Digital Commons Network^™

Prediction And Amelioration Of Acid Mine Drainage., Walter Mark Hart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Two aspects of acid mine drainage (AMD) production were studied on a laboratory scale: the role of leaching, and the effectiveness of phosphate amelioration. The leaching study was based on an assumption of an earlier oxidation/leaching field model: that oxidation is independent of leaching. A SAS program was written which can simultaneously fit all three parameters of this field model. The model was generalized to include the effect of initial sulfate sulfur. A deterministic oxidation/leaching model was developed and applied to two continuous, unsaturated flow trickle bed reactors. First-order leaching rate constants were calculated to be 0.0888 days{dollar}\\sp{lcub}-1{rcub}{dollar} for refuse …

Prediction Of Wear In A Fluidized Bed., William Allen Rogers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A procedure to model the wear of surfaces exposed to a fluidized bed is formulated. A stochastic methodology adapting the kinetic theory of gases to granular flows is used to develop an impact wear model. This uses a single-particle wear model to account for impact wear from all possible particle collisions. An adaptation of a single-particle abrasion model to describe the effects of many abrading particles is used to account for abrasive wear. Parameters describing granular flow within the fluidized bed, necessary for evaluation of the wear expressions, are determined by numerical solution of the fluidized bed hydrodynamic equations. Additional …

Physical Facility Factors For Technological Problem-Solving Activities In Secondary Technology Education Programs., Michael Joseph Doyle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The problem of this study was to identify, describe, and verify physical facility factors for technological problem-solving activities in secondary school Technology Education programs. Seventy-four factors were identified. A review of the professional literature identified initial factors. Additional factors were identified from viewing videotape provided by teachers in 25 selected laboratories and through input from 13 selected inventors, entrepreneurs and problem-solving authorities. Twenty-four experts ranked each factor's potential in all of the following categories: General Physical Facility Factor, Defining, Generating, and Implementing. Aggregate median ranks were derived to indicate the relative potential of each factor. The major findings were: (1) …

An Artificial Associative Neural Net For Underground Mine Landmark Recognition., Peijian Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A new bi-directional associative memory (BAM), a type of artificial neural net, is proposed, defined, demonstrated and tested as the core classifier in a landmark recognition system for underground mine navigation. The simulation of this new BAM shows improved ability in recognizing images of objects as compared with the BAM proposed by Kosko. This dissertation documents: (1) A new bi-directional associative memory model which shows an obvious improvement over the Kosko BAM in applications of pattern recognition; (2) A new distinctive system structure using the proposed BAMs for multiple feature space pattern recognition applications; (3) The analysis of simulation results …

Regulation Of Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Function., Linda Gayle Billips

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Stromal cells are key components of the hemopoietic microenvironment of the bone marrow and are now known to function as primary regulators of hemopoietic cell production. This study addresses the role of stromal cells in B lymphocyte production. Initial experiments have established that B lymphocyte development is dependent on the presence of a heterogeneous mixture of stromal cells. In addition, recent studies in this and other laboratories have shown that exposure of stromal cells to cytokines alters their production of hemopoietic growth factors and, as a result, their hemopoietic regulatory function. The experiments presented here specifically demonstrate cytokine-induced changes in …

Rural Female College Graduates: Barriers And Catalysts To A College Education., Sue Diane Day-Perroots

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many of the known cultural, familial, historical and geographical deterrents to education exist within the rural female population from six counties in southern West Virginia. Through feminist survey research, this qualitative study is an analysis of the common themes that arise in the lives of rural women who have earned a college degree, using women's narratives to provide insights into existing research. Based on a 42 percent return on a 14 page survey, 110 rural college educated women responded to 41 open-ended and forced-choice questions about parental demographics, childhood and public school experiences, hometown descriptors and college attendance. The women …

"Losers At The Game?" Male Protagonists In Four Novels Of Henry James., Sandra Rosalynne Woods

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the male American protagonists from four of Henry James's major novels, Roderick Hudson, The American, The Bostonians, and The Ambassadors. Considerations of the generic Jamesian hero usually include James's heroines, and numerous works have concentrated on James's female protagonists, but few comparable attempts have been made to focus exclusively on James's male protagonists. Both the dynamic character of James's literary career and the extraordinary range of James's female characters suggest that such a study may be warranted. The scale of modes delineated by Northrop Frye in Anatomy of Criticism provides an archetypal base for this study. Because …

Thermomechanical Properties Of Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (Frp) Bars., Wei-Pin Wu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bars have been recognized as a possible substitution for steel rods because of their noncorrosive properties. However, there is a need to establish sufficient data bank and to develop reliable analytical tools for the analysis of such FRP bars before they could confidently be used and their performance could be predicted and assured in advance. This research is concern with such an effort towards experimental as well theoretical characterization of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) bars under static loads. An integrated micro-macro three-dimensional finite element (EHSM) model and generalized plain-strain elasticity solution (ES) are employed to perform …

A Method For Predicting Rock Fragmentation And Blast Casting., Shih Wen Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fragmentation and burden velocity are the major concerns of any blasting operation. A good estimation of fragment size distribution before blasting is very useful and helpful for selecting the proper equipment for loading, hauling, and crushing rocks. The burden velocity can be used to predict the center of mass movement. There are three basic variables that determine the blasting effects. They are rock properties, explosive properties, and drilling patterns. These together include more than twenty factors that can affect the blasting results. The development of a blasting model which considers most of these factors is the main task of this …

Behavior Of Bolt And Adhesive Connections In Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic Members, James R. Doyle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Structural fasteners must be engineered to resist a large variety of loading conditions. Isotropic materials with high shear strength can be designed to withstand multidirectional loading. However, since fiber reinforced plastic materials are direction dependent, a more in-depth understanding of the effects of loading direction and fiber orientation is needed. To achieve a better understanding of load transfer and failure mechanisms in FRP fasteners, an experimental program has been devised which includes static testing by varying overlap areas and connector strengths. From the results of these tests, more accurate joint designs should be possible.

Connectors such as arc welding and …

A Comparison Of Seat Belt Use Attitudes And Behaviors Of Regular And Exceptional Students And Their Parents., Sandra Kay Vanin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Each year nearly one million individuals suffer a head trauma. Many will sustain permanent injuries resulting in behavior and learning problems. In addition, both the individual and the family will accrue thousands of dollars in hospital and rehabilitation costs. It has been estimated that 4,500 lives are saved and 119,000 serious injuries are prevented each year by using a seat belt. Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have mandatory seat belt laws. West Virginia, with the third highest non-seat belt use, has failed in three legislative sessions to pass such legislation. Over 200 Monongalia County fourth, fifth and sixth …

Social Skills Interventions With Developmentally Disordered Children: Comparison Of Peer-Mediated And Adult-Mediated Approaches., Sharon Estill Older

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The two main types of social skills interventions with developmentally disordered children, adult-mediated and peer-mediated, were compared to determine which was more effective in producing generalization and social validity. Additionally, the effect of involvement in treatment on peer-helper social status was investigated. The current investigation demonstrated increases over baseline in the training setting for all treatment conditions, including adult-mediated, peer-mediated, combined adult- and peer-mediated, and generalization programming conditions. Subject initiations were found to be highest during the adult-mediated intervention, however no differences between treatment conditions were found for total subject social behavior. Despite attempts to program generalization through multiple peers, …

Rapid Pyrolysis Of Eastern And Western Oil Shales In An Entrained Reactor., Guo-Qing Zhang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An entrained reactor system (LFER) has been used to study the rapid pyrolysis kinetics for both eastern (New Albany) and western (Colorado) oil shales. Under the condition of high heating rate, a fundamental understanding of the processes influencing oil production and product quality/composition was obtained. Flow visualization and temperature characterization in the LFER were conducted to provide a critical laminar flow and isothermal reaction zone. Calibration curves depicting the flow regimes confirmed that the existing inlet and reactor design can be operated without particle dispersion caused by turbulence. A thermocouple tree was successfully utilized to identify the conditions necessary to …

Development Of A Mechanistic Model For Prediction Of Subsidence Over Longwall Mines., Richard Douglas Begley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Several different longwall subsidence prediction techniques were analyzed in this study in order to select the most appropriate method for modification and expansion to various field conditions and general applications. These techniques include those developed by the United States Bureau of Mines(USBM) and the National Coal Board(NCB), in addition to the following influence functions: (1) Bals, (2) Knothe's, and (3) zone area. The method that was selected as most appropriate for modification was initially developed from a recent field study conducted in Northern West Virginia over a three year period at 3 different mine sites. The model was refined and …

Student Demographic And Performance Variables Related To Performance On The Pre-Professional Skills Mathematics Test., Sally Hardwick Digman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The consequences of failure on the PPST Mathematics Test can be devastating for individuals in states requiring a passing score for teacher certification. This concern prompted the researcher to investigate the variables related to performance on the PPST Mathematics Test. The dependent measures were PPST Mathematics Test Raw Scores and Pass/Fail Scores. The demographic variables included Age, Sex, State, High School Mathematics Coursework, College Rank, and Teaching Area. The performance variables included High School GPA, ACT Mathematics Test, Nelson-Denny Reading scores, WVU Mathematics Department Computation and Word Problem scores, and Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal scores. Subjects were 164 teacher education …

The Effect Of Board Grade On Yellow Poplar Millwork Cutting Yield., James C. Flowers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The custom millwork industry currently purchases about 89 percent of its hardwood lumber from the top NHLA grades, FAS and FAS1F (1F&Btr). For many millwork producers, the abundance of yellow-poplar in the Appalachian region, its cost and machining properties make it an attractive wood species. The price discrepancies between 1F&Btr yellow-poplar and lower grades are not necessarily justified by observed variation in cutting yield. To determine the effect of NHLA board grade on millwork cutting yields, a database was assembled, detailing information on the type, size and location of defects on the faces of 479 re-graded 4/4 kiln-dried yellow-poplar boards. …

An Examination Of The Relationship Of Violations Of Students' Expectancies Of Teachers' Nonverbal Immediacy And Perceived Teachers' Nonverbal Immediacy Behaviors On Learning., Mark Alan Seiffert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This investigation examined a model of Burgoon's Violation of Expectancy theory (Burgoon, 1978; Burgoon & Hale, 1987) as applied to the instructional context. Students' perceptions of teacher nonverbal immediacy were used in conjunction with the Expectancy Violation Model to predict amount of student learning. At the beginning of a term, students were asked to complete questionnaires assessing the expected level of nonverbal immediacy for one of their instructors. One week later, and at midterm, students were asked to complete questionnaires assessing the level of nonverbal immediacy evidenced by their instructors and the students' perceptions of the amount of learning that …

Parent Compliance To Treatment For Pediatric Cancer: Development And Validation Of Two Measurement Strategies., Carita Renee Shawchuck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Investigations of treatment compliance among pediatric cancer patients have indicated that noncompliance to treatment is a significant problem in this population. Some researchers have suggested that compliance to treatment may be significantly influenced by the complexity of the treatment regimen. The purpose of this investigation was to: (a) develop and assess the efficacy of a prospective parent self-monitoring measure to assess compliance to the entire treatment regimen, (b) develop two physician-completed measures to assess the complexity of childhood cancer treatment regimens, and (c) investigate the relationship between current and overall medical regimen complexity and compliance to treatment among a sample …

Electron Energy Loss Study Of Iron Epitaxially Grown On Copper(100), Copper(111) And Copper(110)., Nipon Thangprasert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The growth of iron up to several monolayers in thickness on Cu(100), Cu(111) and Cu(110) are studied using the combined techniques of AES and EELS. The graphs of the Auger peak-to peak-height of iron and copper as a function of iron thickness do not clearly show the linear segment which is the indication of the layer growth. The results from EELS indicate that the fcc iron formed first and then some bcc iron is formed on the top of this fcc iron. The critical thicknesses for the indication of bcc iron are 13 ML for Cu(100), 3 ML for Cu(111) …

Rewriting The Self, Writing The Other: An Investigation Of Recent American Epistolary Novels., Anne Lieberman Bower

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A number of recent critical works apply twentieth century literary theories to eighteenth- and nineteenth-century epistolary novels. However, in spite of the existence of a number of intriguing twentieth-century letter novels, there have been no in-depth studies of modern uses of this form, and only a limited number of articles that analyze the epistolarity of modern and contemporary novel fictions. What makes this condition surprising is that many of the form's features are so sympathetic to aesthetic and philosophic issues of our day. Using deconstructive, reader-response and feminist perspectives, this dissertation investigates the ways the letter novel is used by …

Seismic Evaluation Of The Mississippian Greenbrier Limestone And Devonian Ohio Shale In The Big Ugly Area, Southwestern West Virginia., Li Zheng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Mississippian Greenbrier Limestone and Devonian Ohio Shale were studied in the Big Ugly area of southwestern West Virginia by reprocessing and interpreting existing seismic and geological data. Careful design of routine processing parameters and the use of a modified tau-p filter significantly enhanced the quality of seismic data from the area. The presence of detached structures above three decollement zones and cross-strike discontinuities (CSD's) associated with the Alleghanian deformation west of Mann Mountain anticline is suggested. A basement growth structure, the Griffithsville basement high, localized detached structures along its southeast flank. High producing trends in the Devonian Ohio Shale …

Development Of A Resistivity Method To Detect Underground Mined Openings., Fazlollah Ziaie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study, a new resistivity method has been developed and tested in three phases; simulated model, similitude model, and field survey. This new resistivity method is a combination of the Bristow arrangement and line electrode method. Three line electrodes are chosen so that the sinkhole electrode is emplaced at far distance from the other two electrodes. Any of the two electrodes and the sinkhole electrode is activated and several resistivity profiles perpendicular to the line electrode are prepared for different electrodes activation. Subsurface cavities cause resistivity anomaly. These anomalies are interpreted and are used to estimate the depths and …

Relationships Between Supervisory Safety Contributions And Productivity Accomplishment Among Limestone Quarries., J Owen Weber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study determined the relationship between how employees perceived their supervisors relative to their safety contributions and productivity as measured in limestone tons per man hour. This study was undertaken for the purposes of providing to enterprise safety function manager's research based data which would be useful in ascertaining the safety contributions of their front line supervisors as well as discovering those items beneficial to focused supervisory training. The investigator constructed a survey instrument consisting of a Likert scale evaluation of fifty-seven supervisory safety duties and responsibilities. These statements were the result of a jury of experts revalidation of the …

The Historical Development Of Associate Degree Nursing Education In West Virginia., Mary Gwinn Meighen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine the historical development of associate degree nursing education in West Virginia and to analyze this development for particular themes or concepts. The descriptive method of research was used in this study. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and examination of records and documents. After the data were collected, the data were analyzed and the findings were reported. At present, there are nine associate degree nursing programs in West Virginia accepting approximately 600 students per year. Geographically these programs are distributed throughout the state. Seven of the eleven schools received accreditation by the …

Modeling The Supply Response Of Energy Resources: The Case Of Non-Associated Natural Gas In West Virginia., Omowunmi Odemyi Iledare

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study, we have attempted to conduct an economic and policy analysis of the West Virginia natural gas producing industry. The research concentrated on industry activities, objectives and outcomes in the post-NGPA era. The primary goal was to determine the role of economic and market conditions on natural gas supply. First, the structure, conduct and performance of the West Virginia gas producing industry were examined with respect to key features of market structure--concentration, vertical and horizontal integration and barriers to entry. Second, a West Virginia gas supply (WVGAS) model based on the assumption of a price-taker industry was constructed. …

Improved Energy Recovery From Municipal Solid Wastes In Sanitary Landfills By Two-Phase Digestion Of Biomass., Chukwu Onu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gas recovery from sanitary landfills is increasingly being viewed as a valuable resource for its potential as a source of fuel gas. The operation and performance of a two-phase laboratory-scale anaerobic digestion system for improved gas production was studied for a period of two years. The system consisted of a simulated landfill loaded with representative municipal solid waste (MSW) and a separate upflow anaerobic methane reactor. The concept under investigation was the separation of the acidogenic and the methanogenic phases of anaerobic fermentation, converting the sanitary landfill into an acid reactor and using a separate upflow fixed-film anaerobic reactor for …

The Interstate Variation In Long-Term Care For The Elderly Financed By Medicaid., Mark Allen Krause

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Historically, the role of the states have reflected the desires of its residents in the formulation of public policy. Currently, as a result of the devolution of federal programs under the Reagan Administration, the environment that the states operate is expanding--including greater programmatic discretion, regulatory enforcement, and monetary generation capabilities. This dissertation has evaluated one area in which the states are afforded such discretionary powers--long term health care provision for the elderly financed via Medicaid. The increasing number of elderly in the population, their reduced mortality rate, and their demand for health care has placed a burden not only on …

Maternal Perceptions Of Preterm And Term Infants Using The Neonatal Perception Inventory Ii: A Comparative Study., Karen E. Miles

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to compare the perceptions of mothers of preterm infants with the perceptions of the mothers of term infants, and to identify the variables related to these perceptions that may place these infants at increased risk for later psychosocial problems. The Neonatal Perception Inventory (NPI II), a simple, often-used assessment of maternal perceptions, was used for this study. Subjects were 36 mothers of healthy, term infants and 14 mothers of healthy, preterm infants who delivered at a regional perinatal center. The NPI II was mailed to the mothers after their infants had been home from …

Surplus School Space: Unique And Interesting Alternative Uses In Selected Districts In Pennsylvania, New Jersey And Maryland., A Richard Pitcock

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this investigation was to determine what unique and interesting uses of surplus school space existed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. Answers to the following questions were sought: (1) What were the legal restraints imposed upon school boards in each state regarding selling, leasing, renting, transferring or disposing of school property? (2) What were acceptable alternative uses of school space in each of these states? The laws in these three states were researched to determine if legal restraints were imposed upon school boards regarding the use or disposition of surplus space and property. Following the identification of …

An Adult Education Program Planning Model For The National Universities Of Egypt., Waguida A. El Bakary

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In view of the success of American program planning models and their potential contribution to adult education centers at the national universities of Egypt, the researcher wanted to investigate the usefulness of such models to the Egyptian national universities. Six U.S. program planning models by Boyle (1981), Houle (1972), Knowles (1970), Knox and Associates (1980), Sork and Buskey (1986), and Tyler (1949) were selected and synthesized. The researcher developed a model, based on 15 steps and 73 key tasks. She introduced it for testing to determine its usefulness for the national universities of Egypt. Testing was done through the use …