Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
- Keyword
-
- Mechanical engineering (38)
- Civil engineering (21)
- Environmental engineering (11)
- Forestry (11)
- Ecology (10)
-
- Electrical engineering (9)
- Computer science (8)
- Educational psychology (8)
- Chemical engineering (7)
- Clinical psychology (7)
- Pharmaceutical sciences (7)
- Aquatic sciences (6)
- Automotive engineering (6)
- Educational technology (6)
- Environmental science (6)
- Mathematics (5)
- Mining engineering (5)
- Behavioral psychology (4)
- Biomedical engineering (4)
- Energy (4)
- Genetics (4)
- Health care management (4)
- Language (4)
- Materials science (4)
- Molecular biology (4)
- Nutrition (4)
- Pharmacology (4)
- Soil sciences (4)
- Curriculum development (3)
- Developmental psychology (3)
Articles 1 - 30 of 276
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Evaluation Of Performance Graded Asphalt Binder Equipment And Testing Protocol, Michael E. Pumphrey
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 …
Simplified Live-Load Moment Distribution Factors For Simple Span Slab On I-Girder Bridges, Wesley D. Hevener
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
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 …
Plant-Wide Energy Assessment Using A Systems Approach, Rajkumar Selvaraj
Plant-Wide Energy Assessment Using A Systems Approach, Rajkumar Selvaraj
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Energy plays a central role in the operation of the industrialized U.S. economy. Industry is historically the largest consuming sector of the economy with more than 60 percent of the energy consumed for manufacturing. The U.S. chemical industry is the world's largest producer of chemicals producing over 25 percent of the total production worldwide. In a chemical industry, the energy is used to supply heat and power for manufacturing processes and for energy feedstock. Due to the energy intensive nature of chemical industries, energy assessments performed could yield huge savings in energy and cost.;The aim of this research is to …
Gender Stereotypes In Children's Television Commercials And The Effects On Consumer Purchasing Behavior, Joanne G. Asztalos
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 …
Fungi Associated With Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra ) Acorns, Dawn M. Washington
Fungi Associated With Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra ) Acorns, Dawn M. Washington
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Poor regeneration of northern red oak is widespread in the central hardwood region. A two-part study was conducted to determine what fungi are associated with and cause cotyledon discoloration of northern red oak acorns. The field study determined that simulated small mammal notching, surface sowing, time, and site all play a significant role in the amount of cotyledon discoloration in acorns as well as the number of acorns with discoloration. However, germination rate was only affected by site and surface sowing, while seedling vigor ratings were actually higher when acorns had discolored cotyledons. The five species of fungi isolated most …
Evaluation Of 4.75 Mm Superpave Mix Criteria For West Virginia, David Diazgranados Diaz
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
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, …
Population Level Dynamics Of Grasshopper Sparrow Populations Breeding On Reclaimed Mountaintop Mines In West Virginia, Frank K. Ammer
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 …
Ecology And Management Of Raccoons Within An Intensively Managed Forest In The Central Appalachians, Sheldon F. Owen
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 …
Crack Detection Technique For Reinforced Concrete Bridge Decks, Indumathi Chera
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 …
Temporal Control And Response Strength In A Free -Operant Psychophysical Procedure, Lori M. Lieving
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 …
Impacts On Terrestrial And Streamside Herpetofauna By Mountaintop Removal Mining In Southern West Virginia, Jennifer Mravintz Williams
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 …
Relationship Marketing Elements In Radio Station Websites, Mark L. Atkinson
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 …
Development And Validation Of A Measure To Assess Physician Readiness To Prescribe Drug Therapies For Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients, Siddhesh Ajit Kamat
Development And Validation Of A Measure To Assess Physician Readiness To Prescribe Drug Therapies For Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients, Siddhesh Ajit Kamat
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
National guidelines recommend the use of beta-blockers, aspirin, and ACE-inhibitors in the management of post MI patients. These target drug classes continue to be under-prescribed; information on physicians' decision-making process requires attention and behavior change interventions have been proposed. This pilot study uses the Transtheoretical Model of Change; physicians' salience for the pros and cons of prescribing target drug classes constitutes the decisional balance measure, which can be used to predict their stage of readiness. A survey instrument was mailed to a sample of West Virginia physicians and 55 usable responses (34%) were received. Majority of the physicians self-reported in …
Evaluation Of Concrete Median Barrier Delineation Under Poor Visibility Conditions, Kari A. French
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 …
Years Of Teaching Experience And Descriptions Of Educational Situations, Dana J. Stapleford
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 …
Utilization Of *Assessment By Maryland Cooperative Extension Faculty, Jennifer Thorn Bentlejewski
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 …
Teachers' Views Of The Impact Of The Good Start, Grow Smart Early Childhood Initiative On Head Start Programs In A Western Maryland Community, Fannie L. Boayue
Teachers' Views Of The Impact Of The Good Start, Grow Smart Early Childhood Initiative On Head Start Programs In A Western Maryland Community, Fannie L. Boayue
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
As the call for accountability increased, President George W. Bush signed into law the No Child Left Behind Act in January 2002 to reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that was reauthorized in 1994. The Good Start, Grow Smart Early Childhood Education Initiative, followed in April 2002. Both of these reform measures have significant implications for school success and achievement of all children in both childcare and public school settings as well as accountability for teachers and administrators.;The purpose of this study was to investigate and analyze the views of Head Start teachers on the impact of the Good …
Comparing Math Self-Efficacy In Middle School Girls, Anagloria Rodriguez
Comparing Math Self-Efficacy In Middle School Girls, Anagloria Rodriguez
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
There have been no previous studies in the self-efficacy or single-sex schools literature that have looked at the possible relationship between self-efficacy expectations and type of school. This study compared mathematics self-efficacy of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade girls in a single-sex and a co-educational school. Four measures, including a personal background questionnaire, were used to collect data. Results showed a correlation for type of school and importance of mathematics. Contrary to assumptions made by the researcher, girls in the co-educational school scored consistently higher on all measures used. The results of this research suggest that it will take more …
Reducing Of Iron Corrosion In Water Pipelines By Hydrogen Addition, Feraih Sh. Alenazey
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 …
Generalized Nowhere Zero Flow, Jingjing Chen
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 …
Real-Time Measurement Of Oxides Of Nitrogen From Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines, Aparna Aravelli
Real-Time Measurement Of Oxides Of Nitrogen From Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines, Aparna Aravelli
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
New emissions regulations and performance requirements imposed on modern diesel engines encourage the development of improved tools for emissions measurements. This study investigated one of the improved tools for NOx emissions measurement. Objectives of this thesis included measurement, comparison and prediction of NOx emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines using two different NOx analyzers. Steady state and transient tests were conducted on six heavy-duty diesel engines in the WVU Engine and Emissions Research Center (EERC). NOx emissions were measured using a conventional Rosemount NOx analyzer and a Cambustion fast response NOx analyzer. The Rosemount analyzer sampled dilute emissions whereas the fast …
Adding Liveness Detection To The Hand Geometry Scanner, Musat C. Crihalmeanu
Adding Liveness Detection To The Hand Geometry Scanner, Musat C. Crihalmeanu
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
In today's dynamic society, the efficiency of the Biometric Systems has an increasing tendency to replace the classic but obsolete keys and passwords. Hand Geometry Readers are popular biometrics used for Access and Control applications. One of their weaknesses is vulnerability to spoofing using fake hands (latex, play-doh or dead-hands).;The objective of this thesis is to design a feature to be added to the Hand Geometry Scanner in order to detect vitality in the hand, reducing spoofing possibilities.;This thesis demonstrates how the Hand Reader was successfully spoofed and shows the implementation of the live detection feature through an inexpensive but …
Implementing Software Engineering Practices In Small Industry With A Focus On Requirements Elicitation, James Clifford Fleming
Implementing Software Engineering Practices In Small Industry With A Focus On Requirements Elicitation, James Clifford Fleming
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
I have been involved in small industry for 33 years and I have seen how the evolution of computers and software has affected small companies striving to grow in their market place by trying to take advantage of an evolving technology. Many times an individual is assigned the task of developing software to fit the company's needs and begins the process without any formal training in the practices of Software Engineering. My Thesis will discuss my evolving skills, gained through my Masters in Software Engineering degree work, as a Software Engineer and how I have been able to implement proper …
Parametric Modeling Of Bolted Joints Between Components Made Of Particulate Composite Materials, Vasudha Goteti
Parametric Modeling Of Bolted Joints Between Components Made Of Particulate Composite Materials, Vasudha Goteti
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Particulate metal matrix composites (MMC) exhibit higher stiffness, strength and wear resistance compared to metal alloys. They exhibit superior compressive and buckling strength because of their higher plastic modulus. MMC's can operate at very higher temperatures than fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Their isotropic behavior and forming ability by conventional methods makes them a better choice for low-cost applications. They have good thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity and low thermal expansion.;The main objective of this study is to predict numerically the stress distributions around the hole in a bolted joint made of particulate metal matrix composite and to investigate the associated load …
Relational Project Modeling And Risk Projection Framework, Brian D. Gould
Relational Project Modeling And Risk Projection Framework, Brian D. Gould
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
The relational project modeling and risk projection framework enables a projection of the consequences of initial project schedules and schedule changes with respect to risk realization in resource constrained project environments, and the identification of unrecognized schedule risks implied by those schedules.
Laboratory Experiments In Thermal Sciences, Christopher K. Jackson
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 …
Dynamic Response Evaluation Of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Bridge Decks And Bridges, Chandra Sekhar Jinka
Dynamic Response Evaluation Of Fiber-Reinforced Composite Bridge Decks And Bridges, Chandra Sekhar Jinka
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite bridge decks are gaining attention of bridge owners because of their light self weight, corrosion resistance and ease of installation. The lighter weight and lower stiffness of the FRP decks combined with the lower level of damping (than concrete) can lead to excessive deck vibrations and may substantially increase the dynamic amplification of induced stress and deflections. Also, a global NDE technique using dynamic characterization is necessary to ensure the long term performance of FRP bridges. Therefore, an extensive study on FRP decks and FRP bridges is carried out both at laboratory and in the …
Characterization Of In-Use Emissions From On-Highway Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines, Mohan Krishnamurthy
Characterization Of In-Use Emissions From On-Highway Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines, Mohan Krishnamurthy
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Class-8 trucks with GVWR of 80,000 lbs were tested on different driving routes and in-use brake-specific emissions of NOx and CO2 data were collected using the West Virginia University's Mobile Emissions Measurement System (MEMS). An uncertainty analysis was performed on the MEMS and it was determined the maximum possible error in the measurement of brake-specific emissions of NOx was 8% and CO2 was 6%.;A modal analysis indicated that the cruise mode comprised 70% of the time that the vehicle spent in the Not-to-Exceed (NTE) zone while the acceleration and deceleration modes about 20% and 10% respectively.;In order to reduce the …