating requires identifying which phases form during the galvannealing process, an understanding of the properties of each phase and …

An Investigation Of The Speed And Power Limitations Of A Copper-Doped Gallium Arsenide Photoconductive Switch, David Clifton Stoudt

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The processes of persistent photoconductivity followed by photo-quenching are demonstrated in copper-compensated, silicon-doped, semi-insulating gallium arsenide. These processes allow a switch to be developed that can be closed by the application of one laser pulse (λ = 1.06 μm) and opened by the application of a second laser pulse with a wavelength equal to twice that of the first laser (λ= 2.13 μm). Switch closure is primarily achieved by elevating electrons from a deep copper center which has been diffused into the material. The opening phase is a two-step process which relies initially on the absorption of the 2-μm laser …

Does Junk Dna Regulate Gene Expression In Humans, M. A. Hulten, Michael W. Stacey, S. J. Armstrong

Bioelectrics Publications

No abstract provided.

Electric Field Mapping System With Nanosecond Temporal Rosolution, F. E. Peterkin, R. Block, K. H. Schoenbach

Bioelectrics Publications

The electric field dependence of the absorption coefficient in semi‐insulating GaAs at the absorption edge was measured in a high‐voltage pulsed experiment. Pulse duration was kept below 50 ns in order to avoid thermal effects. A GaAs laser diode was used as a probe light source with wavelength varied from 902 to 911 nm. For fields up to 40 kV/cm the absorption coefficient increased from 3 to 17 cm⁻¹ at 902 nm, with smaller absolute increases evident at the longer wavelengths. Calculation from theory was consistent with this behavior. The spatial variation of the electric field was also recorded …

The Effects Of Subsidies On Public Transit Long-Run Costs, Kofi Obeng, Wayne K. Talley, Christopher Colburn

Economics Faculty Publications

This paper investigates sources of public transit long-run cost increases attributable to transit subsidies. The sources include wage, vehicle capital price and service increases. Service expansion is found to be the major source. Transit cost increases related to subsidies are classified as input price, output and finance effects of these subsidies. Transit costs are more responsive to federal operating subsidies, followed in declining order by local operating, state operating and capital subsidies, respectively.

Anonymous Signatures, Circulating Libraries, Conventionality, And The Production Of Gothic Romances, Edward Jacobs

English Faculty Publications

Ever since circulating libraries first became commercially successful during the second half of the eighteenth century, social and literary critics have analyzed them primarily as institutions for distributing books. The dominant view has been that circulating libraries vulgarized literature, by pandering fiction to women, servants, and other people who had previously been excluded from reading by the high cost of books or by illiteracy. For instance, near the end of The Rise of the Novel, Ian Watt argues, as many eighteenth-century critics did, that during the last quarter of the eighteenth century "the pressures toward literary degradation which were …

Supralinear Photoconductivity Of Copper Doped Semi-Insulating Gallium Arsenide, K. H. Schoenbach, R. P. Joshi, F. Peterkin, R. L. Druce

Bioelectrics Publications

We report on the intensity dependent supralinear photoconductivity in GaAs:Si:Cu material. The results of our measurements show that the effective carrier lifetime can change over two orders of magnitude with variations in the intensity of the optical excitation. A threshold intensity level has been observed and can be related to the occupancy of the deep copper level. Numerical simulations have also been carried out to analyze the trapping dynamics. The intensity dependent lifetimes obtained from the simulations match the experimental data very well. Finally, based on the nonlinear intensity dependence of the effective lifetimes, a possible low‐energy phototransistor application for …

Comparing Traditional Statistical Models With Neural Network Models: The Case Of The Relation Of Human Performance Factors To The Outcomes Of Military Combat, William Oliver Hedgepeth

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Statistics and neural networks are analytical methods used to learn about observed experience. Both the statistician and neural network researcher develop and analyze data sets, draw relevant conclusions, and validate the conclusions. They also share in the challenge of creating accurate predictions of future events with noisy data.

Both analytical methods are investigated. This is accomplished by examining the veridicality of both with real system data. The real system used in this project is a database of 400 years of historical military combat. The relationships among the variables represented in this database are recognized as being hypercomplex and nonlinear.

The …

Nozzle Flow With Vibrational Nonequilibrium, John Gary Landry

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

Flow of nitrogen gas through a converging-diverging nozzle is simulated. The flow is modeled using the Navier-Stokes equations that have been modified for vibrational nonequilibrium. The energy equation is replaced by two equations. One equation accounts for energy effects due to the translational and rotational degrees of freedom, and the other accounts for the affects due to the vibrational degree of freedom. The energy equations are coupled by a relaxation time which measures the time required for the vibrational energy component to equilibrate with the translational and rotational energy components. An improved relaxation time is used in this thesis. The …

Software Reliability Issues: An Experimental Approach, Mary Ann Hoppa

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis, we present methodologies involving a data structure called the debugging graph whereby the predictive performance of software reliability models can be analyzed and improved under laboratory conditions. This procedure substitutes the averages of large sample sets for the single point samples normally used as inputs to these models and thus supports scrutiny of their performances with less random input data.

Initially, we describe the construction of an extensive database of empirical reliability data which we derived by testing each partially debugged version of subject software represented by complete or partial debugging graphs. We demonstrate how these data …

A Study To Assess The Benefits Students Received From Completing The Fire Cadet Program In Chesapeake Public Schools, J. Page Bagley

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The following goals were established to guide the research: Identify why the program was started; Determine the current employment status of program completers; Determine if the program had indirect benefits to participants; and Identify why the program was terminated.