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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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Tissue Thickness Measurement Tool For Craniofacial Reconstruction, Hari Kinan Gopal Boddupalli Dec 1999

Tissue Thickness Measurement Tool For Craniofacial Reconstruction, Hari Kinan Gopal Boddupalli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Craniofacial Reconstruction is a method of recreating the appearance of the face on the skull of a deceased individual for identification purposes. Older clay methods of reconstruction are inaccurate, time consuming and inflexible. The tremendous increase in the processing power of the computers and rapid strides in visualization can be used to perform the reconstruction, saving time and providing greater accuracy and flexibility, without the necessity for a skillful modeler.;This thesis introduces our approach to computerized 3D craniofacial reconstruction. Three phases have been identified. The first phase of the project is to generate a facial tissue thickness database. In the …

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Verification And Validation In Software Product Line Engineering, Edward Alton Addy Dec 1999

Verification And Validation In Software Product Line Engineering, Edward Alton Addy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Verification and Validation (V&V) is currently performed during application development for many systems, especially safety-critical and mission-critical systems. However, the V&V process has been limited to single system development. This dissertation describes the extension of V&V from an individual application system to a product line of systems that are developed within an architecture-based software engineering environment.;In traditional V&V, the system provides the context under which the software will be evaluated, and V&V activities occur during all phases of the system development lifecycle. The transition to a product line approach to development removes the individual system as the context for evaluation, …

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Relations Between Measures Of Attention And Memory In The Assessment Of Children With Attentional Difficulties, Karen S. Kirk Dec 1999

Relations Between Measures Of Attention And Memory In The Assessment Of Children With Attentional Difficulties, Karen S. Kirk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Attentional difficulties are associated with a number of different pediatric clinical disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (LD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Further, two cognitive functions dependent upon attention, learning and memory, are characteristic deficits in LD children, and have been documented as correlated weaknesses in ADHD and TBI populations. However, few investigations have examined the relation between these cognitive functions, in terms of understanding the respective contributions of attention, learning, and memory deficits in the clinical groups indicated above. In the present study, a measure of attention, the Gordon Diagnostic System (GDS) was compared to …

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Optimal Power Flow Using A Genetic Algorithm And Linear Algebra, Reid S. Maust Dec 1999

Optimal Power Flow Using A Genetic Algorithm And Linear Algebra, Reid S. Maust

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Artificial intelligence is used to help a hypothetical electric utility meet is electric load economically. The optimal power flow problem (OPF) problem is an optimization problem, in which the utility strives to minimize its costs while satisfying all of its constraints. A genetic algorithm (GA)---a specific type of artificial intelligence-is employed to perform this optimization. To speed convergence, some theory from linear algebra is incorporated into the algorithm.;A GA provides several advantages over more traditional OPF algorithms. For instance, a GA does not constrain the shape of the generators' cost curves and is flexible enough to incorporate control devices such …

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Development Of Decision Support System For Reliability, Mitesh Bhupendra Parekh Dec 1999

Development Of Decision Support System For Reliability, Mitesh Bhupendra Parekh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reliability analysis is now an essential part of any product development. In the field of Electrical Engineering, reliability models are developed and analyzed for every component before it comes to market. The complexity of the product can range from a simple transistor to an integrated circuit chip, from a simple communication link to a complex network, and from a small generator to a large powerhouse.;Over the period, several techniques have been developed to systematically model real systems and then analyze them. These techniques are constantly being enhanced to improve the modeling process and to reduce the time required for the …

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Decision Support Tool For Costing Of The Pultrusion Process, Taher Badrudin Patrawala Dec 1999

Decision Support Tool For Costing Of The Pultrusion Process, Taher Badrudin Patrawala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of advanced composites has grown over the last two decades. These high strength, low weight materials can now be found in many structural applications, including bridges. However, the substitution of plastics for conventional materials, such as steel, is governed by engineering constraints and cost competitiveness. A brief discussion of the process variables and engineering constraints is presented in the first chapter. To analyze the latter and to identify cost centers in production more readily, a computerized cost model was developed. This model estimates the cost of producing components by the pultrusion process.;The technical cost modeling methodology employed involves …

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Measurement Of Particulate Matter Size, Concentration And Mass Emissions From In-Use Heavy Duty Vehicles, Richard Jason Byers Dec 1999

Measurement Of Particulate Matter Size, Concentration And Mass Emissions From In-Use Heavy Duty Vehicles, Richard Jason Byers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As technological advancements lower heavy duty vehicle particulate matter (PM) mass emission rates, there is concern that these improvements are increasing the toxicity of the PM by virtue of a subsequent reduction in particle size. These ultrafine particles are able to better penetrate the alveolar region where they can cause serious lung disorders. Alternative fuels such as compressed and liquefied natural gas (CNG and LNG) and the synthetic diesel fuel Mossgas are attractive in that they reduce the levels of total PM. However, use of natural gas in internal combustion engines may produce a larger number of smaller particles than …

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Forest Songbird Abundance And Viability At Multiple Scales On The Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Thomas Eugene Demeo Dec 1999

Forest Songbird Abundance And Viability At Multiple Scales On The Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Thomas Eugene Demeo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Songbird-habitat relationships were investigated using three interrelated studies, each at multiple scales, on the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. In each study I used landscape (25 km2), transect (2500 m), and point (50-m radius point count plot) scales.;In the first study, I investigated bird abundance and species richness at these scales in four major forest types: mixed mesophytic, northern hardwoods, red spruce, and dry oaks. At the landscape scale, forest types differed in bird abundance (p = 0.07) and species richness (p = 0.08). Abundance of forest-interior species, Neotropical migrants, and nine key indicator species were greatest in the mixed …

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Measuring Behavioral Disruption In Children Who Have Been In Motor Vehicle Accidents, Kimberly Mullen James Dec 1999

Measuring Behavioral Disruption In Children Who Have Been In Motor Vehicle Accidents, Kimberly Mullen James

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the overt behavioral response of children following recent exposure to a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Forty-five children completed a clinical Stroop task. Children were divided, based on prior psychometric assessment, into three groups: (a) survivors of a recent MVA, and experiencing behavioral distress; (b) survivors of a recent MVA, and not experiencing behavioral distress; and (c) those who have not experienced an MVA. Differential color-naming and error response to four types of Stroop stimuli was assessed: (a) MVA-related words, (b) school-stress related words, (c) neutral household words, and (d) colored Xs. Analysis of participant characteristics indicated no …

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Essays On The Political Economy Of State Government Saving And The Role Of Budget Stabilization Funds, Gary Albert Wagner Dec 1999

Essays On The Political Economy Of State Government Saving And The Role Of Budget Stabilization Funds, Gary Albert Wagner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores the saving behavior of state governments in the context of the ability of states to weather recessionary periods. The first chapter of the dissertation discusses the role of savings as a policy option for state decision-makers in light of the fiscal constraints facing state governments, reviews the previous literature that has examined the savings behavior of state governments, and outlines the research agenda for the dissertation. Chapter 2 provides statistics on the post-World War II savings of states to explore recent trends in their savings behavior and discusses the data employed in the dissertation. The third chapter …

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Explaining Age-Related Problem -Solving Differences On Concept Identification Problems As A Function Of Problem Content, Strategies, And Stereotypes, Dave Buck Dec 1999

Explaining Age-Related Problem -Solving Differences On Concept Identification Problems As A Function Of Problem Content, Strategies, And Stereotypes, Dave Buck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purposes of this study were to: (a) determine whether older adults would use logic-based strategies on a concept identification task when the stereotyped content of the task was changed to "experience free"; (b) determine whether older adults would use logic-based strategies when the stereotyped content was left intact after completing an "experience free" version of the concept identification task, and (c) explore relations of potential causal mechanisms of strategy use for older adults such as problem interpretation or past experience. Thirty-two older adults (M = 70.0 years) and 32 younger adults (M = 21.2) solved two versions of the …

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Design And Development Of A Microwave-Enhanced Diesel Soot Oxidation System, Bret Allen Rankin Dec 1999

Design And Development Of A Microwave-Enhanced Diesel Soot Oxidation System, Bret Allen Rankin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions have created considerable concern because PM is a suspected carcinogen. Up to this point, improved engine and fuel system design and control schemes have made the use of diesel particulate aftertreatment systems unnecessary for most applications in the United States, but the continued decreasing trend of emissions regulations may necessitate the use of PM filters for many applications.;Many methods have been developed to generate a controlled, reliable regeneration event within PM filters, none of which have been proven to be completely successful. These methods include exhaust throttling, fuel catalysis, filter catalysis, electrical heating, and burner …

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Perceptions Of Pre -Service Elementary Teachers About Social Studies Instructional Activities And Content Areas, Philip H. Adkins Aug 1999

Perceptions Of Pre -Service Elementary Teachers About Social Studies Instructional Activities And Content Areas, Philip H. Adkins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was designed to investigate perceptions held by pre-service elementary teachers about instructional activities and content areas for the social studies. Four major questions were addressed: (1) What do respondents perceive to be the classroom activities with the most educational value? (2) What do respondents believe students find to be the most enjoyable activities? (3) What do respondents say are the classroom activities they would most prefer to use at the various grade levels? and (4) What do respondents say are the most preferred content areas for elementary social studies?;The sample for this study consisted of 80 pre-service elementary …

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Surface -Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Studies Of Organonitriles On Copper Colloids, Candace Mikki Coyle Aug 1999

Surface -Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Studies Of Organonitriles On Copper Colloids, Candace Mikki Coyle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dramatic differences are observed between the surface-enhanced Raman spectra (SERS) of organonitriles mixed with copper colloids, the Raman of the free parent molecules, and the SERS for adsorption on a gold colloid. Specifically, nu(C≡N) is missing in the SER spectra involving the copper colloid. The data are adequately explained by a transition metal assisted borohydride reduction of the cyano group to an amino group. SER spectra of the reduction products of the organonitriles in the presence of copper colloids are identical within experimental error. The nu(C≡N) signal was observed when a gold colloid was prepared by borohydride reduction, thereby indicating …

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Highway Cost-Benefit Analysis System, Venkatramani Rajamohan Aug 1999

Highway Cost-Benefit Analysis System, Venkatramani Rajamohan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this research, a methodology for computing road user cost for various competing alternatives was developed. Also, a software was developed to calculate the road user cost, perform economic analysis and update cost tables. The methodology is based on the manual entitled "A Manual on User Benefit Analysis of Highway and Bus-Transit Improvements" which was published in 1977 by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. The report contains procedures for the calculation of the road user cost, perform economic analysis and further update the cost tables as and when the latest Consumer Price Indices and Producer Price Indices …

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Social And Economic Impacts Of Wild Harvested Products, Brent Bailey Aug 1999

Social And Economic Impacts Of Wild Harvested Products, Brent Bailey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Wild harvested products (WHPs) are plants and animals, or parts of them, that are harvested from their native habitats for sale, trade, or personal consumption, by harvesters who are not employed by others to collect them. WHPs embody a range of economic, cultural, and social values held by residents of rural areas. However, the products' significance to harvesters and communities, and their conservation status, have until recently been little studied.;Assessments of social and economic impacts of WHPs on households and communities were conducted in West Virginia and West Africa. Interviews with harvesters, dealers, and resource managers revealed the range of …

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Identification And Control Of Dynamical Systems, Eugene Robert Mihaliuk Aug 1999

Identification And Control Of Dynamical Systems, Eugene Robert Mihaliuk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Practical methods, based upon linear systems theory, are explored for applications to nonlinear phenomena and are extended to a larger class of problems. An algorithm for stabilizing, characterizing, and tracking unstable steady states and periodic orbits in multidimensional dynamical systems is developed and applied to stabilize and characterize an unstable four-cell flame front of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation with six unstable degrees of freedom. A new method is presented for probing chemical reaction mechanisms experimentally with perturbations and measurements of the response. Time series analysis and the methods of linear control theory are used to determine the Jacobian matrix of a …

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Social Competence And Theory Of Mind Understanding In Elementary School Children With Attention Deficits, Amy Wilson Strange Aug 1999

Social Competence And Theory Of Mind Understanding In Elementary School Children With Attention Deficits, Amy Wilson Strange

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The following study explored relations between theory of mind understanding, social competence, and auditory processing in elementary school children with and without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Children in this study were recruited from a local elementary school, as well as two outpatient clinics. Scores on measures of false belief and recursive thinking, social skills (Social Knowledge Interview, Harter, Emotion labels), and auditory processing (Test of Auditory Processing Skills, Revised) were obtained along with teacher ratings of children's self-regulation as measured by Attention and Hyperactivity subscales of the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale - Revised. Language ability was also measured using the …

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Optimization Of A Brushless Permanent Magnet Linear Alternator For Use With A Linear Internal Combustion Engine, William Robert Cawthorne Aug 1999

Optimization Of A Brushless Permanent Magnet Linear Alternator For Use With A Linear Internal Combustion Engine, William Robert Cawthorne

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Numerous applications require the generation of electric power without connection to the utility power system. Many industrial, commercial, and personal applications require uninterrupted electrical power in the event of a utility failure. Additionally, the nature of military field operations necessitates the ability to generate electricity in areas where connection to the utility is impractical or impossible. Generation units selected for these applications must be reliable, efficient, compact, and lightweight.;Presently, rotary internal combustion engines coupled with rotary alternators are the primary generation unit used in these applications. This research contends that a tubular brushless permanent magnet linear alternator with a linear …

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Variational Results And Solutions In Gauge Gravity And A Bifurcation Analysis Of Black Hole Orbital Dynamics, Bruce Herold Dean Aug 1999

Variational Results And Solutions In Gauge Gravity And A Bifurcation Analysis Of Black Hole Orbital Dynamics, Bruce Herold Dean

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An analysis of all known spherically symmetric solutions to the field equations originating from the Riemann tensor quadratic curvature Lagrangian is presented. A new exact solution is found for the field equation originating from the "energy-momentum" equation of the gauge gravity theory. Imposing equivalence between the Palatini and standard variational field equations yields an algebraic condition that restricts the number spacetime solutions to gauge gravity. A class of spherically symmetric solutions to the conformally invariant theory of gravitation is shown to be shared by the gauge gravity field equations. An analysis of a spherically symmetric solution to the conformal gravity …

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Experiential Avoidance And Alcohol Dependence Relapse, Darrah Ann Westrup Aug 1999

Experiential Avoidance And Alcohol Dependence Relapse, Darrah Ann Westrup

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This project examined whether experiential avoidance differentiated alcohol-dependent relapsers from non-relapsers. Eighty-five subjects receiving inpatient addiction treatment were assessed for degree of experiential avoidance (using a new measure called the AAQ, coping style, alcohol severity, anxiety, and depression. It was hypothesized that the AAQ, along with avoidant coping and negative life events, would differentiate those who subsequently relapsed with those who did not. Three months after discharge, subjects were contacted for follow-up to determine whether or not they had relapsed, and to what degree they had experienced negative and/or positive life events. A series of discriminant function analyses determined that …

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Trip Generation Rates For Consolidated Schools In West Virginia, Amy Marie Balmer Aug 1999

Trip Generation Rates For Consolidated Schools In West Virginia, Amy Marie Balmer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Currently, there are no trip generation rates for consolidated schools in West Virginia. A consolidated school is a public school that formed from the consolidation of other schools of the same type or a county-wide school. Because West Virginia is rural in nature and declining school-age population, the trip rates for consolidated schools would tend to be different than the national averages for traditional schools.;This research developed trip rates specific to consolidated high, middle, and elementary schools in West Virginia. In total, sixteen different schools in West Virginia were studied. Of the sixteen sites studied, seven were high schools, two …

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Simulation Of Packed Column Jigging, Qiang Dai Aug 1999

Simulation Of Packed Column Jigging, Qiang Dai

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Packed column jig has been demonstrated a number of promising results in processing iron ore, coal, chromite and other finely disseminated particulate materials. The packing materials in the jig divide the column into a large number of virtual cells. Each cell performs the similar separation action. A model about the movement of a particle in the packed column jig was derived to interpret the separation mechanism of particles in the virtual cell. A computer program was developed to simulate the particle movement in the jig based on the derived model, which can simulate the packed column jigging with different jig …

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Through-Wafer Interrogation Of Mems Device Motion, Jeremy Michael Dawson Aug 1999

Through-Wafer Interrogation Of Mems Device Motion, Jeremy Michael Dawson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have been the focus of many research groups because of their wide variety of uses in sensing and actuation applications. A fundamental barrier facing designers of next generation MEMS is the inability to access accurate, real-time microstructure positional information to determine if the device is performing as expected. Previously explored optical and electrical methods of MEMS device monitoring are often only suitable for research environments, or are unable to produce clear and meaningful characterization of device motion. The most desirable MEMS monitoring method would be one that could be implemented at the device level, which would allow …

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Forecasting Of Work In Process Quality Using Holt-Winters Method For Missing Observations, Sarang Ram Kayande Aug 1999

Forecasting Of Work In Process Quality Using Holt-Winters Method For Missing Observations, Sarang Ram Kayande

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since the pace of technological change is so great, and since new products and processes may be key to a company's future plans, an increasing number of companies are emphasizing regular and complete technological forecasts affecting their industry. Those companies which have gone far in developing planning premises from their technological forecasts have tended to be high-technology enterprises. What has been done in these instances is to encourage members of their technical staffs to be alert to future developments; to think in terms of the impact of current scientific developments on the future state of technology; and to develop orderly …

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Perceptions Of Students And Teachers Regarding Agriculture In Leflore County, Mississippi, Ronald L. Howard Aug 1999

Perceptions Of Students And Teachers Regarding Agriculture In Leflore County, Mississippi, Ronald L. Howard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceptions of public high school teachers and students in Leflore County, Mississippi regarding agriculture and provide baseline data regarding the perception of high school students and teachers residing in an agriculturally dependent county with no agricultural education program. A population of 240 high school teachers and students was surveyed for their perceptions regarding agriculture. All three public high schools in Leflore County were represented in this study. Over 65% of the sample resided in the city, while only 3% live on a farm. The major finding of this study was that …

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Occurrence, Etiology And Management Of Ringwomb In Ewes, Nancy Jean Kerr Aug 1999

Occurrence, Etiology And Management Of Ringwomb In Ewes, Nancy Jean Kerr

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pedigrees of ewes with Ringwomb were studied to determine the etiology, incidence and treatment of Ringwomb. Purebred Suffolk and crossbred Hampshire and Shropshire ewes aged from one to seven years were observed over a period of five lambing seasons. The study was conducted on 24 clinical cases of ringwomb occurring in one flock. Ringwomb or incomplete cervical dilation accounted for an incidence of 20.5% (24/117) of all ewes lambing. The ewes affected were all daughters, granddaughters, or great-granddaughters of one particular sire used on the farm as a service sire. Because ringwomb does not typically affect ewes in two consecutive …

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Compressive Strength Prediction For Composite Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Edward Albert Wen Aug 1999

Compressive Strength Prediction For Composite Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Edward Albert Wen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A rational methodology is presented to predict the compressive strength of carbon/epoxy compression specimens and prototype production parts using the model presented by Barbero in the Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 32, No.5/1998. The experimental technique is an adaptation of the optical method first proposed by Yurgartis (1987) and can be directly applied to actual development, quality control or failure investigation programs. There is very good agreement between actual and predicted compressive strength at -125F and room temperature. At 180F, the predicted strength is conservative. Aurora Flight Sciences provided the prototype production parts and partial funding under the "Material Characterization …

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Effect Of Allopurinol And Hemin On Some Biological Markers Of Aging In Broiler Chickens, Dinesh Singh Rathore Aug 1999

Effect Of Allopurinol And Hemin On Some Biological Markers Of Aging In Broiler Chickens, Dinesh Singh Rathore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Uric acid has been hypothesized as one of the most important antioxidants in limiting the accumulation of advanced glycolated endproducts in broiler breeder hens. This study was designed to quantitatively manipulate the plasma uric acid concentrations using hemin and allopurinol and determine its effect on skin pentosidine, shear force value of Pectoralis major muscle, plasma glucose, body and breast weight, and chemiluminescence induced oxidative stress in broiler chickens. Allopurinol decreased plasma uric acid, ranging from 26% to 74%, with the most pronounced effect at wk 22. Hemin increased plasma uric acid concentrations between 11 and 14%. Skin pentosidine levels increased …

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Various Pushing Methods On Grid Graphs, Jiaxin Wang Aug 1999

Various Pushing Methods On Grid Graphs, Jiaxin Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis describes algorithms for determining if a grid of switches can be turned into all-off state from any initial configuration by various methods of activation operation (push). Among these push methods, besides the regular "+" push, "+" push with no center, "X" push, "X" push with no center, and a "V"-typed unbalanced push are studied. The research methods used in this work are mainly linear algebra and algorithm analysis. Results obtained include that the grid m x n is completely solvable with push "+" no center, if and only if co-prime (m+1, n+1).

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