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The Impact And Fate Of Aqueous Sodium Nitrate On Hydrocarbon Flames, Ann Marie Flynn

Dissertations

This study examined the impact and fate of sodium (fed as an aqueous nitrate solution) in fuel-rich methane/air and methane/methyl chloride/air flames as a function of equivalence ratios that experienced diffusion of air from the surroundings. The flames were stabilized on a slotted, uncooled burner. The data set was divided into profiles of relative sodium atom concentrations, temperatures, and selected stable species concentrations. The flames were simulated using a modified version of the Sandia FORTRAN program for modeling steady laminar one-dimensional premixed flames complete with detailed mechanisms. The results showed that maximum sodium atom concentration in the flame is decreased …

Multimedia Modeling Of Organic Contaminants In The Passaic River Watershed, Lansana Coulibaly

Dissertations

A dynamic fate and transport multimedia environmental model was developed and applied to assess the release of five priority contaminants in the Passaic River Watershed, including: napthalene, toluene, trichloroethylene, 1-1-1 trichloroethane and xylene. The model uses the current releases of contaminants as well as cross-boundary advection to determine the fate and environmental distribution of these chemicals in the watershed. The model was developed using a dynamic fugacity approach in order to allow for scenario analysis such as source reductions and no-action alternatives. This modeling effort is expected to achieve a comprehensive assessment of contaminants not only in the proximity of …

Component-Based Software Engineering, Zhiyuan Wang

Dissertations

To solve the problems coming with the current software development methodologies, component-based software engineering has caught many researchers' attention recently. In component-based software engineering, a software system is considered as a set of software components assembled together instead of as a set of functions from the traditional perspective. Software components can be bought from third party vendors as off-the-shelf components and be assembled together.

Component-based software engineering, though very promising, needs to solve several core issues before it becomes a mature software development strategy. The goal of this dissertation is to establish an infrastructure for component-based software development. The author …

Cultural Factors Influencing Japanese Female College Students' Perceptions Of Learning In A Web-Based Environment: Implications For Web-Based Instructional Designers, Theresa L. Lally Edd

Dissertations

The burst of the Japanese bubble economy in 1992 brought about many reforms in Japanese education. One example of these reforms is the recent introduction of web-based instruction into Japanese classrooms. Since traditional Japanese education has been greatly influenced by elements of Confucianism, many educators are concerned about the integration of web-based instruction with traditional Japanese teaching methods. The purposes of this study were to investigate Japanese female junior college students' attitudes and/or perceptions of learning in a web-based environment, and to measure performance between students in a traditional teacher-centered course with another group of students learning via web-based instruction. …

African-American And White Female Homicide Offenders: Women Who Kill Intimate Partners Versus Non-Intimate Partners In Chicago Between 1980-1995, Shauntey James

Dissertations

The research that examines female homicide offenders goes little further than investigating whether or not offenders were previously victimized by those whom they kill. This research project is designed to contribute to this extant body of literature and theory in two ways. The first is to add and provide a comprehensive picture of African-American and white female homicide offenders in intimate versus non-intimate relationships in homicidal events. The second manner of contribution lies in the testing of a creative and integrative theoretical model. This model addresses race, underclass context, alcohol use, social disorganization and prior arrest record of female homicide …

A Comparison Of Cognitive Restructuring And Systematic Desensitization Techniques For Anger Reduction With An Inmate Population, Lori Ann Diaz

Dissertations

This was a dismantling study comparing the effectiveness of the Cognitive Restructuring (CR) and the Systematic Desensitization (SD) components of Deffenbacher et al.’s (1987, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994) treatment of anger. This study utilized an inmate population in a rural county jail. Each group completed a battery of measures (State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory [Spielberger, 1996]; Anger Symptom, and Anger Situation [Hazaleus & Deffenbacher, 1986]) at baseline (5 weeks prior to treatment), pretreatment, and posttreatment. Subjects completed an Anger Log weekly and a Satisfaction measure following treatment. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV: Patient Questionnaire was completed during the baseline period …

Identification And Classification Of Coryneform Bacteria Isolated From Bovine Mammary Glands, Jeffrey L. Watts

Dissertations

Coryneform bacteria are frequently isolated from bovine mastitis and these infections are associated with economic losses. Corynehacterium bovis, a lipid requiring species, has been the most frequently isolated coryneform from the milk of infected bovine mammary glands. However, the taxonomic status of this organism is uncertain. In the current study, a polyphasic approach was used to identify coryneform bacteria isolated from bovine mastitis and determ ine the phylogenetic relationships among the identified species. A total of 212 coryneform bacteria isolated from bovine mastitis was obtained from mastitis reference laboratories in the United States and Canada. Presumptive identification based upon …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Epistemic Style And Evaluation Practice, Deanna Draze

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between personal epistemic styles of professional evaluators, the influence those styles have on evaluation practice, and to determine whether a typology of evaluation practice can be extrapolated from a study of epistemic style. Epistemic style was defined as how one determines what is true (or what constitutes knowledge). The intent was to provide empirical evidence of the relationship between theory and practice in the hope that it will contribute to an increased awareness of the evaluator “as an instrument’' through which data is filtered.

The Psycho-Epistemological Profile (Royce, Mos, and …

Adolescent Perceptions Of Parent-Adolescent Communication And Adolescent Pregnancy, Susan L. Tohm Lloyd Phd, Ms, Rn

Dissertations

Identification of adolescent perceptions of parent-adolescent communication, a significant factor in family functioning and connectedness, is important if effective interventions are to be provided by health care professionals related to decreasing the number as well as the adverse effects of adolescent pregnancy in the United States. The purpose of this descriptive, non-experimental, triangulated study was to examine the relationship between the perceived quality and effectiveness of parent-adolescent communication and pregnancy from the perspective of pregnant adolescent women in the Banning/Beaumont area of southern California. The theoretical framework for this study was based on adolescent and family developmental theories, family communication …

Experiment, Thermodynamic Properties And Modeling On Combustion Of Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether : Isobutane And Isobutene And Thermodynamic Properties Of Chloro Alkanes And Alkenes, Chiung-Ju Chen

Dissertations

The reaction systems: methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) unimolecular decomposition, MTBE radicals + O₂, tert-butyl radical +O₂, isobutene + HOO. (HO₂),isobutene + OH, sobutene-OH adducts + O₂, and allylic isobutenyl radical + O₂, are important systems in the understanding the oxidation chemistry of MTBE, tertiary butyl radical (C3C.), and sobutene, are analyzed. Thermochemical parameters are determined by ah initio Møller-Plesset (MP2(full)/6-31g(d)), complete basis set model chemistry (CBS-4 and CBS-q with MP2(full)/6-31g(d) and B3LYP/6-31g(d) optimized geometries), density functional (B3LYP/631g(d)), semi-empirical MOPAC (PM3) molecular orbital calculations, and by group additivity estimation. Thermochemical …

Development And Application Of Dynamic Models For Predicting Transit Arrival Times, Yuqing Ding

Dissertations

Stochastic variations in traffic conditions and ridership often have a negative impact in transit operations resulting in the deterioration of schedule/headway adherence and lengthening of passenger wait times. Providing accurate information on transit vehicle arrival times is critical to reduce the negative impacts on transit users. In this study, models for dynamically predicting transit arrival times in urban settings are developed, including a basic model, a Kalman filtering model, link-based and stop-based artificial neural networks (ANNs) and Neural/Dynamic (ND) models. The reliability of these models is assessed by enhancing the microscopic simulation program CORSIM which can calculate bus dwell and …

Reconfiguration And Tool Path Planning Of Hexapod Machine Tools, Zhenqun Li

Dissertations

Hexapod machine tools have the potential to achieve increased accuracy, speed, acceleration and rigidity over conventional machines, and are regarded by many researchers as the machine tools of the next generation. However, their small and complex workspace often limits the range of tasks they can perform, and their parallel structure raises many new issues preventing the direct use of conventional tool path planning methods. This dissertation presents an investigation of new reconfiguration and tool path planning methods for enhancing the ability of hexapods to adapt to workspace changes and assisting them in being integrated into the current manufacturing environments.

A …

Space/Time/Frequency Methods In Adaptive Radar, Christopher D. Peckham

Dissertations

Radar systems may be processed with various space, time and frequency techniques. Advanced radar systems are required to detect targets in the presence of jamming and clutter. This work studies the application of two types of radar systems.

It is well known that targets moving along-track within a Synthetic Aperture Radar field of view are imaged as defocused objects. The SAR stripmap mode is tuned to stationary ground targets and the mismatch between the SAR processing parameters and the target motion parameters causes the energy to spill over to adjacent image pixels, thus hindering target feature extraction and reducing the …

Polymer Pyrolysis And Oxidation Studies In A Continuous Feed And Flow Reactor : Cellulose, Polystyrene, And Polyethylene, Byung-Ik Park

Dissertations

A dual zone, continuous feed tubular reactor is developed to assessthe potential for formation of products from incomplete combustion in thermal oxidation of common polymers. Solid polymer powder (cellulose,polystyrene, or polyethylene) is fed continuously into a volatilization oven where it fragments and vaporizes under continuous steady state conditions. The gas phase polymer fragments flow directly into a second, main flow reactor oven and undergo further pyrolysis and oxidation reaction. Temperatures in the main flow reactor are varied independently of the volatilization zone to observe conditions needed to convert the initial polymer fragmentsto CO₂ and H₂O. Combustion products …

Hytexpros : A Hypermedia Information Retrieval System, Hong Shen

Dissertations

The Hypermedia information retrieval system makes use of the specific capabilities of hypermedia systems with information retrieval operations and provides new kind of information management tools. It combines both hypermedia and information retrieval to offer end-users the possibility of navigating, browsing and searching a large collection of documents to satisfy an information need. TEXPROS is an intelligent document processing and retrieval system that supports storing, extracting, classifying, categorizing, retrieval and browsing enterprise information. TEXPROS is a perfect application to apply hypermedia information retrieval techniques. In this dissertation, we extend TEXPROS to a hypermedia information retrieval system called HyTEXPROS with hypertext …

In-Line Measurement Of Solibility Of Physical Blowing Agents In Thermoplastic Melts As Related To Extrusion Foaming, Qiang Zhang

Dissertations

A novel in-line method for measuring physical blowing agent solubility in thermoplastic melts in extrusion foaming equipment has been developed in this study. This method uses video microscopy in connection with a foaming extruder (single or twin-screw) to generate solubility data by observing the onset of gas bubble formation/dissolution. This method offers a number of advantages over the existing conventional methods. It can be easily used to obtain solubility data for many foamable thermoplastic-physical blowing agent systems at high pressure and temperature near actual foaming conditions. Data generated using this method could be directly used to characterize and control a …

Integrated Product And Process Development Methodologies For Environmentally Conscious Electronic Products, Pingtao Yan

Dissertations

This research focuses on integrated product and process development (IPPD) methodologies for environmentally conscious electronic products. After a review of current research issues in the field of product and process development, a generic framework for IPPD is proposed which describes most of the concerned issues formally as constrained optimization problems. These problems may include such optimization objectives as cost, benefit, and environmental impact. Based on this framework, an IPPD methodology is proposed as a systems approach to competitive and environmentally conscious product and process development. A case study on personal computer development is performed illustrating how to apply the methodology …

Data Hiding In Multimedia - Theory And Applications, Mahalingam Ramkumar

Dissertations

Multimedia data hiding or steganography is a means of communication using subliminal channels. The resource for the subliminal communication scheme is the distortion of the original content that can be tolerated. This thesis addresses two main issues of steganographic communication schemes:

1. How does one maximize the distortion introduced without affecting fidelity of the content?

2. How does one efficiently utilize the resource (the distortion introduced) for communicating as many bits of information as possible? In other words, what is a good signaling strategy for the subliminal communication scheme?

Close to optimal solutions for both issues are analyzed. Many techniques …

Experimental And Phenomenological Study Of Persistent Photoconductivity In Yba2cu3o6 Thin Films, Daniel-Dennis Mcalevy Bubb

Dissertations

Persistent Photoconductivity in YBa₂Cu₃O_6+x thin films is studied by means of infrared photoconductivity measurements after the films have been illuminated with visible light at low temperature. Experimentally, the effect is characterized by the samples' electrical response to infrared light, either causing the resistance to decrease or increase.

A cellular automata model is proposed in explanation of these results and is shown to be consistent with current experimental understanding of this unusual effect, both our results and those of others. The cellular automata model may have application to other unusual optical phenomena exhibited by YBa_{2 …}

From Warriors To Wingtips: The Leadership Transition Of Retired Officers Into The Public Sector, Lynn M. Eldred Edd

Dissertations

For personal and financial reasons some retired military officers seek second careers in the public sector. In entering local government, they are leaving a unique organization, and encountering a very different organizational culture. This study used grounded theory methodology to identify the key military leadership strategies and behaviors learned by military officers and to examine their applicability to local government. It focused on eleven retired naval and marine officers who served twenty or more years, attained a rank of lieutenant commander or major and above, and had worked in local San Diego government at the mid-management or executive level less …

A Comparative Study Of Leadership Characteristics Of Principals In Charter Schools And Traditional Schools, Roger M. Mestinsek Edd

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the similarities and differences in preferred leadership qualities among a random sample of principals of traditional elementary schools in California, traditional elementary schools in Alberta, Canada, and selected charter schools in the United States. The intent of the research was to identify the preferred leadership practices of each study group to determine and report significant differences and similarities. Seventy-five principals were randomly selected, 25 from each of the three study groups, to complete the survey. Forty-two principals (56%) returned surveys. Of the surveys returned, 40 were usable for the study. The theoretical …

The Church As A Social Support For Women: Perspectives Of Female Members Of Selected Seventh-Day Adventist Churches, Norma Greenidge

Dissertations

Problem. The subject of social support and its role in health and well-being ofindividuals has become an important topic to many researchers. This study was designed to discover to what extent female members of Seventh-day Adventist churches perceive their church as providing them with social support.

Method. The instrument used was the Social Provision Scale which measures six aspects of social support--attachment, guidance, nurture, reliable alliance, social integration, and worth. Scores from the 99 White and 48 African American women were compared for each of the six aspects on the basis of ethnicity, age, and marital status using Analysis …

An Assessment Of Home And Classroom Literacy Environments And The Emergent Literacy Development Of Kindergarten Students In Two Southwestern Michigan School Districts, Magdalene Tobias

Dissertations

Problem. In some school districts, low literacy proficiency is a problem of tremendous proportion. Assessing whether a solid foundation is being laid is more important than focusing our efforts at remediation in the later years. This study aimed at investigating the illiteracy problem at the "root" level. The purpose of the study was to determine the characteristics of the home and classroom literacy environments and the development of print, writing, and story concepts of kindergartners in two selected school districts. It also explored whether there was a difference in the performance of students from morning, afternoon, alternate whole-day, and …

An Insider's Perspective: The Dropout Challenge For Canada's First Nations, Patricia Ann Makokis Edd

Dissertations

This modified case study honors the voices of 21 Cree participants, including nine students, six parents, four community leaders and two Elders. This study, written from an insider's perspective, identified more than 50 reasons why First Nations students dropped out of three provincial high schools located in northern Alberta, Canada. The results were collapsed into several categories that can best be generalized as resulting from the effects of colonization. Canada's First Nations have a long history of oppression, colonization, and the resultant soul wounds. The four participant groups collectively identified five common themes why students dropped out of provincial high …

The Current Structure Of Intellect Remediation Lab As An Intervention For Deficient Readers In Grades 3, 4, And 5, Donna Turner Campbell

Dissertations

Problem. Educational testing procedures focus on identification and classification of students rather than on remediation for their abilities. The Structure of Intellect (SOI) model proposes a multidimensional view of intelligence with a focus on remediation for underdeveloped or nonexistent abilities as they relate to school achievement.

Purpose. The purposes of this study were to determine if participation in the SOI remediation lab had a measurable effect on reading achievement with third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students, and to describe SOI learning profiles of students with below grade reading skills.

Methodology. The subjects for this quasi-experimental study were third-, fourth-, and …

On The Edge Of The Envelope. A Case Study Of The Children's Initiative: An Inquiry Into Collaboration And Shared Vision, Laurie Coskey Edd

Dissertations

While there are many collaborative efforts throughout the country, few have the breadth or the scope of the San Diego Children's Initiative. The general purpose of this research study was to analyze and develop an interpretive case study describing the initial collaborative process of the Strategic Action Committee of the San Diego Children's Initiative. The study focused on the initial phase of the collaboration which took place from November of 1993 through April of 1995. This study sought to determine some factors that may influence the potential success of a large-scale, multi-sector, private-public collaborative effort. The research analyzed the success …

A Cross-Case Study Of Teacher Perceptions Of Program Design And Teaching Efficacy: The Seaview Reading Support Program, Susan L. Bowers Smith Edd

Dissertations

Teachers at Seaview Elementary School developed an innovative reading support program delivered by classroom teachers to increase the achievement of children who struggled to read literature in the district's core curriculum. Although studies of the program's impact on student achievement indicated that many of the children who received services in the classroom were able to fluently read grade level materials and improve their scores on standardized tests, issues created by the additional burden of this instruction on some teachers prevented the integration of the program into other grade levels and schools in the Seaview School District and Seaview Elementary School. …

Differential Perceptions Of English Teachers About The Teaching Of Literature In Seventh-Day Adventist Secondary Schools In Selected Regions Of The Caribbean, Shirley Ann Mcgarrell

Dissertations

Problem. Literature, as a subject in the English curriculum, is not taught in all Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) secondary schools in the Caribbean. This research attempts to investigate and document the reasons why this subject is not taught as part of the English curriculum in some schools and yet is taught in other schools. Literature, as a course of study, addresses philosophical, moral, ethical, and spiritual questions, and often teachers are not the central controllers in determining whether this subject should be taught in church-operated secondary schools. The literature teacher’s role could be pivotal in this situation, but only if …

Educational Brain Research As Compared With E.G. White's Counsels To Educators, Linda Bryant Caviness

Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study was threefold: to review current, education-relevant brain research; to review the educational writings of Ellen G. White for major emerging themes/principles; and to compare these findings for similarities and differences.

Method and Results. Using an inductive process, the synthesis and comparison revealed 15 themes from brain research and 12 principles from White's writings from the middle 1800s and early 1900s.

Comparison of the two lists revealed alignment on eight themes/principles, nonalignment on three themes/principles, and partial-alignment on seven themes/principles.

Aligned themes/principles included: body and mind function as one; exercise and movement are vital …

An Assessment Of The Perceived Administrative Effectiveness Of Boarding School Principals In The North American Division Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Malcolm E. Hutchinson Jr.

Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the views held by those whose duties include the management and day-to-day operations of the secondary boarding schools within the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This refers specifically to superintendents, principals, and staff members

Method. The survey method was used to gather the data. Respondents were asked to complete an 84-item questionnaire. The population sample was made up of 320 staff members, 32 principals, and 31 superintendents. The data were analyzed using mean scores, percentile rankings, and ANOVA at an alpha of p < .05.

Findings. The major findings in …