Digital Commons Network^™

The Influence Of Accelerometer Cut Points On Determining The Percent Of Preschool-Age Children Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines, Anna Elizabeth Scott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reduced physical activity is thought to be a major contributor to energy imbalance and obesity in children and adolescents. A challenge for researchers is selecting a tool that will accurately measure physical activity, especially in young children. A current tool that is used is an accelerometer. This study had two objectives. The first examined if different sets of accelerometer cut points developed for preschool-age children would produce the same physical activity results when identical raw data were run through them. Through the use of accelerometer data the second objective aimed to determine the percent of children who met the physical …

Thermodynamics And Emission Modeling Of Liquefied Natural Gas (Lng) Tanks And Fueling Stations, Cesar Augusto Sandoval Leon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this work a thermodynamics and emissions model of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks and fueling stations was developed, allowing for the calculation of methane (CH4) emitted from tanks and the prediction of methane emissions in future scenarios. The detailed dynamic thermodynamic model determined the thermodynamic state (pressure, temperature, specific volume) and properties (enthalpy, internal energy, specific heat, etc.) of the liquid and vapor phase methane in the storage tank in order to determine the rate of LNG boil off and venting. The model employed differential forms of the energy balance and mass balance and thermodynamic property relations and data …

Comparisons Of Single Drop Impact Simulations With Experiments, Krishna Teja Medam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As the size of electronic equipment is reduced, the ability to reject waste heat is also reduced due to smaller component surface areas, thereby affecting the component performance and finally leading to the damage of the component. Spray cooling offers a means to achieve high rates of heat transfer from microelectronic components and other high energy density devices.;As a first step in investigating spray cooling, a single liquid drop impacting onto a thin liquid film was studied at isothermal conditions. 2D axisymmetric cases were simulated with ANSYS Fluent and 3D cases with OpenFOAM using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) model. …

Expanding The Use Of Rna In Forensic Science: A Quantum Dot Molecular Beacon Approach, Joshua R. Moore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As the popularity of shows such as CSI increases, so does the demand for DNA evidence in court cases. This has led to the overwhelming of capacity for analysis of biological samples at crime labs across the country, and to the development of a massive backlog of DNA evidence waiting to be processed. At the end of 2011, labs had a processing capacity of 250,000 cases per year, but an annual total of nearly 350,000 that needed to be processed. Such delays have effects throughout the US justice system. One way to reduce the backlog would be to increase the …

Synchronization Of Coupled And Periodically Forced Chemical Oscillators, Razan Snari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Physiological rhythms are essential in all living organisms. Such rhythms are regulated through the interactions of many cells. Deviation of a biological system from its normal rhythms can lead to physiological maladies. The tremor and symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease are thought to emerge from abnormal synchrony of neuronal activity within the neural network of the brain. Deep brain stimulation is a therapeutic technique that can remove this pathological synchronization by the application of a periodic desynchronizing signal. Herein, we used the photosensitive Belousov--Zhabotinsky (BZ) chemical reaction to test the mechanism of deep brain stimulation. A collection of oscillators are …

Digital Image Transformations And Image Stacking Of Latent Prints Processed Using Multiple Physical And Chemical Techniques, Danielle Tague

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Latent fingerprints are highly common among evidence that is found at crime scenes. While fingerprint evidence can be very reliable, comparison and identification of a print is highly affected by the quality of the fingerprint image. Fingerprint experts ideally want to have an image with the best quality possible, in order to make an accurate identification and avoid missing pertinent details. This is a thesis presented on the use of digital image processing to merge multiple images of one fingerprint to obtain a final image with greater quality. The research was conducted using different latent fingerprint processing techniques that have …

Asphalt And Concrete Pavement Condition Analysis For The Wvdoh, Frank Peter Taverna Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this research was to compare the condition of the asphalt and concrete sections of pavement on a section of US 35 for the West Virginia Division of Highways. In the process of completing this objective, existing procedures for pavement assessment were evaluated and an improved methodology for pavement condition evaluation, in terms of Pavement Surface Rating, PSR, was established. PSR uses observable surface distresses to quantify the condition of a pavement on a 0 to 100 scale. The PSR methodology includes surface distress data collection, a distress identification manual, and a PSR calculation procedure and spreadsheet. This …

Integrating Popular Music And Informal Music Learning Practices: A Multiple Case Study Of Secondary School Music Teachers Enacting Change In Music Education, Martina Vasil

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to examine the practices and perspectives of music teachers who integrated popular music and informal music learning practices into their secondary school music programs. A primary goal was to understand music teachers' perspectives on the process of enacting change. The data for this parallel multiple-case study were four semi-structured interviews, two school site visits and observations, documents, and a researcher journal. The content of teachers' interviews was synthesized in the form of four narratives. Teachers' pathways to becoming more reform-minded were marked by shifts in professional identity away from teacher-centered, autocratic mindsets toward student-centered, …

The Correlation Of Chin Prominence And Esthetics, Nicholas Maddux

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In part I, a sample of pre-treatment lateral cephalograms collected consecutively was analyzed to look for correlation between soft tissue and hard tissue chin measurements. In part II a survey was constructed to investigate the effects of changes in chin prominence on perceived facial profile attractiveness. Materials & Methods: (Part I) 105 cephalograms of patients in the permanent dentition, 12 years old or greater, were analyzed with a series of hard tissue and soft tissue measurements. The sample was also grouped based on skeletal class and category. (Part II) A facial profile photograph was obtained from one female subject. The …

Vulture Flight Behavior Driven By Uplift Availability At Local And Continental Scales, Julie Mallon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding how animals move in response to their environment is a fundamental question in ecology. Soaring species, which rely on environmentally generated uplift to forage and migrate, should be especially sensitive to changing weather and climatic conditions. Changes in uplift distribution or strength can have energetic implications and restrict movement capacity for soaring species. Poor weather conditions can shorten foraging time or slow migration progress. To increase mobility, birds can switch to flapping or soar using another uplift type. Use of uplift, however, is associated with certain flight altitudes and movement speeds. Switching uplift types will affect a bird's ecological …

Validating The Representativeness Of Test Samples For Performance Prediction Of Face Recognition, Jason Hooks

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

One of the reasons testing biometric systems is difficult lays in the fact that the test sample available during technology evaluation may not be sufficiently similar to the usage profile that the system will encounter in operations. As the result, performance expectations derived from testing prior to system deployment may not match actual performance after the deployment. A specific instance of this problem occurs when the data from the field in which biometric system will be deployed is sequestered.

In this study, we simulated the stated scenario using two datasets, originally claimed to be similar and adequate for performance prediction; …

Two-Faced: Bringing Two Roles To Life In Kurt Weill's "Street Scene", Vincent Pelligrino

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis is the culmination of my process, rehearsal and performance of two roles in Kurt Weill's American opera Street Scene. This document serves to describe my process from casting to closing night. It is also a reflection of my work, and reveals information about my education in creating character, and the role of leadership in a large production. This is my process and romantic encounter with Kurt Weill's Street Scene.

The Effects Of Parameter Tuning On Machine Learning Performance In A Software Defect Prediction Context, Benjamin N. Province

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Most machine learning techniques rely on a set of user-defined parameters. Changes in the values of these parameters can greatly affect the prediction performance of the learner. These parameters are typically either set to default values or tuned for best performance on a particular type of data. In this thesis, the parameter-space of four machine learners is explored in order to determine the efficacy of parameter tuning within the context of software defect prediction.;A distinction is made between the typical within-version learning scheme and forward learning, in which learners are trained on defect data from one software version and used …

Dynamic Assessment Of Induced Stresses And In-Situ Stress Reorientation During Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing In Unconventional Reservoirs, Liliia Reddy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research has been dedicated to the optimization of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing by providing a more thorough understanding of fracture and reservoir stress behavior. This work was accomplished by the use of a fully coupled fracture propagation simulator (HFWVU2D developed under RPSEA (Grant/Contract No. #9122-06)) that couples fracture mechanics and fluid dynamics, unlike past studies, which observe only simple interactions. The underlying objective is to eliminate the misappropriated energy caused by inter-fracture stress interaction and stress reorientation surrounding the induced fracture network by assessing stress magnitude as a function of operation conditions.;This study is based upon an in-house numerical simulation …

Comparing Diel Cycles Of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon To Diel Cycles Of Fe And Mn At A Coal Mine Drainage Site In Harrison Co., Wv, Jill L. Riddell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Diel (24 hour) cycles of dissolved inorganic carbon and dissolved metals have rarely been studied in concert in coal mine drainage systems containing high CO2. Diel samples were collected from two locations at a site with elevated CO2; the locations differed in their CO 2 concentrations and the amount of vegetation present. Field data and samples were collected from both locations during March, May, and July 2014. To determine if the parameters cycled in a diel fashion, the data were fit using a cosine model and the goodness of fit was determined using an f-test statistic. Overall, 15 of 20 …

Illustrating Appalachia: The Sketchbooks And Publications Of David Hunter Strother, 1833 To 1887, Alee Robins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the mid-nineteenth century, one of the most popular American magazine illustrators was David Hunter Strother, a native of Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). Using the pseudonym "Porte Crayon," Strother published semi-fictional accounts of his travels which he often illustrated as well as authored. The West Virginia & Regional History Center offers a digital collection of 730 of the artist's sketches and paintings. Additionally, the Walters Art Museum presents eight of Strother's sketches online. To provide a method for studying Strother's artworks, a database was created to show connections between the artist's works based on date, location, and thematic content. …

Kinematic Basis For Body Specific Locomotor Mechanics And Perturbation Responses, Ryan B. Ross

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Animals have evolved mechanical and neural strategies for locomotion in almost every environment, overcoming the complexities of their habitats using specializations in body structure and animal behavior. These specializations are created by neural networks responsible for generating and altering muscle activation. Species specific musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology determine how locomotion is controlled through the transformation of motor patterns into body movements. Furthermore, when these species specific locomotor systems encounter perturbations during running and walking their behavioral and mechanical attributes determine how stability is established during and after the perturbation. It is still not understood how species specific structural and behavioral …

A Computational Study On The Effects Of Dynamic Roughness Application To Separated Transitional Flows Affected By Adverse Pressure Gradient, Gennaro Campitelli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study of transitional flows is considered crucial for many practical engineering applications. In fact, a comprehensive understanding of the laminar-turbulent transition phenomenon often helps to improve the overall performance of apparatuses such as airfoils, wind turbines, hulls and turbomachinery blades. In addition to understanding and prediction of transitional flows, active research continues in the area of boundary layer control, which includes control of phenomena such as flow separation and transition. For instance, optimum geometrical shaping may be followed by the adoption on the wall-surface of riblets to adjust pressure gradient and reduce drag. Further "flow control" may also be …

Farmers Markets And The Emergency Food System In West Virginia: An Analysis Of Intersection To Improve Community Food Security, Jessica L. Crum

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Food insecurity is a problem in West Virginia. Individuals who are food insecure rely on assistance from private organizations, such as food pantries and soup kitchens. Individuals may also rely on government assistance, with programs like SNAP and WIC, as a means to cope with food insecurity. Farmers markets have been trying to become more accessible to low-income individuals and increase community food security through the acceptance of SNAP, WIC, and SMFNP vouchers. This study uses key informant interviews to understand to what extent and in what ways farmers markets are interacting with emergency food systems to improve community food …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Recovery Methods Of Trace Evidence For Pollen Particles, Christie Cyktor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Within the forensic science community, pollen as a form of trace evidence is extremely underutilized. In many instances, trace evidence examiners and crime scene investigators are unfamiliar with how best to recover pollen from a piece of evidence. Methods such as vacuum sweeping, tape lifting, and sonication have been implemented for the recovery of the test dust from materials such as clothing, shoes, or improvised explosive devices. While these methods are known to be beneficial with some trace materials, their effectiveness with pollen has yet to be determined. The goal of this research project was to implement and compare multiple …

The Effects Of Modest Improvement In Pellet Quality On Tom Turkey And Straight-Run Broiler Performance, With Focus On Experimental Design, Brian Gregory Glover

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Improving the crumble/pellet percentage of feed has been argued to be difficult to obtain in the commercial industry due to the necessity of feed mills producing adequate feed volume within a time constraint. Poultry research often utilizes small numbers of birds per pen or experimental unit that may affect the estimation of variance components, potentially producing pen performance metrics that are less valuable for industry guidance. In Experiment 1, diets were manufactured to maintain nutrient availability and vary only in crumble/pellet percentage (standard = 40% pellets, improved = 70% pellets). The two dietary treatments were then fed to Hybrid Converter …

Study Of 3-D Dynamic Roughness Effects On Flow Over A Naca 0012 Airfoil Using Large Eddy Simulations At Low Reynolds Numbers, Venkata Subba Sai Satish Guda

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There have been several advancements in the aerospace industry in areas of design such as aerodynamics, designs, controls and propulsion; all aimed at one common goal i.e. increasing efficiency --range and scope of operation with lesser fuel consumption. Several methods of flow control have been tried. Some were successful, some failed and many were termed as impractical. The low Reynolds number regime of 104 - 105 is a very interesting range. Flow physics in this range are quite different than those of higher Reynolds number range. Mid and high altitude UAV's, MAV's, sailplanes, jet engine fan blades, inboard helicopter rotor …

Variable-Interval And Variable-Ratio Schedules Of Punishment By Timeout From Positive Reinforcement, Ezra G. Hall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Timeout punishment is among the most commonly reported disciplinary procedures (Barkin, Scheindlin, Ip, Richardson, & Finch, 2007). Despite the frequent use of timeout, little basic research has systematically examined different schedule effects of timeout from positive reinforcement. Using pigeons as subjects, the current series of experiments arranged variable schedules of timeout from positive reinforcement within a multiple-schedule arrangement where 20-s timeouts were response-dependent, response-independent, and delayed. Experiment 1 used a within-subject yoking procedure to compare schedules of variable-ratio (VR) and yoked-interval (YI) timeouts. Experiment 2 arranged separate parametric analyses of variable-interval (VI) and VR schedules of timeout. Within-session, yoked-control components …

Lng Station Analysis For The Prediction Of Pressure Rise And Vented Emissions, John T. Hailer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Liquefied natural gas is seeing increased usage in the over-the-road trucking sector. Stations which refuel LNG vehicles sometimes emit natural gas into the atmosphere through a pressure relief valve due to over pressurization of the storage tank. Methane, the dominant constitute in natural gas, is considered a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. However, natural gas has less of a carbon foot print than other fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and coal when burned giving it a global warming potential (GWP) advantage. Emission of methane into the atmosphere degrades the GWP advantage of burned methane or natural gas. Therein …

Discovery Of A Novel Oocyte-Specific Krab-Containing Zinc Finger Protein Required For Early Embryogenesis In Cattle, Jacqelyn M. Hand

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Much of the loss of potential offspring in cattle is concentrated in the early embryonic period. Maternal mRNAs that accumulate in the oocyte during oogenesis have important functional roles during the initial stages of embryonic development, before embryonic genome activation. It is well regarded that the oocyte plays an active role in regulation of key aspects of the reproductive process required for fertility. What is more, oocyte-specific transcription factors seem to be the controlling feature influencing germ cell success throughout oogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Of the remarkably diverse array of transcription factors encoded by mammalian genomes, about two-thirds …

Sequence Stratigraphy And Reservoir Characterization Of The Middle Devonian Marcellus Formation For A Cored Well In Harrison County, West Virginia, Victoria L. Hilliard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Middle Devonian Marcellus Formation is an important unconventional shale play in North America. It has an approximate aerial extent of 100,000 square-miles and has been estimated to contain upwards to 489 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas. Through the advent of horizontal drilling, in combination with hydraulic fracture simulation, the Marcellus Formation has been exploited at exponential rates. In order to increase production and drill more profitable wells, the geology of the Marcellus is being studied in more detail. In particular, geologic parameters such as geomechanical properties, total organic carbon (TOC), porosity, and mineralogy could have a direct relationship …

Identification And Biosensing Application Of Molecular Recognition Elements, Ka Lok Hong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Molecular recognition elements (MREs) are biomolecules such as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), RNA, small peptides and antibody fragments that can bind to user defined targets with high affinities and specificities. This binding property allows MREs to have a wide range of applications, including therapeutic, diagnostic, and biosensor applications. The identification of MREs can be achieved by using the process called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX). This process begins with a large library of 109 to 1015 different random molecules, molecules that bind to the user defined target or positive target are enriched in the process. Subsequently, this process …

Development Of A Reference Dataset To Evaluate Pems Post-Processing Software, Hemanth K. Kappanna

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since the implementation of in-use emissions standards, an outcome of the consent decree between heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there has been an increased interest in the research and development of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) that are capable of analyzing exhaust emissions continuously while a vehicle or equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is performing its intended vocation. Ultimately for an engine to pass in-use emissions requirements, the brake specific emissions of regulated pollutants measured over valid Not-to-Exceed (NTE) events must be less than or equal to 1.25 or 1.5 times the engine …

Cloud Implementation Of Design Software For Strengthening Of Reinforced Concrete Member, Sucharitha Koleti

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The design of Fiber Reinforced Composite (FRP) which has emerged as an effective alternative to strengthen concrete structures, using traditional approaches, involves a set of complex design procedures to strengthen a concrete member. The design procedures are classified as a three step processes to build an intuitive and user friendly web application. The design software incorporated in the aforementioned application solves for strengthening of Reinforced Concrete (RC) Beams and Columns. This application has been developed as an add-on to the existing Computer Aided Design Environment to Composites (CADEC). It has been built on the .Net platform in compliance with the …

Party Systems, Democratization And Governance In Africa: Aligning Theory And Praxis Using Sierra Leone As A Case Study, Mohamed Saffa Lamin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There has been an upsurge in the movement towards democracy in developing countries since the end of the Cold War, which has led former autocratic regimes to embrace values of good governance as they transition to democracy (Huntington, 1991: 21-26). Democratic triumphalism has even led some scholars to declare the "end of history" due to the absence of alternative political systems that rival Western democracy (Fukuyama, 2006). The so-called "third wave" of democratization has been aided by multilateral institutions, international aid agencies and Western democratic governments, which since the 1990s have used democratization and good governance as collateral for foreign …