Digital Commons Network^™

The Metamorphosis Of Jewish Identities In Nineteenth Century Russia, 1801-1894., James Russell Weiss

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

During the period between the ascension of Tsar Alexander I and Tsar Nicholas II, the Jews of Russia and Russian officials were engaged in a curious partnership. Both parties were concerned with determining the precise definition of Jewishness and how this would change during the course of the nineteenth century. Russian officials, in the main, wanted to refashion the Jews of Russia into Russophiles imbued with Russian mores and education but, on no account, were these "new Jews" to be considered true Russians since God had made them a distinct group from their Slavic neighbors. Being compelled to be a …

Evidence For Fluvial-Controlled Coal Deposition In The Upper Tongue River Member (Fort Union Formation, Paleocene) Powder River Basin, Wyoming., Coen Michael Bauders

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent exploration in the Powder River basin has targeted shallow, coal-bed methane, and basin reserves may be as high as 39 trillion cubic feet. Both coal and sandstone beds serve as target methane reservoirs; however, the thick, persistent nature of the upper Tongue River Member coals makes them easier to correlate and map than any sandstone body. Correlating these coals and considering the differential compaction model for shallow structural development may help shed light on recognizable patterns in clastic-sediment and coal distribution. This study had a threefold purpose: (1) establish a regional stratigraphic framework for the upper Tongue River Member …

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 …

Study Of Human Head Impact: Brain Tissue Constitutive Models., Toru Aida

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Finite element (FE) models of the human head have been used extensively to assess engineering response parameters (pressure, shear strain, etc.) that constitute the basis of various injury criteria including the Head Injury Criterion (HIC). There is a wide range of brain material properties reported in the literature, and linear elastic models are frequently used for the brain tissue which is viscoelastic in nature. The uncertainty around the properties of brain tissue affects the perceived importance of those response parameters under consideration. In this research, the effect on head injury criteria of five reported viscoelastic brain models and their linear …

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 …

An Exploratory Study Of Policy, Procedures, And Programs For Students With Special Needs Assigned To Alternative Schools In North Central West Virginia., Richard Michael Belcastro

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Using an exploratory method this study examined the policies, procedures, and programs for students with special needs assigned to alternative schools in North Central West Virginia. Initially, twelve special education directors in West Virginia's RESA VII were surveyed to determine what approach was being used to serve students with special needs assigned to alternative schools. Four alternative school staffs were selected to be interviewed to determine what were the policies, procedures, and programs in serving students with special needs assigned to alternative schools. Disruptive and at risk students have long presented a dilemma for local school administrators. While trying to …

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 …

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 …

Even Start Family Literacy Program's Effects For Parents: Why Do They Participate?, Deborah A. Farrer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Parents are recognized as the first and most important teachers of their children and their influence on children has been well documented. The Even Start Family Literacy program targets both parents and children fostering a home-school-community partnership of shared authority and responsibility for the educational development of children and adults. The purpose of the present study was to examine parents who participated in the Even Start program in terms of results/effectiveness of the program for them and in turn for their families. The investigation was an attempt to unveil the effects of the Even Start program on the parents in …

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 …

Protecting The Florida Keys: An Internet Gis/Ims Strategy For Benthic Habitat Management., Frank Crawford Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Technological advancements in the Internet particularly in multimedia and other visualization approaches generally pose great potential for Geographic Information Science (GISci). This potential brings with it both conceptual and operational issues that require consideration and collective, long-range planning in order to effectively implement the developing technologies. The relevant issues surrounding this adoption in the area of benthic habitat management are examined. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), and specifically Conch Reef, are used as the case study for this work with particular attention to geographic information systems, multimedia and Internet map servers, management issues, logistical requirements, data access and …

Dimensional Changes Of Polysulfide Impression Materials Over Time., Saeid Zeiaei-Nafchi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of time on dimensional changes of polysulfide impression materials over time. A stainless steel die fabricated according to the ADA, Standards Specification No.19 was used. Measurements were carried out at 15 minutes intervals up to 3 hours and at 6, 12, and 24 hours. Results, the mean, and the percentage dimensional changes were reported. All collected data was based on a repeated measure design. Split plot analysis of variance at P< 0.05 was used to calculate any statistically significant dimensional changes over time among the three impression materials. All three impression materials tested could produce replicas with clinically acceptable dimensional changes up to 24 hours after making the impression. However, after 3 hours, there were significantly greater dimensional changes approaching our standard of 40 µm acceptability. It is therefore recommended that polysulfide impression materials be poured within 3 hours of making the impression.

Knowledge And Utilization Of Ultrasonic/Sonic Scaling Instruments: A Survey Of West Virginia Dental Hygienists., Janet Lucille Bee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent progress in understanding periodontal disease, combined with advances in the design and efficiency of powered scaling instruments suggest the need to reexamine the use of powered scaling instruments. A literature review reveals a lack of information addressing the extent of utilization of these instruments by dental hygienists. However, the literature is replete with information recommending the use of these devices in the treatment of periodontal disease. Information describing the knowledge level dental hygienists posses about ultrasonic/sonics and their current philosophy for using these instruments is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine how dental hygienists use powered …

Penetration, Pressure Drop, And Wickering Characteristics Of Niosh Certified P-100 And P95 Filters Under Heavy Dop Loading., Amit Sharma

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Air is known to contain a variety of airborne matter that is considered as potential health hazards. These particles if ingested/inhaled have long term effects on the health of human beings. The best technique to prevent these harmful particles from reaching the respiratory tract is physical interception. Personal protective equipment such as respiratory filters are used extensively to administer clean air of exceptional quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of commercially available respirator filters subjected to extremely heavy loading conditions. Several commercially available brands of P-100 and P-95 particulate filters were tested. The test conditions …

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 …

A Model Combining Fluorescent Microscopy And Culture Inhibition To Evaluate Bacterial Activity Of Calcium Hydroxide Medicaments., Catherine Erwin Connor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of calcium hydroxide paste and calcium hydroxide containing gutta percha ìPlusî points. Confocal scanning microscopy created a more sensitive model for assessing endodontic antimicrobial activity. The model consisted of anterior teeth with canals prepared to a #60 K Flex file. Target organisms (A) Enterococcus faecalis or a combination of (A) Enterococcus faecalis and (B) Bacteroides fragilis were inoculated into the prepared site. A Zeiss confocal scanning microscope defined living and dead organisms. Teeth were seeded with paste and with the ìPlusî points. Samples were studied by (CFU/ml) and laser …

Interactive Televised Instruction: Factors That Influence Student Evaluations Of Business Courses., Lorraine P. Anderson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined levels of student satisfaction in business courses offered at Marshall University through an interactive television delivery system to determine whether the delivery method influenced student satisfaction. Based on Clow's (1999) contention that remote-site students might bias their answers to specialized survey instruments that assess student attitudes in ITV classes, standardized student course evaluations completed at the end of the semester at traditional classroom based sites, host ITV sites and remote sites were used to measure student satisfaction. Responses to the instrument were analyzed for 3,282 students who enrolled in business courses during the Fall 1997 semester through …

The Effects Of Social Support On Men's Exercise-Related Cardiovascular Reactivity., Daniel Benjamin Hollander

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A predictor of cardiovascular disease is increased heart rate and blood pressure reactivity to physical tasks. One psychological factor that is associated with a reduced cardiac (i.e., heart rate) and vascular (blood pressure) reactivity has been social support. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of social support on exercise-related CV reactivity. It was hypothesized that participants would demonstrate lower CVR in the Partner Present condition than in the Alone condition and that level of intimacy would be related to CVR. Male participants (N = 32) who were in an enduring romantic relationship (i.e., minimum duration …

Integration Of Chicory Components And Chicory Optimization, Avinash Venkatesh Kalgi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Software is not built as monolithic structure. It is built in blocks by more than one person. This software then has to be put together and made to work. It is also important to ensure that the assembled software is performing optimally.;Chicory(TM) is such a Java(TM) software. It is made of numerous components, made by a lot of different people.;This thesis explores the complications associated with integrating these components. This is achieved by an exhaustive description of the architecture of the components and a detailed description of the design decisions. It explains in detail the interactions between various objects inside …

Field Analysis And Design Of A Moving Iron Linear Alternator For Use With Linear Engine, Dulpichet Rerkpreedapong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The previous research at West Virginia University has developed a permanent magnet linear alternator and linear combustion engine for testing and studying the performance. In this prototype, magnets are part of the moving part.;This research will present a new type of linear alternator with permanent magnets installed on stationary called Moving Iron Linear Alternator (MILA). MILA offers several advantages over other types such as rugged structure, and low cost production. First, MILA will be designed for use with the existing linear engine. An optimization methodology will be applied to obtain optimal design parameters. Next, a MILA model will be created …

Response Time To Batted Balls, Tracie L. Stechly Seivertson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Traditional wooden bats are being replaced by metal bats. These metal bats can increase the exit ball speed. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the exit ball speed off of a bat on a recreational baseball player's ability to react to the ball.;Ten male subjects, ages 18 to 30, participated in this study. A pitching machine projected balls toward each participant. Each subject was placed behind a safety net and asked to react to the ball as if he was going to field the ball. A radar gun, video cameras, and video editing equipment were used to …

Role Of Iron In The Accumulation Of Glomalin, An Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Glycoprotein, Kristine Ann Nichols

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Effects of iron on production of glomalin, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal glycoprotein, were examined. In a preliminary experiment comparing available (FeEDDHA) and unavailable iron (hematite), low amounts of glomalin were produced with the former while the latter total inhibited the symbiosis. Part of the effect of hematite was reduced spore germination. A glycoprotein cross-reacting with a monoclonal antibody against glomalin was produced in nonmycorrhizal pots. This molecule is similar to glomalin, but has some unique characteristics. Concentration increases when C3 and C4 grasses are stressed from low nutrients and/or light but levels are at least 10-fold less than glomalin. Two …

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 …

Back To Nature To Beat The Blues, Shannon Leigh Kirby Lawson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a reduction in depressive symptoms in nursing home residents by using a pet therapy intervention to increase levels of social support and social interaction within the nursing home facility.;The target population in this study consisted of two nursing home facilities in West Virginia. Approximately 21 subjects participated in the study. An intervention using pet therapy was conducted in the intervention facility in which certified therapy animals "visited" the residents once a week for four weeks. The control group received a delayed intervention of gospel singing once a week for four weeks after …

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

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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

Explanatory Models Of Chronic Pain, Elizabeth Neely Thrush

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chronic pain is described as pain that persists for six months or longer. This type of pain may range from dull to excruciating and may be constant or sporadic. The purpose of this study was to explore the explanatory models of individuals living in chronic pain. The study sample included twelve adults, eleven women and one man, who have been diagnosed with the chronic pain condition Fibromyalgia. Using Arthur Kleinman's explanatory models as a framework, participants were personally interviewed regarding the physical, personal, and social causes and consequences of chronic pain. In order to elicit personal explanatory models, each participant …

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

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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

Development Of Decision Support System For Reliability, Mitesh Bhupendra Parekh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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

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

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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