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Ant Colony Heuristics For The Dynamic Facility Layout Problem, Jin Shang Aug 2002

Ant Colony Heuristics For The Dynamic Facility Layout Problem, Jin Shang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As global economic competition and cooperation become more and more drastic, the enterprise's facility layout needs to be more flexible to adapt to the rapidly changing environment. Therefore, attention should be given to the dynamical nature of the facility layout. In other words, the flow of materials between departments changes during the planning horizon (multiple periods) and should be considered. This problem is known as the dynamic facility layout problem (DFLP).;This research proposes three heuristics based on the ant colony optimization (ACO) heuristic to solve the DFLP. The performance of the heuristics was evaluated using two data sets taken from …

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Study Of Natural Gas Vehicles (Ngv) During The Fast Fill Process, Eric Paul Shipley Aug 2002

Study Of Natural Gas Vehicles (Ngv) During The Fast Fill Process, Eric Paul Shipley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Natural gas is being used as an alternative fuel to gasoline. Natural gas vehicle (NGV) refueling stations, however, are not able to guarantee a 100% full fill to NGV's. A system was designed and built to better understand the characteristics of CNG during the fill process. Useful characteristics of CNG during the fill process are temperature, pressure, and flow rate, as well as, total volume dispensed. CNG is dispensed to an NGV through a process known as the fast fill process, since it is completed in less than five minutes. The system that was built is transportable, which means that …

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Telecommunications For A Deregulated Power Industry, Biju Naduvathuparambil Aug 2002

Telecommunications For A Deregulated Power Industry, Biju Naduvathuparambil

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Telecommunication plays a very important role in the effective monitoring and control of the power grid. Deregulation of the US power industry has enabled utilities to explore various communication options and advanced technologies. Utilities are increasingly investing in distributed resources, dynamic real-time monitoring, automated meter reading, and value added services like home energy management systems and broadband access for its customers. Telecommunication options like power line communications (PLC) and satellites are fast replacing legacy telephone and microwave systems in the US.;The objective of this thesis is to study the communication options that are available for utilities today. Phasor measurement units …

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Small Cycle Cover, Group Coloring With Related Problems, Xiangwen Li May 2002

Small Cycle Cover, Group Coloring With Related Problems, Xiangwen Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Bondy conjectured that if G is a simple 2-connected graph with n ≥ 3 vertices, then the edges of G can be covered by at most 2n-33 cycles. In Chapter 2, a result on small cycle cover is obtained and we also show that the result is as best as possible.;Thomassen conjectured that every 4-connected line graph is hamiltonian. In Chapters 3 and 4, we apply Catlin's reduction method to study cycles in line graphs. Results about hamiltonian connectivity of line graphs and 3-edge-connected graphs are obtained. Several former results are extended.;Jaeger, Linial, Payan and Tarsi introduced group coloring in …

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Edge Coloring Of Simple Graphs And Edge -Face Coloring Of Simple Plane Graphs, Rong Luo May 2002

Edge Coloring Of Simple Graphs And Edge -Face Coloring Of Simple Plane Graphs, Rong Luo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

We prove that chie( G) = Delta if Delta ≥ 5 and g ≥ 4, or Delta ≥ 4 and g ≥ 5, or Delta ≥ 3 and g ≥ 9. In addition, if chi(Sigma) > 0, then chie( G) = Delta if Delta ≥ 3 and g ≥ 8 where Delta, g is the maximum degree, the girth of the graph G, respectively.;It is proved that G is not critical if d¯ ≤ 6 and Delta ≥ 8, or d¯ ≤ 203 and Delta ≥ 9. This result generalizes earlier results.;Given a simple plane graph G, an edge-face k-coloring of …

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Development Of An Innovative Connection For Frp Bridge Decks To Steel Girders, Jennifer Elaine Righman May 2002

Development Of An Innovative Connection For Frp Bridge Decks To Steel Girders, Jennifer Elaine Righman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The focus of this study is to develop an efficient connection to attach FRP bridge decks to steel girders. A new connection is designed which is versatile, cost-efficient, reliable and easy to install. The performance of this connection is then verified experimentally by a two-phase testing program. The first phase is concerned with individual component testing using modified push-out tests. The second phase is directed to implementing the connection in a reduced-scale bridge to evaluate the connection's system-level performance. Results of the experimental testing program are discussed. In addition, a finite element model of the reduced-scale bridge is formulated and …

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Analysis Of Complex Ventilation Networks In Multiple Fan Coal Mines, Khaled Ali El-Nagdy May 2002

Analysis Of Complex Ventilation Networks In Multiple Fan Coal Mines, Khaled Ali El-Nagdy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coal mines require very effective and proper ventilation systems not only to keep the levels of explosive, harmful gases and dust to a safe level but also to deliver enough fresh air for miners to breathe. Depending upon the size of the mine and the quantity of gases and dust in this mine, it could be ventilated by using a single fan or several fans. There are two types of fans used in mines: vane axial and centrifugal.;In multiple-fan systems, each individual fan influences the performance of the whole system, including the other fans. Each fan in the system has …

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Instructional Alternative For Underprepared Students, Deborah A. Thomas May 2002

Instructional Alternative For Underprepared Students, Deborah A. Thomas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This quasi-experimental study examined the use of daily drills as a supplemental instructional alternative for underprepared students enrolled in General Psychology courses at a midwestern open-admission community college. Underprepared students were defined as those students whose Nelson-Denny Reading Test score fell below community college entrance level criteria. Daily one-minute drills of course content were provided to all participants in the experimental group. Lectures, discussion, and class activities were provided to both groups. The experimental and control group were compared using retention data, reading scores, and exam scores. Although more students in the experimental group withdrew from the course, most withdrew …

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Comparison Of 19mm Superpave And Marshall Base Ii Mixes In West Virginia, Vasavi Kanneganti May 2002

Comparison Of 19mm Superpave And Marshall Base Ii Mixes In West Virginia, Vasavi Kanneganti

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements (Superpave(TM)) asphalt concrete mix design method was developed through Strategic Highway Program (SHRP) in 1993. With the introduction of Superpave mix design, the Marshall method of mix design is becoming obsolete for highway pavements. Superpave implementation varies by state. The WVDOH has implemented Superpave on all National Highway System projects since 1997. The decision regarding implementation of Superpave for low volume roads in WV is still under review.;The primary objective of this research work was to compare the 19mm Superpave and Base II Marshall design mixes in WV to supplement information required for WVDOH to …

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Effects Of D -Amphetamine And Morphine On Behavior Maintained By Fixed -Interval Schedules, Jennifer L. Johnson May 2002

Effects Of D -Amphetamine And Morphine On Behavior Maintained By Fixed -Interval Schedules, Jennifer L. Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The present experiments tested the effects of d-amphetamine and morphine on pigeons' responding during conventional and clocked FI schedules of food reinforcement. The first experiment compared performance between FI 5-min and continuously clocked FI 5-min components of a multiple schedule in which the rate of the houselight flashing increased in a continuous manner. The second experiment examined the differences between keypecking maintained by FI 5-min, response-dependent clocked FI 5-min, and response-independent clocked FI 5-min components of a multiple schedule. In the response-dependent clocked FI component, each peck produced a stimulus change that was correlated with the passage of time, while …

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Chebyshev Pseudospectral Methods For Conservation Laws With Source Terms And Applications To Multiphase Flow, Scott Alan Sarra May 2002

Chebyshev Pseudospectral Methods For Conservation Laws With Source Terms And Applications To Multiphase Flow, Scott Alan Sarra

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pseudospectral methods are well known to produce superior results for the solution of partial differential equations whose solutions have a certain amount of regularity. Recent advances have made possible the use of spectral methods for the solution of conservation laws whose solutions may contain shocks. We use a recently described Super Spectral Viscosity method to obtain stable approximations of Systems of Nonlinear Hyperbolic Conservation Laws. A recently developed postprocessing method, which is theoretically capable of completely removing the Gibbs phenomenon from the Super Spectral Viscosity approximation, is examined. The postprocessing method has shown great promise when applied in some simple …

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Nondestructive Evaluation Of Frp Composite Members Using Infrared Thermography, Gurudutt Sundara Ram Bangalore May 2002

Nondestructive Evaluation Of Frp Composite Members Using Infrared Thermography, Gurudutt Sundara Ram Bangalore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this research is to establish infrared thermography as an effective tool for nondestructive evaluation of structural members made of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials. The applicability of this method for the detection of subsurface anomalies such as voids, cracks, debonding, and delaminations in concrete bridge decks and pavements and in some configurations of FRP decks has been studied earlier by other researchers. These earlier studies have yielded reasonably satisfactory results though further refinement of the methodology and improvements in the image processing techniques were recommended.;To enhance the effectiveness of the infrared thermography technique, it is important …

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Random Search Of And-Or Graphs Representing Finite-State Models, David Robert Owen May 2002

Random Search Of And-Or Graphs Representing Finite-State Models, David Robert Owen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Model checking tools have been effective in testing concurrent software represented by communicating finite-state machines. But these tools may require a very large amount of memory. A finite-state model can be translated automatically into a compact AND-OR graph. We use an abductive random search scheme to extract, from the AND-OR graph, information about the execution of the program represented by the original finite-state model.;We use the search to measure testability. For AND-OR graphs representing highly testable programs, we find quickly everything it is possible to find; that is, if the number of unique goals found is plotted, we see a …

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Tone Classification Of Syllable -Segmented Thai Speech Based On Multilayer Perceptron, Nuttavudh Satravaha May 2002

Tone Classification Of Syllable -Segmented Thai Speech Based On Multilayer Perceptron, Nuttavudh Satravaha

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Thai is a monosyllabic and tonal language. Thai makes use of tone to convey lexical information about the meaning of a syllable. Thai has five distinctive tones and each tone is well represented by a single F0 contour pattern. In general, a Thai syllable with a different tone has a different lexical meaning. Thus, to completely recognize a spoken Thai syllable, a speech recognition system has not only to recognize a base syllable but also to correctly identify a tone. Hence, tone classification of Thai speech is an essential part of a Thai speech recognition system.;In this study, a tone …

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Design And Implementation Of Web-Based Gis For Forest Fragmentation Analysis, Fei Wang May 2002

Design And Implementation Of Web-Based Gis For Forest Fragmentation Analysis, Fei Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The advantages and limitations of current web GIS software for forest fragmentation information and analysis functionality were investigated using Landsat Thematic Mapper data of 1987 to 1999 for a test site in northern West Virginia. ESRI's ArcIMS technology was used to build a Web-based forest fragmentation analysis system to query, represent, and analyze the status of forest fragmentation using landscape metrics. Both ArcIMS HTML and Java fragmentation analysis tools were constructed. The web GIS was evaluated with respect to accessibility, navigation, interactive cartographic functionality, and spatial analysis functionality. The current ArcIMS approach was found to offer only limited support for …

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Dynamic Model Of The Interface Reactions In An Aircraft Bomb Rack Due To An External Store, Tim C. Schoppert May 2002

Dynamic Model Of The Interface Reactions In An Aircraft Bomb Rack Due To An External Store, Tim C. Schoppert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In today's downsizing environment, more demands than ever are being placed on aircraft flight test programs. To compensate for shrinking budgets and increased requirements, new and more versatile test techniques and data processing systems must be developed. Standard flight test procedures must be reexamined and optimized to maximize the availability of the test asset while processing the collected data more quickly and at a lower cost.;This research demonstrated the ability to predict the reaction loads transmitted to an aircraft bomb rack due to the inertial forces acting on an external store. These load calculations typically require lengthy test programs with …

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Ncaa Division I Student Athlete Characteristics As Indicators Of Academic Achievement And Graduation From College, Bradley David Ridpath May 2002

Ncaa Division I Student Athlete Characteristics As Indicators Of Academic Achievement And Graduation From College, Bradley David Ridpath

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine if NCAA Division I student athlete characteristics of graduation, presented in the literature and previous research, can be generalized to student athletes in the Mid-American Conference using research based conclusions developed from this study. The study identified seven characteristics prominent in the literature and made conclusions to ascertain if information provided on the characteristics, as presented in the literature, can be generalized to the Mid-American Conference. The research population for this study was N = 1430. The population represented student athletes at the 13 schools of the Mid-American Conference. All student athletes …

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Flow Unit Prediction With Limited Permeability Data Using Artificial Neural Network Analysis, Benjamin Hale Thomas May 2002

Flow Unit Prediction With Limited Permeability Data Using Artificial Neural Network Analysis, Benjamin Hale Thomas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Appalachian Basin has numerous abandoned or marginally producing oilfields having significant recoverable oil remaining in place. Typically production records and reservoir data is not available. Presented is a new methodology, applicable to any field having limited records, designed for reservoir characterization via flow unit identification.;This methodology utilizes limited core permeability data from a few wells as a key to predicting flow units within a field when only log-based data is available. Primary software tools used include NeuroShell 2, an artificial neural network (ANN) program, and the Boast98 numerical simulator.;Various techniques for flow unit identification including graphic approaches using the …

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Effects Of Morphine, D-Amphetamine, And Food Deprivation On Temporally Organized Behavior, Todd William Knealing May 2002

Effects Of Morphine, D-Amphetamine, And Food Deprivation On Temporally Organized Behavior, Todd William Knealing

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Two experiments examined the effects of morphine and d-amphetamine on behavior that was temporally organized under several schedule arrangements. Two body weights were assessed for each experiment. Experiment 1 made use of fixed-interval (FI) schedules, the peak procedure, and a two-key (free-operant psychophysical) procedure. Indexes of timing performance under each of these schedules were assessed and compared. Timing indexes were decreased by both drugs in the two-key procedure, but were not reliably altered in the peak procedure. Both drugs produced clear rate-dependent effects on behavior in both procedures. In Experiment 2, FI performance was assessed both alone and with a …

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Whitney Preserving Maps, Benjamin Espinoza May 2002

Whitney Preserving Maps, Benjamin Espinoza

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

We connect Whitney levels and continuous functions between continua to obtain the new notion of Whitney preserving maps. We introduce the basic properties of Whitney preserving maps. We give conditions on a continuum X in order that a Whitney preserving map f from X to the unit interval is a homeomorphism, and we give examples to show the conditions are necessary and that the result is false when the range of the map is the unit circle. Concerning the structure of any continuum X, we show that if A is a continuous decomposition of X into nondegenerate terminal continua, then …

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Analysis And Robust Decentralized Control Of Power Systems Using Facts Devices, Karl E. Schoder May 2002

Analysis And Robust Decentralized Control Of Power Systems Using Facts Devices, Karl E. Schoder

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Today's changing electric power systems create a growing need for flexible, reliable, fast responding, and accurate answers to questions of analysis, simulation, and design in the fields of electric power generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. The Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS) technology program utilizes power electronics components to replace conventional mechanical elements yielding increased flexibility in controlling the electric power system. Benefits include decreased response times and improved overall dynamic system behavior. FACTS devices allow the design of new control strategies, e.g., independent control of active and reactive power flows, which were not realizable a decade ago. However, FACTS …

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Parameter Identification Of Induction Motor Using A Genetic Algorithm, Edina Bajrektarevic May 2002

Parameter Identification Of Induction Motor Using A Genetic Algorithm, Edina Bajrektarevic

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

High performance variable-speed machines incorporate a model for the system in either the controller or state estimation stages. The accuracy and general robustness of the machine is dependant on this model. Therefore, it must accurately represent both the electrical and electromagnetic interactions within the machine and associated mechanical systems. Recently, some new technologies have been tested in the field of electromechanics like neural networks, fuzzy logic, simulated annealing and genetic algorithms. These methods are increasingly being utilized in solving electric machine problems.;In this thesis, a genetic algorithm (GA)---a form of artificial intelligence---is employed to identify the electric parameters of induction …

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Design Of A Prototype Personal Static Var Compensator, Scott Alan Zemerick May 2002

Design Of A Prototype Personal Static Var Compensator, Scott Alan Zemerick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The focus of this thesis is the design and implementation of a personal static var compensator (PSVC) for distributed var control through load power factor correction. The PSVC demonstrates the two key benefits of power factor correction, which include decreased power costs and increased system capacity. The PSVC prototype consists of two types of branches---a TSC branch and a TCR branch. A microprocessor is responsible for calculating the load displacement power factor (PFD) and for executing the fuzzy logic control scheme for the two branches. The PSVC was found to reduce the RMS current drawn by a 55-watt AC motor …

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Modeling The Pultrusion Process To Obtain Low Void Fraction Composites, Adam Douglas Freed May 2002

Modeling The Pultrusion Process To Obtain Low Void Fraction Composites, Adam Douglas Freed

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This work was directed at improving the strength and durability of pultruded composites. Pultruded composites are being used in an increasingly wider range of applications, and, as a result, a higher demand has been placed on the performance capabilities of the various components.;One target area for improving composites is the fraction of voids in the final product. The presence of voids in a composite decreases the Interlaminar Shear Strength, provides a site for the formation of fractures, and increases the susceptibility of the part to outside contaminants.;In this work, the various steps of the pultrusion process are analyzed in order …

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Energy Analysis And Diagnostics In Wood Manufacturing Industry, Amol Anant Mate May 2002

Energy Analysis And Diagnostics In Wood Manufacturing Industry, Amol Anant Mate

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

It would be extremely beneficial if more energy analysis and research is done in wood manufactring (SIC 24). This thesis and research work is concerned with the energy analysis and diagnostics in wood manufacturing industry in West Virginia. This work involves actually conducting site assessments at several lumber and wood manufacturing plants in West Virginia. Using the collected data, we determined energy conservation opportunities and made recommendations. It is important that manufacturers understand the potential for these assessment recommendations with respect to the parameters governing them. Research emphasis is on the demand side management. We found that demand charge plays …

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Nucleation And Coagulation Of Particulate Matter Inside A Turbulent Exhaust Plume Of A Diesel Vehicle, Donghee Kim May 2002

Nucleation And Coagulation Of Particulate Matter Inside A Turbulent Exhaust Plume Of A Diesel Vehicle, Donghee Kim

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this study is to develop a physical model to accurately predict the nucleation, coagulation, and dynamics of particulate matter emission from diesel-fueled engines. The uniqueness of this research is that measured particulate matter (PM) size distribution data is not required a priori to solve the nucleation/coagulation equations; instead the PM concentration is predicted based on the fuel sulfur content, fuel to air ratio, exhaust flow rate, and the ambient conditions. This study presents the CFD modeling of an exhaust plume dispersed from a stack pipe of a tractor truck powered by a 330 HP diesel engine. This …

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The Effect Of Student Verses Teacher Instruction On Motor Skill Acquisition., Mary Ann Deluca Jan 2002

The Effect Of Student Verses Teacher Instruction On Motor Skill Acquisition., Mary Ann Deluca

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The primary purpose of this analysis was to evaluate whether student assistants in the gymnasium could assist the teacher in improving skill development. In this study, six novice students were chosen from a 5 th grade class based on scores from a pretest of juggling catches and cascades. One other fifth grade student from the same class was chosen as a student assistant by the physical education teacher based on leadership, maturation, respect, and maturity. Six single case studies were conducted for approximately 16 days. Supplementary dependent variables such as feedback, verbal cues, and modeling were also examined. These dependent …

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Attachment, Gender, And Personality: An Exploration Into The Affective Components Of Adult Attachment In A Non-Clinical Sample., Daniel Joseph Fox Jan 2002

Attachment, Gender, And Personality: An Exploration Into The Affective Components Of Adult Attachment In A Non-Clinical Sample., Daniel Joseph Fox

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study used a total of 243 undergraduate students to examine differences in attachment style and personality. The Hazan and Shaver (1987) attachment measure and the Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew and Horowitz, 1991) were used to discern attachment type. The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire-155 (Patrick, Curtin, & Tellegan, 2000) and the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, Second Edition (Fritts & Warren, 1996) were used to identify global personality variables. Findings revealed that the two attachment measures are highly related, and positive correlations were found between the global personality constructs of Positive Emotionality, Constraint, and Total Self-concept. The constructs of Negative Emotionality and Conflict were …

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Technologies Of A "New World" Citizenship: American Frontier Narratives In The Late-Twentieth Century., Catherine Courtney Gouge Jan 2002

Technologies Of A "New World" Citizenship: American Frontier Narratives In The Late-Twentieth Century., Catherine Courtney Gouge

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many contemporary American narratives about frontiers emphasize the displacement of the American Dream of infinite resources to a space that is always just beyond our reach and underscore the effect of the frontier as a means for Americans to organize a psychic identity, an identity that achieves stability and coherence through images of exploring and colonizing the frontier. Such texts invoke images of power and control to suggest that to be American we must find and pursue frontiers. Each of the late-twentieth century American narratives I look at in this project testifies to the enduring power of the concept of …

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Recurrent Participation In Rockcamp: Perceptions Of A K-12 Professional Development Program In Geology., Thomas Edward Repine Jan 2002

Recurrent Participation In Rockcamp: Perceptions Of A K-12 Professional Development Program In Geology., Thomas Edward Repine

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The geological experiences of six teachers with a history of sustained participation in the RockCamp geology professional development program were investigated. The research premise was based on Gordon's (1961, 1971) and Joyce and Weil's (1996) descriptions of the usefulness of synectics to present new ways of looking at familiar situations. The overarching goal was to delineate both reasons for participation and tropologically characterizations of their recurrent (sustained) participation. Qualitative data reflecting participatory perceptions were obtained using a series of three semi-structured interviews and an individually variable number of follow-up sessions. Additional data were derived from participant-constructed concept maps and a …

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