Digital Commons Network^™

The Influence Of Friendship, Friendship Quality, And Gender On Collaborative Processes And Performance., Lisa Marie Swenson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Characteristics of peer collaborators (gender) and the collaborative context (friendship, friendship quality, same-gender peer) may affect task processes and performance. Forty six same-gender adolescent dyads (26 girl dyads, 20 boy dyads; mean age = 15.69 yrs) collaborated on a problem-solving task that involved planning a route around a hypothetical town to obtain various items. Goals for and perceptions of collaboration were assessed as an index of collaborative processes. Performance was assessed through route length, time to complete the task, total cost, and errors on the task. Contrary to predictions, collaborating with a friend, though not detrimental to performance, did not …

"Chuckle While You Work": Subordinates' Perceptions Of Superiors' Humor Orientation, Assertiveness, Responsiveness, Approach/Avoidance Strategies, And Satisfaction., Kristen Campbell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to examine subordinates’ perceptions of superiors’ humor orientation, assertiveness, responsiveness, avoidance strategies, approach strategies, and overall superior satisfaction. Participants were individuals over thirty that work at least 30 hours a week. 158 participants completed surveys. Results of the study show that humor orientation was positively and significantly correlated with responsiveness. Likewise, humor orientation was positively and significantly correlated with superior satisfaction. Humor orientation was also positively and significantly correlated with approach strategies. However, humor orientation was negatively associated with avoidance strategies. Furthermore, a post hoc analysis revealed that females perceived their supervisors as being …

The Influence Of Particle Size On Sand-Pack Properties And Drying Profile., Chandrashekmar S. Gothoskar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The problem of underground contamination including contamination of potable water aquifers is more serious now than ever. Stringent pollution control laws as well as concern for the environment has given birth to the technology for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. The Research conducted thus has proposed a way to contain the contamination from underground storage tanks from spreading and travelling downwards using the principles of desiccation in in-situ formations. The desiccant barrier proposed here is the circulating air barrier (CAB) which utilizes the injection of dry gas or air to create an ultra dry zone in situ. Thus the …

Magnetic Properties Of Silicon-Doped Ferrihydrite Nanoparticles., Paromita Roy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The magnetic properties of nanosized (3-5nm) Si-doped two line ferrihydrites, Six /FeOOH.nH2 O where x = 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.20, 0.26, 0.40, 0.50 have been investigated here. The experiments conducted include temperature(5K – 300K) and magnetic field(upto 55 kOe) variations of magnetization under zero field cooled and field cooled conditions. The quantities determined are the magnetic moment per particle mp , the temperature Tp (m) at which magnetization peaks, the spin glass order transition temperature Tg and the hysteresis loop parameters (coercivity Hc , remanence Mr and saturation magnetization Ms (H ® 0)). The dramatic changes observed in …

The Distribution Of Federal Grants In Appalachia: The Effects Of Race., Steven Ray Gregory

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

African Americans are an economically and socially oppressed group both currently and historically within the American South and Appalachian region. They experience socioeconomic barriers at local and national levels. Even so, within Appalachian counties, populations with greater percentages of African Americans receive greater per capita federal grant spending. Moreover, southern Appalachian counties including counties in the Black Belt region show the most dramatic increases in federal grants. Still, within Appalachian counties receiving increased federal grants, unemployment rates are not affected. Further, metropolitan counties are not benefitting from increased federal grant spending. Consequently, these counties are experiencing economic growth with little …

The Effect Of Calcination Conditions On The Graphitizability Of Novel Synthetic And Coal-Derived Cokes., Barbara Ellen Bennett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The effects of calcination heating rate and ultimate calcination temperature upon calcined coke and subsequent graphitic material microstructures were studied for materials prepared from three different precursors. The pitch precursors used were Mitsubishi AR pitch (a synthetic, 100% mesophase pitch), the NMP-extracted portion of a raw coal, and the NMP-extracted fraction of a coal liquefaction residue obtained from an HTI pilot plant. These materials were all green-coked under identical conditions. Optical microscopy confirmed that the Mitsubishi coke was very anisotropic and the HTI coke was nearly as anisotropic. The coke produced from the direct coal extract was very isotropic. Crystalline …

Advancement In Frp Composites Using Three-Dimensional Stitched Fabrics And Enhancement In Frp Bridge Deck Component Properties., Vimala Shekar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Use of FRP composites in construction industry has been growing rapidly. However, currently all composite products are manufactured with one and/or two dimensional fibers and fabrics (1-D or 2-D). A shortcoming thick composite (> 0.75 in.) made of 1-D or 2-D fabrics is its dramatic reduction in strength, i.e., up to 50% of thin (<0.5 in.) composites. This can be attributed to shear lag leading to ply-by-ply failure; in addition, premature failure of matrix and fibers or the interface failure is very common in thick composites. Therefore, the motivation of the present work is to fabricate and test composites with 3-D stitched fabrics, which overcome the limitations in composites made of 1-D or 2-D fabrics.

In this study, composites were fabricated using 3-D stitched fabrics with different: (1) fiber architecture; (2) stitch density; (3) stitch material; and (4) manufacturing process. Strength and stiffness of composites with 3-D stitched fabrics (at coupon level) under tension, bending and shear loads were experimentally …

The Effects Of Supported Employment Level On The Psychosocial Experiences Of Integrated Workers With Mental Retardation., Jennifer L. Schwartz-Mitchell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Supported employment approaches may have a significant impact on the Psychosocial experiences of workers with mild and moderate mental retardation. The present study examined the influence of supported employment level (i.e., individual vs. group) on the depression, loneliness, and lifestyle satisfaction of employees participating in a vocational rehabilitation program. It was hypothesized that supported employment level differences would be reflected in the dependent variables of depression, loneliness, and lifestyle satisfaction reported by participants (N = 54). Additional predictions were made about relationships between these dependent variables and measures of social support and social skills. Supported employment level differences on depression, …

Paradoxical Interventions With Severe Conduct-Disordered Adolescents: Research Of Treatment Effectiveness., Marsha Anne Mills

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Paradoxical interventions are therapeutic techniques in which the therapist appears to promote the worsening or continuation of the problem rather than its removal. The objective of this treatment is to lessen or eliminate the problematic behavior through the unusual means of encouraging it. Only two previous studies have empirically evaluated these techniques with resistant and defiant youths; those results suggested that paradoxical interventions may be effective with severely conduct-disordered adolescents. This study applied the techniques of symptom scheduling and restraining with three conduct-disordered adolescents residing in a therapeutic group home. The experimental design was a nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants; …

The Relationships Between Communication, Trust, Success, Satisfaction, And Longevity In Ice Dancing And Pairs Skating., Connie Marie Wanlin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between communication, trust, success (i.e., performance outcome), satisfaction, and longevity of competitive pairs and ice dancing teams. The participants were 102 ice dancers (N = 74) and pairs skaters (N = 28) ranging in age from 10-26 (M = 17.40) from training sites in Northeastern Canada and the United States. They represented all levels of competitive experience (Juvenile N = 6, Intermediate/Pre-novice N = 14, Novice N = 20, Junior N = 32, and Senior N = 30). A survey package was completed which included: (1) a demographic questionnaire; (2) …

The Relationship Between Administrators' Perceptions Of Part-Time Faculty And Utilization Of Part-Time Faculty At West Virginia Public And Private Colleges And Universities., Susan J. Weaver

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores the trends in hiring part-time faculty in West Virginia colleges and universities. The restructuring paradigm places the utilization of part-time faculty within the context of changes in the culture of higher education. Questionnaires were sent to 163 administrators of West Virginia public and private 4-year institutions. Complete responses were received from 134 presidents, vice-presidents for academic affairs, provosts, deans, and in select circumstances, division chairs. There were no significant relationships between the administrator's attitude toward part-time faculty and the administrator's position, years in administration, or years teaching. Attitude toward part-time faculty as measured by the Part-time Faculty …

Teacher Training Through Literature: Building Teacher Awareness On The Process Of Shift In Identity On Esl Learners., Luis Ruiz J. Vazquez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this work I defend the notion of the necessity for ESL learners to undergo some sort of identity shift process. This process would be a smooth and gradual evolution by reason of which ESL learners (and, by extension, learners of any foreign language) would develop a second identity that would encompass all the aspects associated to the L2 of their choice, apart from its exclusively linguistic and structural components. I introduce mainly the necessity of building awareness among teachers, especially—but not exclusively—among monolingual foreign language instructors. The strategy that I propose to promote this awareness is the guided reading …

Concentrations Levels Of Fluoride In Bottled Drinking Water And Filtered Water Using Home Filtration Systems., Sissy Ann Daniel Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Minimal and conflicting research exists on the fluoride content of bottled water and the degree of fluoride elimination using home filtration systems. A convenience sample of bottled waters (N=65) and home filtration systems (N=2) available in West Virginia was obtained. Results indicate: 1) fifty-seven of the brands tested contain fluoride below the optimal level; 2) only three brands had documented on the label, yet these total labels were fluoride levels inconsistent labeling; 3) seven have municipal water as their source; and 4) neither filtration system tested significantly reduced fluoride from the water. Conclusions include: 1) most bottled waters do not …

Production Of Urban Space In Kenya: Central-Local Government Power Relations In Mediating Space In Athi River Town., Francis Tama Koti

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Centrally controlled political and economic systems are popular among Third World countries. They however, become problematic particularly in rapidly growing urban areas where different forces compete for scarce resources, hence calling for an understanding of the nature of the relationships between the different forces that produce the urban environment. In Kenya, the basic assumption is that urban space is mediated by the local state. The author uses Athi River town, as a case study, through which survey questionnaires and informal interviews are conducted with key personnel of Mavoko Municipal Council on one hand, and central government ministries operating within the …

A Particular Girl., Nancy Jean Kelley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

My thesis is a collection of short stories focusing on various stages of “a particular girl,” hence the title of the work. Structurally, I aim for a chronological sequence of tales focusing on the life and experience of a female character starting at her youth and ending in early adulthood. I intend for the voice, dialogue, general vocabulary, and content to increase in age, so to say, as the stories unfold. Three of the stories are longer and I feel that each of these represents a rite of passage into some other stage of Lanie Furste’s life. These lengthier fictions …

Skeletal Muscle Injury, Fibrosis And Transforming Growth Factor-Beta., Cheryl A. Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Several animal models were assessed for their ability to produce pathology with a potential for developing fibrosis. Pathology was determined using standard histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. In a model of ethanol-induced myopathy, cytochrome p450 1A1/2 was induced in endothelial cells (i.e. capillaries) but there was insufficient pathology to produce fibrosis. Two models of overload, tenotomy of the gastrocnemius muscle and a tetanus toxin overload model showed morphological changes including: degenerating fibers, central nuclei, variable myofiber sizes, and an expansion of the extracellular matrix, but changes were non-uniformly distributed making this a poor fibrosis model. A tetanus-toxin model of repetitive strain …

A Three-Phase Constitutive Model For Macrobrittle Fatigue Damage Of Composites., Gasser Farouk Abdelal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Failure in materials occurs as a result of damage accumulation. Damage in composite material can be studied applying the continuum approach or the micromechanical approach. The continuum approach treats the composite material as transversely isotropic medium. In this approach, there is no distinction between the fiber and the matrix. The micromechanical approach studies the different damage mechanisms such as, fiber damage, fiber/matrix debonding, and matrix cracking. The research in this dissertation is focused on applying the micromechanical approach. A micromechanical macrobrittle damage (damage under monotonic load) model is developed and compared with available experimental data. Then an anisotropic fatigue damage …

Legibility: How Precedents Established In Print Impact On-Screen And Dynamic Typography, Heidi Specht

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The printed word has been commonplace in society for over 500 years; the written word has been in existence for thousands. The primary intent of the written or printed word has historically been to be read. With that goal, rules and formats have developed over the centuries as aids to legibility. Naturally, these guidelines have been developed for the printed, or static typographic page. As our sophistication with and acceptance of technology grows, however, we increasingly turn to the computer or television screen for written information. Additionally, graphic designers and artists are questioning the role of the printed word as …

Appalachian Special Education Administrators: The Extent Of The Relationship Of Role Conflict And Role Ambiguity To Specific Dimensions Of Stress., Pamela Kay Kohner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the extent of the relationship between the separate constructs of role conflict (RC) and role ambiguity (RA) with four dimensions of stress. A sampling of special education administrators from the Appalachian states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia participated. Demographic characteristics were combined with RC or RA's relationship to four dimensions of stress to determine if a predictive pattern could be identified. A return rate of 80% was attained from the 114 randomly selected participants. Role variables were examined with the Role Questionnaire (Rizzo, House, & Lirtzman, 1970). The Administrative Stress Index (ASI) (Gmelch & Torelli, …

Efficient And Flexible Algorithm For Plant Layout Generation, Li Weng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A facilities layout, also called plant layout, consists of the production areas, production related or support areas and personnel areas within the building. Plant layout design is one of the strategic fields that determine the long run efficiency of operation.;This dissertation proposes an efficient and flexible plant layout algorithm to minimize the material handling cost and deal with change in future. A material flow forecasting tool, a scheduling module related to layout design and an evaluation method of flexible layouts are also proposed by this dissertation. A computer-based system will be developed to integrate all of the functions.;The first chapter …

Causes And Consequences Of The 1909--1910 Steel Strike In The Wheeling District, Louis Charles Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis is a study of the failure of trade unionism in the Wheeling District mills in the early twentieth century, a district whose unions had previously enjoyed great success. The conversion to tin plate in the district was, at first, beneficial to the skilled workers in the union, but with the combination of companies culminating in the creation of the United States Steel Corporation, the union could no longer count on the skill of its members for survival. Ultimately, Wheeling steelworkers were victims of the modernization of the steel industry and a union that would not adopt industrial unionism …

Probability Analysis Of Slope Stability, Jennifer Lynn Peterson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The ability of geotechnical engineers to accurately model slope performance is compromised by a variety of factors. The net result of these considerations is that the exact behavior of slopes cannot be accurately predicted. Hence, geotechnical engineers resort to a factor of safety approach to reduce the risk of slope failure. However, the factor of safety approach cannot quantify the probability of failure, or level of risk, associated with a particular design situation.;A probabilistic approach to studying geotechnical issues offers a systematic way to treat uncertainties, especially slope stability. In terms of probability, uncertainties can be related quantitatively to the …

Functional Diversity And Life History Traits Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi In Disturbed Soils, Kelly Marie Fleming

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Relative effectiveness of ten species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi native to a revegetated coal strip mine site was tested on red clover against a non-mycorrhizal control and against inocula of two commercial isolates. Most (70%) of the isolated species in a native fungal community were as effective at promoting growth as commercial isolates. The net benefit of native colonizing fungi likely was positive, since the majority of the fungi colonizing two-year-old apple and grape in the field also were effective symbionts. The relationship between colonization and sporulation was compared among one Acaulospora , two Glomus, one Gigaspora, and one Scutellospora …

Bending Behavior Of Concrete T-Beams Reinforced With Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (Gfrp) Bars, Rajesh Kumar Kalluri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Concrete slabs are integrally cast with girders or stringers (stiffening system) resulting in floor slabs, bridge decks, footers, retaining structures and others. A portion of slab between a stiffening system acts as flange and bends in unison with the stiffening system, i.e., classic T-beam action. The emphasis of this study is to determine the effective flange width, failure modes, deformability factors, pre- and post-cracking deflections and crack widths at first crack and at ultimate failure of T-beams.;Eight concrete T-beams with two different flange widths and two reinforcement configurations were tested under four point bending to study the factors cited above. …

Milk Allergy/Intolerance In Infancy And Cognitive Functioning, Tina M. Yost

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the relationship between a history of milk A/I in infancy and intelligence in later childhood. Participants included 74 male and female children ages 3 years to 12 years, referred for psychological evaluation. Background information gathered from the primary caregiver included history of milk A/I in infancy. The Wechsler Scales of Intelligence provided information on the participants level of cognitive functioning. Findings were significant for both ANOVA and chi square analysis, with children in Group One (milk A/I) demonstrating lower IQ scores than children in Group Two (no milk A/I). The findings also suggest a relationship between milk …

Characterization Of Particulate Matter And Hydrocarbon Emissions From In-Use Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines, Aleksandar Djordje Bugarski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A continued increase in the use of diesel engines in heavy-duty vehicles, and the uncertainties about the effects of the emissions on human health have focused attention on risk assessments of exposure to the diesel exhaust. The characterization of diesel particulate matter (PM) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions is the primary objective toward assessing potential health hazard. The dependence of DPM nature on engine/vehicle operating conditions, fuel type, different after treatment processes, and measurement process on the size resolved PM emissions was examined by operating the test engines and vehicles under steady-state and transient conditions. The regional deposition of DPM in …

Experimental Investigation Of Ion Temperature Anisotropy Driven Instabilities In A High Beta Plasma, Paul Arthur Keiter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first measurements of an ion temperature anisotropy/beta inverse correlation in a high beta laboratory experiment are presented. The observation of this correlation is similar to such a correlation present in in-situ spacecraft measurements and predicted in theory. Low-frequency fluctuations are also observed. According to measurements presented here, these waves are electromagnetic, transverse, occur at frequencies below the cyclotron frequency and have wavenumbers consistent with predictions for the ion cyclotron anisotropy instability, also referred to as the Alfven Ion-Cyclotron instability. The device is a space simulation chamber that uses a helicon source for its plasma source. Ranges of ion beta …

Potential Lethal And Sublethal Effects Of Gypsy Moth Biological Treatments On Non-Target Lepidopterans In Two Appalachian Forests, Kenneth Edward Rastall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Eighteen 200 ha plots were established in the Monongahela National Forest (MON), Pocahontas County, West Virginia, and in the George Washington National Forest (GW), Augusta County, Virginia. From 1995 through 1998 black light traps, foliage pruning, and canvas bands were used to collect macrolepidopteran adults and larvae. During 1997 and 1998, 6 plots each were aerially treated with nucleopolyhedrosis virus (Gypchek(TM); GC) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk: Bt). The remaining 6 plots were left untreated (Ref). Leaf samples from Bt plots were analyzed for toxin concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay techniques. Results indicated concentrations above 20 ng/cm2 for 90.1% …

Identification Of The Function Of The Carboxy Terminus Of Afap-110 In Regulating Afap-110'S Self-Association, Cell Localization And The Integrity Of Actin Filaments, Yong Qian

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The actin filament associated protein of 110 kDa (AFAP-110) is a SH2/SH3 binding partner for Src. It has two SH2 binding motifs, one SH3 binding motif, one proline rich motif, two PH domains and one serine/threonine substrate region at its amino terminus and has been hypothesized to function as an adapter protein that mediate the effects of different signal proteins upon actin filaments. In this report, we demonstrated: (1) AFAP-110 has the ability to self-associate through carboxy terminal interactions. Analysis of the carboxy terminus of AFAP-110 reveals a leucine zipper motif. Expression of carboxy terminus as a fusion protein (GST-cterm) …

Experimental Characterization Of Heat Transfer From An Electrically Heated Thin Filament, Amy J. Cragg

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Thin filaments for use in glass, polymer, or textile industries are formed by extruding molten material through an orifice to form a continuous filament. These filaments are cooled rapidly from the melting temperature of the material to near room temperature. If this cooling occurs too rapidly or too slowly imperfections can develop in the filaments. These imperfections can decrease the overall quality and strength of the fiber sometimes leading to temporary production shutdowns caused by filament breakage.;Driven by the need to understand and control the cooling of thin filaments, research has been conducted to attempt to experimentally characterize the heat …