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Acceptance Evaluation Model For A New Transit Technology--A Case Study Of Aerial Cable Transit., Murthy Veer Bondada

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In transit technology evaluation models, presently being used, no provisions have been made for perceptions. An Acceptance Evaluation Model for a New Transit Technology, which objectively considers all technologies, has been developed. The case study applies the eight-step methodological model to evaluate the acceptance of aerial cable technology (aerial cable tramways and gondolas) compared to bus, van, self-propelled and cable-propelled people movers, and Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) for urban applications. Two urban scenarios were considered for application of Aerial Cable Technology (ACT)--as a Downtown Connector to parking facilities and in a Regional Center interconnecting developments. The acceptance of the ACT …

Safe Hand-Button Distance For Mechanical Power Presses., Roger Christian Jensen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many mechanical power presses are equipped for actuation with dual hand buttons. For these operations, most countries have safety regulations requiring the button location be at least a minimum distance from the hazardous area where the dies meet. This distance is called the "safe distance" (D{dollar}\\sb{lcub}\\rm s{rcub}{dollar}) because its purpose is to protect the operator in case of a sudden, instinctive reach into the die area after initiating the downstroke. According to most of these regulations, D{dollar}\\sb{lcub}\\rm s{rcub}{dollar} is determined (in meters) from the inequality D{dollar}\\sb{lcub}\\rm s{rcub}{dollar} {dollar}>{dollar} S T{dollar}\\sb{lcub}\\rm stop{rcub}{dollar} where S is an assumed hand speed of …

Experimental Analysis Of Laterally-Confined Coal Block Under Impact Indentation., Seungjae Jung

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A fundamental study of impact indentation is presented for the dynamic penetration of a conical bit into coal block. Blocks of coal with approximate dimensions of 10 x 10 x 6 inches were laterally confined to predetermined equivalent in-situ stresses and then subjected to an impact indentation by dropping a coal cutting bit with a known weight from a known height. Tests were done with five bits of different geometry. The effect of material anisotropy on fracture formation was studied by testing coal specimens in face/butt cleat directions. General relationships between applied energy, bit geometry and damage zones on crater …

On The Threshold Of The Ever-Returning Past: Djuna Barnes' "Nightwood" As A Labyrinth Of The Liminal Grotesque., Virginia Ellen Leonard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nightwood is a novel of life lived in the interstices of time and space by marginal characters, epitomized by the night people of Vienna, Paris, and Berlin. These epicenters of the cultural revolutions of the early twentieth century drew expatriates from all over the world. This novel captures the essence of marginality in images of the grotesque, the most appropriate symbol of the liminal life and the most useful art form to consider when investigating the complex style of a simple tale. In consequence, I use an interdisciplinary approach, combining art history of the grotesque, analysis of major motif patterns …

Curricula Of Selected Korean Ethnic Schools In The United States: A Curriculum Assessment Study., Minza Kim Boo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Demographic, historical, and educational data on Korean ethnic education programs in the United States posed some possible curricular problems concerning such questions as: "How well did Korean ethnic schools define the curricular purposes, organize the curricular content, select the curricular methodology, and practice the evaluation of curricular outcomes?" Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of Korean ethnic schools in terms of whether the Korean ethnic school curricula used essential curricular principles and guidelines; and whether the Korean ethnic education programs were implemented to respond to multi-dimensional ethnic needs of Korean immigrants. The procedures …

Development Of Celeration-Based Instructional Software That Teaches Sequelic Intraverbal Behavior., John Winston Eshleman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The present paper describes a program of research to develop, test and refine a prototype of computer-based instructional (CBI) software that teaches a sequelic intraverbal repertoire efficiently and effectively. Significant educational implications arise from any verbal behavior research that both sheds light on how an intraverbal repertoire can be changed, and which simultaneously leads to a teaching technology that rapidly brings about high fluency. The present research centers around an engineering effort to do just that, beginning with a computer-based analogue of precision teaching SAFMEDS, a method of teaching using flashcards in precisely timed and recorded sessions. Programmed in BASIC, …

Kinetics, Structural Effects, Modeling And Unification Of Char Gasification Reactions., K Raghunathan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Kinetics of steam gasification of North Dakota lignite were studied in a unique high-temperature TGA in the temperature range 800-1200{dollar}\\sp\\circ{dollar}C at steam partial pressures 0.25 to 0.75 atm. A significant feature of this work is that chars were prepared "in-situ"; coal was devolatilized in steam and gasification of the char thus produced was allowed to proceed continuously without interruption. Evolution of microstructural properties and surface area with char conversion are studied at different temperatures using CO{dollar}\\sb2{dollar} adsorption techniques. Evolution of reactive surface area is measured via oxygen chemisorption. A microscopic model is developed, assuming the void phase to be composed …

Effects Of Task And Environment-Related Variables On Individuals' Lifting Capabilities While Wearing Protective Clothing., Mohamed Zaki Ramadan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was conducted to evaluate the lifting capabilities of individuals while wearing protective clothing in a hot environment and to investigate the behavior of the physiological stresses induced by the lifting process associated with those variables. In order to achieve the objectives of this research, two separate studies were conducted. The first part was an acclimatization and training program followed by a psychophysical experiment. Five male subjects, 28 to 31 years of age, participated in this study. They were heat acclimatized and trained for ten days prior to participation in the main experiment. The independent variables studied in the …

Characterization Of Coal Breakage By Continuous Miners., Nagendra Peesary Reddy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study in this dissertation attempts to alleviate the problem of inefficient cutting and respirable dust production by continuous miners. It involves identification of the important parameters that affect coal fragmentation, design of an Automated Rotary Coal Cutting Simulator (ARCCS) and study of the effects of these parameters on coal fragmentation. Two sets of experiments were conducted, first, multiple bit experiments to establish the experimental procedures and study the microscopic fracture surface and second, single bit experiments to investigate the significance of the important parameters based on a statistical design called the two way factorial design. From the multiple bit …

Structural And Multivariate Time-Series Models: Comparative Application In Commodity Markets., Masoud Moallem

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

My dissertation concentrates on comparing the forecasting performance of three types of multivariate models: a structural model, a transfer function model in time domain, and two vector autoregressive models (VAR). These models are specified and estimated to reflect the market behavior of important variables in the U.S. copper market. The forecasting performance of these models is compared in the context of a commodity modeling exercise. The purpose is two fold, to assess the relative forecasting performance of the models, and to determine the role and the necessity of a priori information in forecasting economic time series. Only the standard commodity …

An Economic And Technical Feasibility Of Pulverized Coal-Fired Slab Preheaters., Sheikh Burhanuddin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pulverized coal instead of natural gas as a fuel for slab preheating furnaces is evaluated for economic and technical feasibility. Pulverized coal firing is more complex than natural gas firing and requires higher equipment and operating costs including the cost of flue gas cleaning. However, coal is cheaper than natural gas on a unit heat energy cost basis. Savings in fuel energy cost easily compensate for higher equipment and operating costs of pulverized coal fired slab preheating systems. The effect of coal burning environment on the chemistry of slabs is also included in the evaluation. The experimental results from the …

Blast Round Design And Casting In Surface Coal Mining., Jonq-Keh Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Casting design for bench blasting in surface coal mines is a new focus and a fairly recent success. This study aims at the development of a model to predict the throw of overburden material based on geological conditions of a bench and charges in blast holes. The model, derived on the basis of blasting theories and dynamics of the multiple-particle system, explores the mechanisms of casting rocks into pits. Implementing the model with a computer program is a part of the study. The execution of the computer program will result in quantitative data for evaluation of a blast round design. …

Demographic Characteristics And Personality Types Of Resident Assistants As Predictor Variables Of Job Satisfaction, Burnout, Or Supervisory Rating: A Descriptive Study., Linda Jean Gardner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A critical issue in higher education today is that of student retention. Although attention has been given to the general quality of residence hall living as a factor in student satisfaction, little effort has been given to the study of resident assistants, a key component in residence hall living. The purpose of this study was to examine this central population of service providers to incoming students at West Virginia University. This study collected and presented basic descriptive data on 77 resident assistants employed at West Virginia University including: (1) demographics; (2) psychological type (Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator); (3) level of burnout …

A Ground Control Study Of The Emaswati Coal Mine, Pius Sosthenes Mokgokong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The intricate relationship that exists between the regional and local geology with ground instability in coal mines has been identified as an important factor that has to be well understood and addressed in any coal mining operation.

In this thesis the regional geology of the Swaziland coalfield has been described. A detailed account of the mine geology is also presented with special emphasis being given to the geological structures or disturbances that directly affect ground control.

Both the traditional and a two-dimensional finite element method of investigation have been carried out in order to determine the causes and mechanisms of …

Safety Management Philosophies Of Seven Major Contributors To Safety Management., Mark Allen Friend

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The problem involved in this study was to report the philosophies of selected major contributors to the field of safety management; examine the major components, commonalities, and differences; and note the major influences on contributors' philosophies. Individuals selected to participate in this study were nationally known for safety management contributions by virtue of their authorship of texts or professional articles, their presentations at safety conferences, and their leadership in the field. The interview technique, utilizing the semi-structured interview was the method chosen to identify the contributors' philosophies and the influences that have affected them. A panel was chosen and interrogated …

Coal Transportation: A Comparative Spatial Analysis Between Unit Train And Slurry Pipeline (West Virginia)., Masood Soltanmohammadi-Sarab

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

After the 1973 Arab oil embargo and a drastic price rise in crude oil, the demand for coal and, subsequently, the price of coal rose to a new high, thus encouraging further production of coal. The increase in the production occurred in most of the coal fields of our nation except those in some specific areas, such as West Virginia. Preliminary studies indicate that the high transportation cost of coal contributes to this slacking coal production pattern. Three related objectives are studied in this dissertation: (a) Finding the least cost mode of coal transportation; (b) Determining the new pattern of …

An Econometric Investigation Of Interfactor And Interfuel Substitution Possibilities In The Korean Industrial And Residential Sectors: A Translog Function Approach., Bong Chin Kim

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this dissertation is two fold: (1) to investigate the long-run sensitivities of energy demand to price changes, and the degree of interfactor and interfuel substitution possibilities in the Korean industrial and residential sectors; and (2) to examine in what way and to what extent the energy aspects conflict with overall development objectives in Korea. Unlike other energy demand studies, the industrial sector is further disaggregated into nine manufacturing and three non-manufacturing subsectors. For the model specification, a translog cost share function is adopted. The interfactor substitution model includes capital, labour and energy inputs. Under the weak separability …

Development Of Warrants For Fixed Distance Versus Constant Warning Time Devices At Rail-Highway Grade Crossings., John Argiriou Halkias

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The overall goal of this study was to develop warrants or guidelines for the installation of active warning devices without speed selection (fixed-distance systems) and active warning devices with speed selection (constant warning time systems) at railroad highway grade crossings. This objective was achieved by the use of the FRA grade crossing inventory and accident data bases to develop accident rates, effectiveness values, statistical models to determine which variables are significantly related to accidents, and a benefit cost analysis, all of which were used in warrant development. Overall results of this study tended to confirm the hypothesis that constant warning …

A Theoretical And Experimental Investigation Of Coke Gasification In A Batch Reactor, Esmail R. Monazam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A computer model has been developed to simulate the char-gasification process occurring in the gasification component of a crossflow coal gasifier. This process corresponds to the batch gasification process in a combustion pot. Temperature and concentration profiles along the gasifier were obtained by solving the material and energy balances. In order to obtain the data necessary for evaluating and improving the computer model, an experimental system was developed to obtain data for the char-gasification process in the combustion pot. The results show that the gasification rate strongly depends on the air flow rate and that the reactivity of the char …

An Integrated Production And Cost Management System For Underground Coal Mines., Robert Larry Grayson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The current coal market demands better management of resources and minimum-cost performance from underground mines. It is a matter of survival in which only well-managed operations will capture a share of the market. This situation forces mine managers to apply management science techniques in scheduling and controlling operations. Tools for operations research are generally lacking at mine sites. Techniques which are used have typically been applied in isolation and in mine design. An integrated production and cost management system, which spans planning, scheduling, and monitoring activities, is demanded. Techniques employed must be responsive to changing environmental and economic conditions. An …

Low Temperature Dissolution Of Coal., Dianne Dorland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The dissolution effectiveness of a solvent solution of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide and elemental sulfur was studied. The effects of varying amounts of added elemental sulfur (from 0.5% to 50% of the weight of the coal plus sulfur) over a temperature range of 100(DEGREES)C to 250(DEGREES)C and reaction times from 10 minutes to 3 hours were examined. The coals used in the study were a Bakerstown bituminous, a Wyodak subbituminous, a North Dakota lignite, and a Savage lignite. The reaction of the dissolution products with carbon monoxide and water in a basic system with iron pentacarbonyl as catalyst was also …

Effect Of Lumbar Posture On Lifting (Back, Trunk Muscles, Emg)., Dennis Louis Hart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this research was to determine if there were any differences in (1) lumbar spine flexion moments or (2) activity of the lumbar erector spinae or external oblique muscles while varying (1) lumbar postures and (2) hand heights used to lift a load. A completely randomized design with repeated measures was used. 20 male workers (32.9 (+OR-) 12.4 years, 178.3 (+OR-) 6.8 cm, 81 (+OR-) 14.7 kg) employed in positions requiring manual lifting assumed specific lumbar spine postures (subject preferred, kyphotic, straight or lordotic), lifted a 157 N crate to three different hand heights (25, 50, 76 cm), …

Expected Use Of Management Principles For Safety Function Management., Anthony Thomas Veltri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study determined the extensiveness that management principles should be used during management of the Safety Function. This study makes available to enterprise managers research based data which can be useful in managing operations that counteract Risk, Danger, and Loss to enterprise resources. The investigator constructed and grouped 40 management principles according to management practices, (i.e., planning, organizing, leading, controlling, evaluating) based upon a review of professional literature pertaining to management. Eight Management Textbook Author jurors assisted in the refinement of these statements. The result was majority consensus acceptance of 42 management principles. The refined list of management principles was …

Safety Of Front-End Loaders Evaluated By Workload And Performance (Simulator, Subjective Reporting, Physiological, Reaction Time, Vigilance)., Mehran Lotfi Najafabadi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The safety of front-end loaders should be given the highest priority in research since they have been involved in 27% of fatal accidents and 22.4% of non-fatal accidents in surface mining, second only to trucks. Operator safety was considered to depend on the workload, environmental stressors and the subsequent deterioration in performance. Operator workload intensity was established by analyzing tasks and stressors in each segment of the cycle. Deterioration in performance was measured by increases in reaction time and by frequency of errors. A physical simulator was designed and constructed to generate operational task demands in a controlled laboratory environment. …

Safety Evaluation Of Coal Mine Distribution Power Systems., Elmer Westell Collins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

For the years 1975, 1978 and 1979, 1266 electrical accidents in the coal mining industry have been identified from accident reports on file at MSHA Health and Safety Analysis Center, Denver, Colorado. The number of reported electrical accidents each year continues to remain high when compared to other industries. This dissertation's objective is to develop and apply an analytical technique to the coal mine power system which could identify methods to reduce the number of electrical accidents. A safety evaluation technique is developed by integrating preliminary hazard analysis, operating hazard analysis, failure mode, effect and criticality analysis, event tree analysis …

A Railroad Terminal Evaluation Methodology (Classification, Yard), John David Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study a methodology using a computer simulation model for the design or redesign of rail classification yards was formulated, refined, tested and analyzed. The procedure concentrated upon developing both process and measures for evaluating the performance and efficiency of alternative yard configurations. The methodology addresses large scale yard systems analysis and properly assesses operating policy decisions. The evaluation is divided into three hierarchical levels of analysis that are integrated with traditional yard layout design. The approach involves using a computer model to evaluate multiple alternatives under the same overall traffic loads. In the first two levels, individual yards …

The 1954 Geneva Conference: Eisenhower's Indochina Policy., Francis Noland Dawson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Indochina phase of the Geneva Conference of 1954 played a critical role in the ending of the First Indochina War and prepared the way for the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam conflict. Little is understood of the conference because of a paucity of information available. Recently, this deficiency has been corrected somewhat as various departments and agencies have begun to declassify documents. An analysis of these new materials reveals that the United States did not have a well-defined policy in mid-1954 and that Eisenhower responded in an ad hoc fashion to conditions on the battlefield in …

A Study On The Selection Of Overburden Handling System And Environmental Protection In Surface Coal Mining, Jui-Lin Chang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this study is to develop a method to aid in the selection of an overburdern handling system in surface coal mining. The selection procedure consists of three major parts. The first part is aimed at rating the equipment's potential to perform the environmental protection related activities and then integrating this rating into the system selection process. The second part is an engineering analysis of the design of pit layouts and the operation of alternative overburden handling systems. The third part consists of a cost and sensitivity analysis of alternative systems on different mining situations. Specifically, the work …

Dissolution Kinetics Of Hydrocortisone Into Polymer Solutions (Steroids)., Nahla Nassar Khoury

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A major concern of investigators during the last decade has been the evaluation of the relative therapeutic effectiveness of competitive drug products. The problem of bioavailability is further exaggerated for steroidal drugs formulated as suspensions because of low intrinsic solubility, and the addition of stabilizing ingredients, such as polymers, to the formulations. An in vitro evaluation of the dissolution rate of hydrocortisone alcohol and acetate from constant surface area tablets into dilute polymer solutions was undertaken since dissolution rate is a relevant characteristic concerning therapeutic availability for sparingly soluble drugs. Polymers of varying chemical type and in dilute concentrations, similar …

Development Of Design Criteria For Mechanical Roof Bolting In Underground Coal Mines, David Hsin-Ying Tang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In spite of the widespread usage of mechanical roof bolts as a support system in the underground coal mines, the mechanisms by which roof bolts reinforce the mine roof are still not fully understood. The general practices of roof bolting system are largely based on some empirical rules, which tend to either underdesign or overdesign. In order to design the roof bolting system safely and economically, it is essential to understand the flexural behavior of the immediate roof. Based on the strata sequence, the strata in the immediate roof are divided into three types. The flexural behavior of the three …