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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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Development Of A Method For Calculation Of Cardiac Output Using Doppler Ultrasound, Amit Diggikar Dec 1999

Development Of A Method For Calculation Of Cardiac Output Using Doppler Ultrasound, Amit Diggikar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute. The Doppler effect can be used to measure cardiac output by measuring the peak frequency, which is directly proportional to the velocity of blood flowing in the aorta, associated with the Doppler shift signal when an ultrasound beam is incident on the aorta. Stroke volume is the product of the cross sectional area of the aorta and the integration of peak velocity over time. Stroke volume times the heart rate is the cardiac output. This project attempts to develop an algorithm that would automatically calculates the …

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Probability Analysis Of Slope Stability, Jennifer Lynn Peterson Dec 1999

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 …

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Study Of The Kalman Filter For Arrhythmia Detection With Intracardiac Electrograms, Pisut Raphisak Dec 1999

Study Of The Kalman Filter For Arrhythmia Detection With Intracardiac Electrograms, Pisut Raphisak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Third generation implantable antitachycardia devices offer tiered-therapy to reverse ventricular fibrillation (VF) by defibrillation and ventricular tachycardia (VT) by low-energy cardioversion or antitachycardia pacing. The schemes for detecting cardiac arrhythmias often realize nonpathologic tachycardia as serious arrhythmias and deliver false shocks. In this study, an arrhythmia classification technique has been developed with the use of Kalman filter applied on cyclostationary autoregressive model. This new algorithm was developed with a training set of 24 arrhythmia passages and tested on a different data set of 29 arrhythmia passages. The algorithm provides 100% detection of VF on the test set. 77.8% of VTs …

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Field Analysis And Design Of A Moving Iron Linear Alternator For Use With Linear Engine, Dulpichet Rerkpreedapong Dec 1999

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 …

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Design And Development Of Fuzzy Expert System For Handy Board, Aditya Kumar Singh Dec 1999

Design And Development Of Fuzzy Expert System For Handy Board, Aditya Kumar Singh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The recent trend in global manufacturing scenario has resulted in the emergence of many innovative techniques that have revolutionized the manufacturing industry as a whole. A lot of states of art advances have been associated with the increasing use of microprocessors in advance manufacturing systems. Out of many the one, which has predominantly captured the real time, behavioral use is the Fuzzy Logic.;Fuzzy logic implementation in real time environment involves the integration of multi-disciplinary area like computer engineering, mechanical and electronic systems tailored towards smart systems that enable a very precise control on the process. The fuzzy logic based project …

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Response Time To Batted Balls, Tracie L. Stechly Seivertson Dec 1999

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 …

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Regressive Model Approach To The Generation Of Test Trajectories, Brian James Taylor Dec 1999

Regressive Model Approach To The Generation Of Test Trajectories, Brian James Taylor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

One possible method of reliability assurance is the application of large testing sets upon a system via statistical reliability assessment. Under this method, a software system's operations are tested according to their actual usage. A problem with this approach is the large number of tests required to properly assess reliability. Complicating the process are situations where an input into the system is a trajectory of data, where a trajectory is defined as a series of data points with each point relying upon the previous points. Examples of trajectories of data include an airplane's flight path or data describing a nuclear …

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Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study Of The Stability And Conformation Of Spin-Probe Labeled Dnas, Eva Darian Dec 1999

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study Of The Stability And Conformation Of Spin-Probe Labeled Dnas, Eva Darian

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nitroxide based spin-probes, observable by ESR, have been used to study protein structure and protein-substrate interactions. More recently, spin-probe labeled DNAs have been introduced to study its structure and dynamics. Molecular modeling has proven to be an increasingly powerful tool for studying structure and dynamics of biologically interesting, molecules. As part of our work, we have conducted molecular dynamics simulations on both double-stranded (ds) and triple-stranded or triplex (tx) spin-probe labeled DNAs for comparison with unmodified ones and to design new probes. Nitroxide spin-labeled analogue of thymidine in which the methyl group is replaced by an acetylene-tethered nitroxide (T*) was …

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Multiple Data Set Integration And Gis Techniques Used To Investigate Linear Structural Controls In The Southern Powder River Basin, Wyoming, Heath Patrick Rasco Dec 1999

Multiple Data Set Integration And Gis Techniques Used To Investigate Linear Structural Controls In The Southern Powder River Basin, Wyoming, Heath Patrick Rasco

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Lineaments in the Powder River Basin were mapped and categorized from Landsat TM imagery, a Digital Elevation Model (30 m), and Digital Line Graph (DLG) hydrology files. A GIS program was written using DLG information to eliminate those lineaments that were within 20° of roads and railroads. The DLG and DEM information was further used to stratify the topographic lineaments into slope-breaks, ridge-tops, or valleys. Rose diagrams created for each class of lineaments give important clues on the timing of their formation. The major northwest and northeast trends that these lineaments follow appear to correspond with those identified by previous …

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Association Of Parental Weight With Pregnancy Weight Gain And Outcome, Rini Banerji Dec 1999

Association Of Parental Weight With Pregnancy Weight Gain And Outcome, Rini Banerji

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of paternal of paternal BMI with maternal weight gain, the birth weight of the newborn and to develop a prediction equation. This study utilized a purposive sampling technique. The participants for this study were recruited from five different WIC sites in north central West Virginia. The sample consisted of 156 participants out of which 93 completed the study.;Data was collected from the participants through direct administration of questionnaires and personal interviews. The data was analyzed using the statistical software STATISTICA version 5.5, 1999.;The findings of this study indicate that there …

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Size Fractionation Of Bacterial Functional Diversity Within Soils, Krista Lynne Kinneer Dec 1999

Size Fractionation Of Bacterial Functional Diversity Within Soils, Krista Lynne Kinneer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

BIOLOGRTM GN and GP microtitre plates were used to compare functional diversity of large (>0.45 mum, LC) and small (<0.45 mum, SC) cells within A and B horizons of cultivated and forested Guernsey silt-loam soil without enrichment and following enrichment in dilution culture. Without enrichment, SC exhibited limited substrate utilization compared with LC. B horizon SC failed to positively utilize any carbon substrates, which suggests that they may be physiologically inactive and/or metabolically distinct from those in A horizon soils. Following enrichment, A horizon SC from highly diluted enrichment cultures produced substrate utilization patterns distinct both from all enrichments of LC and from SC obtained in less dilute enrichments. At any given inoculum dilution, A horizon SC exhibited greater substrate utilization than B horizon SC, which exhibited positive substrate utilization following enrichment. Amplified ribosomal DNA (ARDRA) analyses of SC dilution culture enrichments demonstrated distinct bacterial sub-populations from a single soil sample.

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Perceptions Of Hiv/Aids In West Virginia Nursing Facilities, Valarie Ann Bell Dec 1999

Perceptions Of Hiv/Aids In West Virginia Nursing Facilities, Valarie Ann Bell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction. Placement of HIV/AIDS infected individuals into geriatric long-term care facilities has been a problem since the beginning of HIV/AIDS. Specific aims. The objective of this study was to determine how prepared West Virginia nursing facilities are to deal with the HIV/AIDS population. Methods. An anonymous mailed survey guided by the organizational change theory was sent to all 144 certified nursing facilities within the state. Questions were asked about current policies, procedures, education, concerns, resources, and experiences specific to HIV/AIDS. Results. A total of 72 surveys were returned for a response rate of 50%. Most facilities (71.8%) offered educational programs …

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Role Of Iron In The Accumulation Of Glomalin, An Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Glycoprotein, Kristine Ann Nichols Dec 1999

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 …

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Functional Diversity And Life History Traits Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi In Disturbed Soils, Kelly Marie Fleming Dec 1999

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 …

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Back To Nature To Beat The Blues, Shannon Leigh Kirby Lawson Dec 1999

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 …

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Tissue Thickness Measurement Tool For Craniofacial Reconstruction, Hari Kinan Gopal Boddupalli Dec 1999

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 …

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Explanatory Models Of Chronic Pain, Elizabeth Neely Thrush Dec 1999

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 …

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Verification And Validation In Software Product Line Engineering, Edward Alton Addy Dec 1999

Verification And Validation In Software Product Line Engineering, Edward Alton Addy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Verification and Validation (V&V) is currently performed during application development for many systems, especially safety-critical and mission-critical systems. However, the V&V process has been limited to single system development. This dissertation describes the extension of V&V from an individual application system to a product line of systems that are developed within an architecture-based software engineering environment.;In traditional V&V, the system provides the context under which the software will be evaluated, and V&V activities occur during all phases of the system development lifecycle. The transition to a product line approach to development removes the individual system as the context for evaluation, …

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Performance Evaluation Of Exhaust Aftertreatment Devices Used For Emissions Control On Diesel Engines Employed In Underground Coal Mines, Daniel K. Carder Dec 1999

Performance Evaluation Of Exhaust Aftertreatment Devices Used For Emissions Control On Diesel Engines Employed In Underground Coal Mines, Daniel K. Carder

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was initiated to assist the WV Diesel Equipment Commission in its promulgation of initial rules, requirements, and standards governing the operation of diesel-powered equipment in underground coal mines. Four different engines and various exhaust after treatment devices that represent current levels of in-use technology were selected for performance evaluation. Both eddy-current and water-brake dynamometers were used to load the engines according to an ISO 8-Mode test cycle. Experimental emissions data, sampled from a full-flow dilution tunnel, suggests that particulate traps can reduce the mass emission rates of particulate matter (DPM) by nearly 90%, while reductions in fuel sulfur …

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Relations Between Measures Of Attention And Memory In The Assessment Of Children With Attentional Difficulties, Karen S. Kirk Dec 1999

Relations Between Measures Of Attention And Memory In The Assessment Of Children With Attentional Difficulties, Karen S. Kirk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Attentional difficulties are associated with a number of different pediatric clinical disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (LD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Further, two cognitive functions dependent upon attention, learning and memory, are characteristic deficits in LD children, and have been documented as correlated weaknesses in ADHD and TBI populations. However, few investigations have examined the relation between these cognitive functions, in terms of understanding the respective contributions of attention, learning, and memory deficits in the clinical groups indicated above. In the present study, a measure of attention, the Gordon Diagnostic System (GDS) was compared to …

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Optimal Power Flow Using A Genetic Algorithm And Linear Algebra, Reid S. Maust Dec 1999

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 …

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Decision Support Tool For Costing Of The Pultrusion Process, Taher Badrudin Patrawala Dec 1999

Decision Support Tool For Costing Of The Pultrusion Process, Taher Badrudin Patrawala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of advanced composites has grown over the last two decades. These high strength, low weight materials can now be found in many structural applications, including bridges. However, the substitution of plastics for conventional materials, such as steel, is governed by engineering constraints and cost competitiveness. A brief discussion of the process variables and engineering constraints is presented in the first chapter. To analyze the latter and to identify cost centers in production more readily, a computerized cost model was developed. This model estimates the cost of producing components by the pultrusion process.;The technical cost modeling methodology employed involves …

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Measurement Of Particulate Matter Size, Concentration And Mass Emissions From In-Use Heavy Duty Vehicles, Richard Jason Byers Dec 1999

Measurement Of Particulate Matter Size, Concentration And Mass Emissions From In-Use Heavy Duty Vehicles, Richard Jason Byers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As technological advancements lower heavy duty vehicle particulate matter (PM) mass emission rates, there is concern that these improvements are increasing the toxicity of the PM by virtue of a subsequent reduction in particle size. These ultrafine particles are able to better penetrate the alveolar region where they can cause serious lung disorders. Alternative fuels such as compressed and liquefied natural gas (CNG and LNG) and the synthetic diesel fuel Mossgas are attractive in that they reduce the levels of total PM. However, use of natural gas in internal combustion engines may produce a larger number of smaller particles than …

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Measuring Behavioral Disruption In Children Who Have Been In Motor Vehicle Accidents, Kimberly Mullen James Dec 1999

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 …

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Evaluation Of Ceramic Candle Filters Degradation And Damage Location Using Four-Point Bending Tests, Wu Tseng Peng Dec 1999

Evaluation Of Ceramic Candle Filters Degradation And Damage Location Using Four-Point Bending Tests, Wu Tseng Peng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The structural integrity of ceramic candle filters is a key element for hot gas cleanup systems. Ceramic candle filters used in demonstration plants have experienced degradation and fracturing. Preliminary examination of these ceramic filters indicated that damage of the filters may have resulted from strength degradation due to persistent high temperature operation, thermal transient events, excessive ash accumulation and bridging, and pulse cleaning. This study proposes a nondestructive evaluation of the structural properties of these ceramic filters. The ceramic candle filter is a slender structure made of layers of porous materials. The structure has high acoustic attenuation, which has greatly …

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Essays On The Political Economy Of State Government Saving And The Role Of Budget Stabilization Funds, Gary Albert Wagner Dec 1999

Essays On The Political Economy Of State Government Saving And The Role Of Budget Stabilization Funds, Gary Albert Wagner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores the saving behavior of state governments in the context of the ability of states to weather recessionary periods. The first chapter of the dissertation discusses the role of savings as a policy option for state decision-makers in light of the fiscal constraints facing state governments, reviews the previous literature that has examined the savings behavior of state governments, and outlines the research agenda for the dissertation. Chapter 2 provides statistics on the post-World War II savings of states to explore recent trends in their savings behavior and discusses the data employed in the dissertation. The third chapter …

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Java Challenge Software Project, Karuna Annavajjala Dec 1999

Java Challenge Software Project, Karuna Annavajjala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Programming contests are a means of exploiting the problem solving capabilities of developers and they provide a forum for display of extraordinary programming skills. The Java Challenge (JC) Software Project is the saga of creating an automated, secure and responsive programming contest system for deployment on the Internet and to collect information about programming practices, habits, and trends in coding in such restricted environment. The methodology followed to design, implement, and evaluate such a system uses new technologies such as the WWW, mail filtering and sandboxing techniques. The current Java Challenge implementation runs the Java Challenge on a Solaris 2.6 …

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Encapsulation Of Particles Using Brittle Coatings For Subterranean Applications, Aashish L. Bhatia Dec 1999

Encapsulation Of Particles Using Brittle Coatings For Subterranean Applications, Aashish L. Bhatia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The production of a brittle and moisture-resistant coating for particles, which reduce or "break" the viscosity of fracturing fluids, was explored.;The viscosity-reducer was ammonium persulfate. Polyurethane and acrylate coatings were investigated. The coated particles were assessed for dissolution in water before and after being subjected to a compression test. Polyurethane-coated particles had a high leach prior to compression and were considered unsuitable. Acrylate coatings gave much better results. The addition of significant quantities of silica in the coat increased significantly its brittleness. The acrylate formed agglomerates during the coating process. These were easier to break than single particles. These agglomerates …

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Integration Of Chicory Components And Chicory Optimization, Avinash Venkatesh Kalgi Dec 1999

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 …

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Data Mining Oipea Database For Waste And Productivity Enhancements In Manufacturing Units, Jaison John Ipe Dec 1999

Data Mining Oipea Database For Waste And Productivity Enhancements In Manufacturing Units, Jaison John Ipe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Small and medium-sized manufacturing plants (those with fewer than 500 employees) represent more than 98 percent of the more than 374,000 establishments in the U.S. manufacturing industry, 64 percent of employees in the total manufacturing labor force, and more than 42 percent of total manufacturing energy consumption.;In 1976 the federal government started funding industrial energy audits for small and medium sized manufacturing firms under the auspices of the Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) that are spread throughout the U.S. The data collected from the hundreds of energy audits that are conducted each year is collected in a database maintained by the …

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