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Techno-Economic Studies Of Coal-Biomass To Liquids (Cbtl) Plants With Co2 Capture And Storage (Ccs), Yuan Jiang
Techno-Economic Studies Of Coal-Biomass To Liquids (Cbtl) Plants With Co2 Capture And Storage (Ccs), Yuan Jiang
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Due to insecurity in the crude oil supply and global warming, various alternative technologies for fuel production are being investigated. In this project, indirect, direct, and hybrid liquefaction routes are investigated for production of transportation fuels from coal and biomass. Indirect coal liquefaction (ICL) and direct coal liquefaction (DCL) technologies are commercially available, but both processes are plagued with high carbon footprint. Furthermore, significant amount of hydrogen is required in the DCL process leading not only to higher cost but resulting in considerable amount of CO2 production. Addition of biomass and application of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are …
Secondary Voltage Control Using Singular Value Decomposition By Discovering Community Structures In Power Networks, Talha Iqbal
Secondary Voltage Control Using Singular Value Decomposition By Discovering Community Structures In Power Networks, Talha Iqbal
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Voltage and Frequency control are the two fundamental control problems in power systems. Unlike frequency control, voltage control is complicated by the fact that reactive power can't travel far distances from its source of generation. Due to this distributed nature of reactive power, voltage control is usually performed in decentralized manner. Typically, voltage control problem is divided into a three-level hierarchical structure namely primary, secondary and tertiary voltage control.;The aim of this thesis is to present an optimal secondary voltage control by decomposing a large power system into small subsystems called voltage control areas (VCAs) using the fast community detection …
Application Of Computer Vision For Roller Operation Management, Mohammad Hadi Niki Rashidi
Application Of Computer Vision For Roller Operation Management, Mohammad Hadi Niki Rashidi
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Compaction is the last and possibly the most important phase in construction of asphalt concrete (AC) pavements. Compaction densifies the loose (AC) mat, producing a stable surface with low permeability. The process strongly affects the AC performance properties. Too much compaction may cause aggregate degradation and low air void content facilitating bleeding and rutting. On the other hand too little compaction may result in higher air void content facilitating oxidation and water permeability issues, rutting due to further densification by traffic and reduced fatigue life. Therefore, compaction is a critical issue in AC pavement construction.;The common practice for compacting a …
Determination Of Strain Patterns Across The Root-Stem Transition Zone In Trees, Kenneth Edward Beezley
Determination Of Strain Patterns Across The Root-Stem Transition Zone In Trees, Kenneth Edward Beezley
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Trees are subjected to mechanical stressors, induced via dynamic (wind) and static (gravitational) forces, and must properly acclimate during their lifespan or face premature mortality. Resource allocation as a stress response is vital for tree survival, and can include the shedding of woody parts, adaptive growth, hormonal signaling cascades, and the initiation of energy transfer mechanisms. The strain resulting from stress intercepted by the canopy and transferred throughout the tree is of significant importance, not only for tree survival, but for the safety and well-being of the human population found in close proximity. As trees age and adapt to stressors …
Risk Perception And Awareness Of Oil And Natural Gas Safety Among Local Populations In The Eastern Province Of Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Wajeeh Aljanabi
Risk Perception And Awareness Of Oil And Natural Gas Safety Among Local Populations In The Eastern Province Of Jubail, Saudi Arabia, Wajeeh Aljanabi
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The main goal of this research was to examine the residents' and Saudi Aramco employees' awareness of risks to public health and the environment as a result of their close proximity to oil and natural gas production facilities in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. The research objective was to characterize social representations of industrial activities by different social actors in order to enhance public participation in the region's risk management plan. Social representation theory was adopted to understand the risk perception of members of the community, both residents and oil plus natural gas employees. Residents were represented by faculty and …
Analysis Of Data Stratification In A Multi-Sensor Fingerprint Dataset Using Match Score Statistics, Loukhya Kakumanu
Analysis Of Data Stratification In A Multi-Sensor Fingerprint Dataset Using Match Score Statistics, Loukhya Kakumanu
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Biometric data is an essential feature employed in testing the performance of any real time biometric recognition system prior to its usage. The variations introduced in the match performance critically determine the authenticity of the biometric data to be able to be used in an everyday scenario for the testing of biometric verification systems. This study in totality aims at understanding the impact of data stratification of a such a biometric test dataset on the match performance of each of its stratum. In order to achieve this goal, the fingerprint dataset of the West Virginia University's 2012 BioCOP has been …
Analysis Of Curved Composite Beam, Manish Aggarwal
Analysis Of Curved Composite Beam, Manish Aggarwal
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Composite materials are steadily replacing traditional materials in many engineering applications due to several benefits such as high strength to weight ratio and the ability to tailor the material for specific purposes. Over the last several decades the analysis of straight beams has received considerable attention while there is very little focus on curved composite beams.;In the present study, the formulation of the bending of a curved composite beam is based on the bending theory of thick shells. A variational formulation is employed to derive the governing equations. A consistent methodology is applied to reduce the two-dimensional nature of the …
Next Generation Online Math I Course Evaluation, Jennifer Francis
Next Generation Online Math I Course Evaluation, Jennifer Francis
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
An evaluation was conducted on the Next Generation Online Math I course implemented at Philip Barbour High School in Philippi, West Virginia. These online math modules are considered a blended learning environment as they incorporate some level of online learning in a face-to-face environment. Current research in blended learning has not shown consistent results in student achievement. Pre- post-test data, benchmark data, and summative yearly assessment data were collected. Results show that students had significant learning gains but did not typically score mastery on unit post-tests. Students in the blended learning environment, with a non-certified teacher, scored similarly to students …
Midi Electronic Wind Instrument: A Study Of The Instrument And Selected Works, Matthew J. Swallow
Midi Electronic Wind Instrument: A Study Of The Instrument And Selected Works, Matthew J. Swallow
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The development of the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) electronic wind instrument (EWI) stemmed from earlier electronic instruments including analog/digital synthesizers, earlier control devices (Lyricon), and electronic instruments using a "blow tube trigger generator" (Yamaha WX) or breath controllers (Yamaha BC). Developing such devices began as early as the 1940s and were originally intended for compositional use instead of performance. However, the technology of electro-acoustic sounds continued to expand commercially from the 1950s through the 1970s, including more general access to sound synthesis and live performance. Various companies including Yamaha, Akai, Moog, Korg, and others would establish lines of synthesizers …
Sites Of Education: Race, Memory, And The Conflicting Discourses Of Learning In America, 1827-1914, Douglas Terry
Sites Of Education: Race, Memory, And The Conflicting Discourses Of Learning In America, 1827-1914, Douglas Terry
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
This dissertation is a cultural study that challenges the handling of race in the history of American education by exploring how educational discourse shapes race. It argues that education itself is a manifestation of race, inseparable from the iterative processes of racial formation. While we take it as a prevailing truism that race is learned, this dissertation shows how the educational system itself is central to this learning.;It explores race in the educational landscape in a similar way to how scholars explore tension between history and cultural memory. In this manner, the dissertation focuses on what it terms "sites of …
Using The Instructional Beliefs Model To Examine Instructional Feedback In The Classroom, Melissa F. Tindage
Using The Instructional Beliefs Model To Examine Instructional Feedback In The Classroom, Melissa F. Tindage
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the role that instructional feedback plays in student engagement using Weber, Martin, and Myers's (2001) Instructional Beliefs Model (IBM). The proposed IBM for this dissertation included first-order constructs (i.e., instructional feedback, course workload, course difficulty, and students' feedback orientation), a second-order construct (i.e., feedback self-efficacy), and a third-order construct (i.e., student engagement). As hypothesized, instructional feedback (i.e., developmental, fairness) is positively associated with feedback self-efficacy, while course workload and course difficulty are negatively associated with feedback self- efficacy. However, only two dimensions of students' feedback orientation (i.e., utility, retention) were positively associated …
The Effects Of Overprotective Parenting On Academic Self-Esteem: The Moderating Role Of Teachers, Brittany R. Valdez
The Effects Of Overprotective Parenting On Academic Self-Esteem: The Moderating Role Of Teachers, Brittany R. Valdez
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Overprotective parenting, or "helicopter parenting" as it is known in the media, is characterized by high levels of behavioral and psychological control, and has been found by previous empirical studies to be linked to several maladaptive child outcomes (Wood, McLeod, Sigman, Hwang, & Chu, 2003). These outcomes include increased levels of anxiety, depression (Bayer, Sanson, & Hemphill, 2006; LeMoyne & Buchanan, 2011; Schiffrin, Liss, Miles-McLean, Geary, & Erchull 2013), and shyness (Bayer, et al., 2006; Rubin, Coplan, & Bowker, 2009) as well as decreased academic outcomes (Bernstein & Triger, 2010; Padilla-Walker & Nelson, 2012). However, much of the research regarding …
A Feasibility Study For The Automated Monitoring And Control Of Mine Water Discharges, Christopher R. Vass
A Feasibility Study For The Automated Monitoring And Control Of Mine Water Discharges, Christopher R. Vass
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The chemical treatment of mine-influenced waters is a longstanding environmental challenge for many coal operators, particularly in Central Appalachia. Mining conditions in this region present several unique obstacles to meeting NPDES effluent limits. Outlets that discharge effluent are often located in remote areas with challenging terrain where conditions do not facilitate the implementation of large-scale commercial treatment systems. Furthermore, maintenance of these systems is often laborious, expensive, and time consuming. Many large mining complexes discharge water from numerous outlets, while using environmental technicians to assess the water quality and treatment process multiple times per day. Unfortunately, this treatment method when …
First Semester Calculus Students' Concept Definitions And Concept Images Of The Tangent Line And How These Relate To Students' Understandings Of The Derivative, Brittany Vincent
First Semester Calculus Students' Concept Definitions And Concept Images Of The Tangent Line And How These Relate To Students' Understandings Of The Derivative, Brittany Vincent
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The purpose of this dissertation is to examine how students define and think about the tangent line in first semester calculus and investigate the influence of these ways of thinking on their understandings of the derivative. Students' conceptions of the tangent line were explored through four primary tasks: defining and constructing tangent lines, sketching the derivative, and graphically interpreting the formal symbolic definition of the derivative. The first two tasks were designed to access students' knowledge of tangent lines, and the second two tasks drew upon their ability to apply this knowledge and connect the tangent line to the derivative. …
Chebyshev Polynomials And Fibonacci Numbers, Nurul Wahyuni
Chebyshev Polynomials And Fibonacci Numbers, Nurul Wahyuni
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The Chebyshev polynomials arise in several mathematical contexts such as approximation theory, numerical integration, and differential equations. Here we study a combinatorial interpretation of Chebyshev polynomials due to Shapiro, and we use it to give a slight variation of a combinatorial proof of Binet's Formula due to Benjamin, Derks and Quinn. Another beautiful formula for the Fibonacci numbers involves complex roots of unity. Presently, no combinatorial proof is known. We give combinatorial proofs of some related identities as progress toward a full combinatorial proof.
On Supereulerian Digraphs, Mansour Jarbo Algefari
On Supereulerian Digraphs, Mansour Jarbo Algefari
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
A digraph D is eulerian if D is connected and for any v ∈ V ( D), d+D( v) = d-D( v). A digraph D is supereulerian if D contains a spanning eulerian subdigraph. A digraph D is a closed ditrail if it is eulerian. This dissertation focuses on the sufficient conditions for a digraph to be supereulerian and we discussed it for the following conditions.;1. Matching number condition. Let D be a digraph and G be a graph. Let lambda(D) be the arc-strong connectivity of D, alpha(D) be the independence number of D, alpha'(D) be the size of a …
Advanced Reservoir Modeling And Fluid Flow Studies Of Natural Gas Production From The Hydrate Reservoirs Of The Alaska North Slope, Taiwo Ajayi
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The emerging possibility of the production of gas hydrates as an unconventional source of energy have spurred many objectives for research studies going on in this area. One of these is the U.S national hydrate research program with a primary goal of determining the tools and technologies for environmentally safe gas production from hydrate reservoirs. The work presented in this thesis is motivated by the need to provide reliable reservoir model-based predictions to support proposed long-term hydrate field production tests on the Alaska North Slope permafrost. While first order predictions have been made from reservoir models based on assumptions of …
Robust Video Stabilization And Quality Evaluation For Amateur Videos, Usha Kalyani Alluri
Robust Video Stabilization And Quality Evaluation For Amateur Videos, Usha Kalyani Alluri
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Amateur videos captured by consumer-level devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablets, camcorders etc.) are often shaky, undirected and difficult to watch. Video stabilization techniques attempt to improve the video quality by filtering out unwanted jittering camera motions. Currently there are two key challenges in the field of video stabilization: robustness (e.g., in the presence of sophisticated camera motion including panning and rotation) and quality evaluation. Therefore the main contributions of this thesis are two-fold.;First, we present a robust video stabilization algorithm, which post-processes shaky video data and addresses the challenges of rapid camera panning and motion blur. Our algorithm is based …
Modeling And Simulation Of A Free-Piston Engine With Electrical Generator Using Hcci Combustion, Mohammad Alrbai
Modeling And Simulation Of A Free-Piston Engine With Electrical Generator Using Hcci Combustion, Mohammad Alrbai
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Free-piston engines have the potential to challenge the conventional crankshaft engines by their design simplicity and higher operational efficiency. Many studies have been performed to overcome the limitations of the free-piston devices especially the stability and control issues.;The investigations within the presented dissertation aim to satisfy many objectives by employing the approach of chemical kinetics to present the combustion process in the free-piston engine. This approach in addition to its advanced accuracy over the empirical methods, it has many other features like the ability to analyze the engine emissions. The effect of the heat release rate (HRR) on the engine …
Well-Defined Lagrangian Flows For Absolutely Continuous Curves Of Probabilities On The Line, Mohamed H. Amsaad
Well-Defined Lagrangian Flows For Absolutely Continuous Curves Of Probabilities On The Line, Mohamed H. Amsaad
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
It is known from Fluid Mechanics that, the time-evolution of a probability measure describing some physical quantity (such as the density of a fluid) is related to the velocity of the fluid by the continuity equation. This is known as the Eulerian description of fluid flow. Dually, the Lagrangian description uses the flow of the velocity field to look at the individual trajectories of particles. In the case of flows on the real line, only recently has it been discovered that "some sort'' of dual Lagrangian flow consisting of monotone maps is always available to match an Eulerian flow. The …
A Computational Model For Thermal Management Of Battery Storage Systems, Mehmet Aygun
A Computational Model For Thermal Management Of Battery Storage Systems, Mehmet Aygun
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Fossil fuel based power generation causes air pollution and climate change. The consequences of these two factors are of at most importance for future generations. Thus, renewable energy sources can play a significant role by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. However, if the energy storage problem is not solved renewable sources will not be useful. Sodium sulfur battery (NaS) is one of the practical solutions to store wind and solar energy. A NaS battery is comprised of two liquid electrodes and one solid electrolyte which operate between 300-350 °C. The molten sodium is in anode electrode, the molten sulfur …
Safe Semi-Supervised Learning With Sparse Graphs, Prithish Banerjee
Safe Semi-Supervised Learning With Sparse Graphs, Prithish Banerjee
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
There has been substantial interest from both computer science and statistics in developing methods for graph-based semi-supervised learning. The attraction to the area involves several challenging applications brought forth from academia and industry where little data are available with training responses while lots of data are available overall. Ample evidence has demonstrated the value of several of these methods on real data applications, but it should be kept in mind that they heavily rely on some smoothness assumptions. The general frame- work for graph-based semi-supervised learning is to optimize a smooth function over the nodes of the proximity graph constructed …
Impact Of Being A West Virginia State Ffa President On Career And Personal Accomplishments As Perceived By Past State Ffa Presidents 1955 To 2005, Jada M. Bennett
Impact Of Being A West Virginia State Ffa President On Career And Personal Accomplishments As Perceived By Past State Ffa Presidents 1955 To 2005, Jada M. Bennett
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
This descriptive survey study was designed to identify the impact of being a West Virginia State FFA President elected between the years of 1955-2005 on career and personal accomplishments. The population consisted of 51 people who were elected to the office of West Virginia FFA President, the response rate was 69%. A survey which was composed of four main question sets was mailed to the accessible population.;Questions focused on their SAE and FFA experience, involvement in community and school activities, leadership skills, and demographics. Data were collected and analyzed to identify contributing factors in each of the constructs. The study …
Modeling And Simulation Of Components In An Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Plant For Developing Sensor Networks To Detect Faults, Pratik Pednekar
Modeling And Simulation Of Components In An Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Plant For Developing Sensor Networks To Detect Faults, Pratik Pednekar
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The goal of this work is to help synthesize a sensor network to detect and diagnose faults and to monitor conditions of the key equipment items. The desired algorithm for sensor network design would provide information about the number, type and location of sensors that should be deployed for fault diagnosis and condition monitoring of a plant. In this work, the focus was on the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plant where the faults at the equipment level and the plant level are considered separately. At the plant level, the objective is to observe whether a fault has occurred …
Development Of Emission Factors (Efs) Model For Coal Train Loading Operations, Bisleshana Brahma Prakash
Development Of Emission Factors (Efs) Model For Coal Train Loading Operations, Bisleshana Brahma Prakash
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The objectives of this research were to conduct an analysis of dust emission and to develop a dust emission factors (EFs) model for coal train loading operations. To achieve these objectives, field measurements and data collection were carried out at a facility operating along with a coal mine in West Virginia, U.S. The dust emission for the train loading point was determined by two methods: (i) the EPA AP-42 emission factor estimation equations (AP-42 Dust Emission Estimation), and (ii) the methodology used in the development of AP-42 equations (Type-2 Dust Emission Estimation). The analysis of dust emission revealed that dust …
Development Of Real-Time Optimal Control Strategy Of Hybrid Transit Bus Based On Predicted Driving Pattern, Wei Qi
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The control strategy of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) has been an active research area in the past decades. The main goal of the optimal control strategy is to maximize the fuel economy and minimize exhaust emissions while also satisfying the expected vehicle performance. Dynamic programming (DP) is an algorithm capable of finding the global optimal solution of HEV operation. However, DP cannot be used as a real-time control approach as it requires pre-known driving information. The equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) is a real-time control approach, but it always results in local optima due to the non-convex cost function. …
Imaging White Blood Cells Using A Snapshot Hyper-Spectral Imaging System, Christopher John Robison
Imaging White Blood Cells Using A Snapshot Hyper-Spectral Imaging System, Christopher John Robison
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Automated white blood cell (WBC) counting systems process an extracted whole blood sample and provide a cell count. A step that would not be ideal for onsite screening of individuals in triage or at a security gate. Snapshot Hyper-Spectral imaging systems are capable of capturing several spectral bands simultaneously, offering co-registered images of a target. With appropriate optics, these systems are potentially able to image blood cells in vivo as they flow through a vessel, eliminating the need for a blood draw and sample staining. Our group has evaluated the capability of a commercial Snapshot Hyper-Spectral imaging system, specifically the …
Design, Construction, And Qualificataion Of The West Virginia University Environmental Wind Tunnel, Stephen N. Rotruck
Design, Construction, And Qualificataion Of The West Virginia University Environmental Wind Tunnel, Stephen N. Rotruck
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The interaction with the planetary atmosphere is an unavoidable fact when dealing with problems related to aerodynamic studies within the confines of the planet. These include flow effects on bridges, buildings, and various terrain types. Researchers look for more realistic approaches to modeling the complex behavior of the turbulent atmosphere. Environmental wind tunnels (EWTs) were specifically developed to meet this need.;Using parts donated by Cornell University to West Virginia University, a new EWT was built to allow researchers at West Virginia University to begin studying interactions with flow phenomena present in Earth's atmosphere. Problems in the original design required sections …
Mineral Asset Valuation Under Economic Uncertainty: A Complex System For Operational Flexibility, Marcell B. B. Silveira
Mineral Asset Valuation Under Economic Uncertainty: A Complex System For Operational Flexibility, Marcell B. B. Silveira
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The global mineral industry faces constant challenges that are incited and intensified by market uncertainty. Demand constrictions, resource scarcity, and market volatility all generate market risk that is compounded by the high capital and long payback periods inherent to mining projects. Quantitative risk assessments provide a methodology to leverage uncertain economic scenarios and accurately assess profitability; however, current mine valuation techniques and engineering economic approaches tend to scrutinize the uncertainty of technical factors, such as ore grade and metallurgical recovery, to a much greater degree than market factors, like price-demand restrictions. Nevertheless, the optimal operating conditions for mining, mineral processing …
Robustness Of Topological Superconductivity In Solid State Hybrid Structures, Piyapong Sitthison
Robustness Of Topological Superconductivity In Solid State Hybrid Structures, Piyapong Sitthison
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
The non-Abelian statistics of Majorana fermions (MFs) makes them an ideal platform for implementing topological quantum computation. In addition to the fascinating fundamental physics underlying the emergence of MFs, this potential for applications makes the study of these quasiparticles an extremely popular subject in condensed matter physics. The commonly called `Majorana fermions' are zero-energy bound states that emerge near boundaries and defects in topological superconducting phases, which can be engineered, for example, by proximity coupling strong spin-orbit coupling semiconductor nanowires and ordinary s-wave superconductors. The stability of these bound states is determined by the stability of the underlying topological superconducting …