Digital Commons Network^™

"No Matter Where You Go, There You Are" But How Do We Find You? Location Determination Technologies For Cellular Enhanced 9-1-1 Service., Wendy Sue Geary

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recently there has been an explosive growth in the use of cellular telephones. Many people purchase "cell phones" specifically for the safety factor, expecting the same type of Enhanced 911 service they receive from landline phones. However, the only 911 service currently available for cellular callers in most areas is Basic 911, which means that emergency response time may be less than optimal. A recent Federal Communications Commission regulation promotes the provision of Enhanced 911 service for wireless customers. A key component of this Enhanced service is "Automatic Location Information" ("ALI"), a computerized report of caller location that allows calls …

Comparing Moral Values In Gotthold Ephraim Lessing's "Miss Sara Sampson" And Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter"., Karsten Dieter Kleine

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis examines the impact of rigid moral codes on women by comparing two works, Lessing’s Miss Sara Sampson, (1775), and Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, (1850). Although the works were written in different centuries and continents, they share a common theme: the clash between patriarchal control and women’s quest for self-determination. In each work, a beautiful young woman violates the social code by becoming involved in an illicit love affair, and because of this transgression and her refusal to renounce her love, is severely punished. Also in each work, the father-daughter relationship is highlighted and can be seen to symbolize …

Developing Critical Consciousness: Representations Of Race And Gender In Two Afro-German Works., Maren Knebel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Eva Demski and Ika Hügel-Marshall are two contemporary women writers whose works contribute significantly to the Afro-German culture. Demski is a “white” German author who depicts in her novel the life of an Afro-German woman, Afra, as well as the life of her “white” daughter, Nivea. Hügel-Marshall, who was born in 1947 as the daughter of a German mother and an African-American father, depicts in her autobiography her own development from object to subject. This thesis demonstrates that both authors encourage a development of critical consciousness by creating written evidence of a shared Afro-German identity and by expressing the problems …

The Effects Of Aluminum And Nitrogen On Mycorrhizal And Non-Mycorrhizal Tulip Poplar., Heidi Brauer Lux

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Elevated levels of acidic deposition are leading to higher concentrations of aluminum (Al) in the soil solutions of some forest ecosystems. For this thesis, I performed a suite of experiments to investigate the effects of four interconnected factors on the growth and nutrition of Liriodendron tulipifera L. (tulip poplar): 1. Al exposure in solution; 2. mycorrhizal presence and percent colonization; 3. N source ratio; and 4. N level. My studies of L. tulipifera demonstrate a sensitivity to Al at concentrations as low as 100 µM, ranking it among the most Al sensitive tree species ever studied. Selected Al tolerant species …

An Evaluation Of Avhrr Ndvi Data For Monitoring Western Spruce Budworm Defoliation., Zainal Abdul Majeed

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis is an evaluation of the possibility of using NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite imagery to map defoliation by the western spruce budworm in Washington and Oregon. The AVHRR data was obtained as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) maximum value composites from the USGS. Additional data sets included ten years of defoliation data (1989-1998), an EPA ecoregion map, a USFS forest type group map, and a digital elevation model. A biogeographical analysis of the distribution of the defoliation and its potential habitat showed that defoliation was most extensive over the altitude ranges over which the habitat …

Assertion Seeding: Development Of Program Instrumentation Through Iterative Formal Analysis., Vikram Nagulakonda

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Model Checking has been successfully used for validating the requirements of concurrent systems, but validating requirements does not guarantee a sound implementation. We combine the power of model checking with source code assertions to verify concurrent systems. Assertions have been used for detecting software faults during debugging and for run-time checking in production releases of software. We developed the Model-based Assertion Generator and Extraction Tool (MAGET) to extract a PROMELA state model from an assertion-annotated Java program. The extracted model is then validated against properties specified in linear temporal logic (LTL) and the results of the validation process are used …

Neural Networks For Control Signal Reconstruction In Non-Linear Systems With An Application To Aircraft Dynamics., Stelios Pantelis Pispitsos

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In recent years, general, commercial and military aviation has been plagued by the occurrence of several crashes, in which faulty control surfaces appeared to be the cause, or one of the possible causes. Typically, the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) begins its investigation by analyzing the wreckage along with the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR). In most instances this combination of information is enough for the NTSB to discover the cause of the crash, but unfortunately this is not always the case. From this the argument can be made that there is a need for …

A Case Study For Building An Automated Damage Detection System., Eduard S. Sazonov

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Non-destructive damage detection using vibration techniques provides a valuable tool in identification of damage and monitoring of structural integrity in structures. Earlier research had shown that use of strain energy mode shapes allows identifying and locating damage. A highly qualified expert is required in order to analyze acquired mode shapes and recognize damage locations.

This research investigates several aspects of building an automated damage detection system utilizing the method of strain energy mode shapes. Such a system would replace a human expert at the most critical part of damage detection process. The study had been conducted using a FE model …

Development Of And Measurement Using A Point Doppler Velocimetry (Pdv) System., David L. Webb

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A two component Point Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) system has been developed and tested. Improvements were made to an earlier PDV system, in terms of experimental techniques, as well as the data acquisition and reduction software. Measurements of the streamwise and spanwise mean and fluctuating velocities for flows from a rectangular channel and over an NACA 0012 airfoil were made, and the data were compared against hot wire data. The closest to the airfoil surface that PDV measurements could be made was on the order of 0.005 m (0.2”, z/c = 0.0169). When the PDV and hot wire data were compared, …

The Development Of A Droplet Formation And Entrainment Model For Simulations Of Immiscible Liquid-Liquid Flows., Wesley Michael Wilson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Droplet formation is a common phenomenon in turbulent mixing and has many practical applications in emulsion technology, surface agents, and liquid-liquid extraction. The ability to predict the relative sizes and distributions of fluid droplets formed from mixing events is a complex problem which is dependent on many different parameters including geometric considerations, the nature and physical properties of the fluids in question, turbulence parameters, buoyancy and body forces, and flow history. While there have been many researchers who have analyzed this problem for both liquid-liquid and gasliquid systems, the present study will focus only on droplet formation in immiscible liquid-liquid …

The Evolution Of Adult Literacy For Learners With Special Needs., Susie A. Huggins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis looks at the evolution of adult education over the last 340 years and includes a discussion on Moonlight Schools and Operation Alphabet. The educational abilities of men and women are discussed. The evolution of adult education is reviewed through the legislation that effected the school system. The history of Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) and the role of the Monongalia County LVA affiliate are reviewed. A survey of the MCLVA is conducted to research educational attainment of parents, adult learners and children of adult learners. Finally, the WV driver’s license exam process is reviewed. Many adult learners have …

Effect Of Maturity And Divalent Salts On Quality Of Low-Fat, Low-Sodium Restructured Beef., Sharon L. Pojedinec

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Manipulation of product formulation protocols and ingredients to optimize texture development and processing yields provides opportunity to produce high quality, low sodium, low-fat restructured beef. The objective of this experiment was to determine effect of preblending with MgCl2 and/or CaCl2 on functionality of A- and C-maturity, in low-sodium, low-fat restructured beef. Addition of CaCl2 decreased (p< 0.001) raw and cooked pH. For both maturities, raw products with CaCl2 had more soluble protein (p< 0.05) than products without CaCl2. C-maturity products contained more soluble myosin (p< 0.10) than A-maturity products. In C-maturity treatments, MgCl2 increased (p< 0.005) myosin solubility. Products with CaCl2 decreased (p< 0.01) actin solubility. In A-maturity products, MgCl2 had less (p< 0.05) soluble actin than treatments without MgCl2. In C-maturity products, MgCl2 contained more (p< 0.05) soluble actin than treatments without MgCl2. Addition of CaCl2 decreased (p< 0.005) cook yield and addition of MgCl2 increased (p< 0.005) cook yield. In C-maturity products, treatments without CaCl2 had a higher (p< 0.0005) peak force than treatments without CaCl2 in A maturity products. In A-maturity products, treatments without MgCl2 had lower (p< 0.005) peak force than the same treatment in C-maturity products and lower (p< 0.05) than MgCl2 containing treatments. C-maturity products were more cohesive (p< 0.08) than A-maturity. Addition of CaCl2 increased (p< 0.05) cohesiveness and added MgCl2 decreased (p< 0.05) cohesiveness. Addition of MgCl2 and CaCl2 and beef maturity affect protein-water interactions and texture development of low-sodium, low-fat restructured beef.

The Origins Of Rapids In The Lower New River Gorge, West Virginia., Dawn Anne Moore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rapids occur where supercritical flow conditions are present (Kieffer, 1985). Supercritical flow, resulting from a local decrease in stream depth or acceleration in flow, is commonly produced where voluminous surficial deposits or bedrock outcrops constrict the stream channel. Mapping at 1:10,000-scale shows that most rapids in the lower New River Gorge, are a result of surficial deposits, including valley-wall mass movement, tributary debris fans, and alluvium. Few rapids occur at bedrock outcrops. Half of the rapids are predominantly the result of valley-wall mass movement, including debris flow, rock fall, and debris slide/complex failures. Tributary debris-fan deposits, derived from debris flows …

An Investigation Of Carbon Residue From Pyrolyzed Scrap Tires., Bhagat Chandra Bandlamudi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objectives of this study are: (1) Blending the Conrad residue with coal derived pitches and its effect on the pitch properties. (2) The activation of the Conrad residue with carbon dioxide. (3) Assessment of the relationship between surface area of the activated residue and extent of activation. The Conrad residue is blended with a hydrogenated coal pitch and a commercial coal-tar binder pitch. The particle size of the residue is too large to produce the desired degree of isotropy. Moreover, coking of the coal-tar mixture yields a carbon foam whose density is proportional to the amount of residue. The …

The Effects Of Small Population Size, Breeding System, And Gene Flow On Fruit And Seed Production In American Ginseng (Panax Quinquefolius L., Araliaceae)., Erin Elizabeth Hackney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Harvesting of wild American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) has lowered natural population sizes. Accurate assessment of extinction risks necessitates an understanding of the demographic consequences of small populations. I experimentally tested for reproductive limitation of plants in small populations (a form of the Allee effect). I found that fruit production per plant significantly declines in small populations, suggesting mate-limitation of seed set despite the ability of ginseng to self-pollinate. A detailed breeding system study was then carried out, demonstrating that both selfing and outcrossing contribute to seed production. A third study examined the spatial extent of pollen flow in an …

A Study Of The Unemployment Issue In China., Kebin Wu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

China is currently facing the highest unemployment rate experienced since 1978. It is one of the main issues affecting social stability now. The Chinese official documents interpret “laid off” in an idiosyncratic way, which is different from the common sense of unemployment. Thus, the reported unemployment rate does not reflect the actual unemployment condition, i.e. the reported unemployment rate in China is below 3.3% this year, which is far from the reality. To get a more accurate picture of the unemployment condition in China, data adjustment is used in this paper. This study performs a factor analysis to examine the …

A Study Of Paraffin Deposition And Removal Characteristics Of Jacksonburg-Stringtown Oil, West Virginia., Furqan Ul Haq

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Laboratory experiments were carried out in order to validate the critical model of wax deposition. Results are presented in the form of time evolution of axial distribution of temperature and layer thickness. It is shown that the simple laboratory model of cold spot test is capable of predicting the order of magnitude of deposition. Experimental results also detail the effectiveness of chemical additives, which acts as inhibitors to wax deposition. Dissipation by these organic solvents is studied for effectiveness at various additive to crude ratios and binary mixtures of additives at various mole fractions. The screening tests of chemical additives …

The Relative Efficacy Of Computer Assisted Instruction., Dane Edward Huxford

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This manuscript examines the relative efficacy of computer assisted instruction (CAI). A review of literature is examined with regard to the positive and negative aspects of the use of CAI in the university classroom. An experimental design was outlined incorporating the use of 3 teachers instructing 3 separate sections of volunteer students on a topic. The design measured the differences between affective learning, cognitive learning and student perceptions of teacher nonverbal immediacy. Participants were randomly assigned to a class, which utilized either: lecture, handout or the use of CAI. Results showed significant differences between teachers and a slight difference in …

The Degradation Of Drugs In Formaldehyde., Devona Gwen James

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Embalming fluid, formaldehyde, is commonly used to preserve the body following death. Yet, this practice may confound forensic toxicology studies because of its potential reactivity with drugs. The few studies that have been conducted have focused on the tricyclic antidepressants, nortriptyline and desipramine, demonstrating that these compounds undergo methylation to form amitriptyline and imipramine in the presence of formaldehyde. The present study was designed to investigate several classes of common forensic drugs for their reaction in the presence of formaldehyde. Three concentrations of formaldehyde solutions were used (5, 10, and 20%) at a pH of no adjustment (3-3.5), 7 and …

An Application Of The Delphi Method Of Forecasting To The Future Of Public Education In West Virginia, Carl H. Friebel Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study investigated the nature and types of events that will affect the future of public education in West Virginia. A three round modified Delphi design was used to identify the events, estimate when each might occur, and determine their level of impact and desirability.

In Round 1, surveys were mailed to forty-seven educational leaders representing various educational agencies and constituencies in West Virginia. In response to the first survey, panelists generated a total of one hundred thirty-four events which had at least a 50 percent probability of occurrence between the present and the year 2020. In Round 2, panelists …

Perturbation Studies Of Excitable Media, Lisa Elizabeth Seagraves

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) based systems are probably the most often studied polymer gels due to their dramatic change in volume, swelling and deswelling. Since this system has the best response to pH between 4 and 7, the ferrocyanide-iodate-sulfite (FIS) reaction, which exhibits pH oscillations between 4 and 7.5 in a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR), is a good candidate for studies of oscillatory gel systems.;This work also focused on two dynamical phenomena in the ruthenium catalyzed Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. One is self-organized criticality and the other is periodic forcing and how they can be studied with the BZ reaction. Self-organized criticality …

Development Of A Heavy-Duty Vehicle Chassis Dynamometer Test Route, James Joseph Daley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A heavy duty vehicle chassis dynamometer driving route, titled "City-Suburban Heavy Vehicle Route" (CSHVR) was developed. Data for designing the CSHVR were collected using a Campbell Scientific 21x. Procedures were developed to reduce statistically the speed and time data into representative speed vs. time cycles. Criteria for producing the speed vs. time cycles included average vehicle speed, standard deviation of vehicle speed and total cruise time. The speed vs. time cycle was converted into a speed vs. distance route with free acceleration ramps. Using this method, the CSHVR was developed. Testing of the CSHVR was completed using the West Virginia …

Computer-Controlled Autonomous Model Car: A Mechatronics Project, Aparna Sachidanand

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mechatronics is a synthesis of mechanical engineering and electronic engineering, and computer engineering, distinct areas that overlap in the design of systems. It represents the interdisciplinary nature of design and development of today's products.;The current research focuses on the design, construction and testing of a computer controlled autonomous model car which can exhibit intelligent behavior such as timed course execution, obstacle detection, and response to sensor inputs. The car is intended as a mechatronics design project that will be integrated into an existing one-semester mechanical engineering undergraduate instrumentation course.;The car was designed around a microprocessor board (Tern Analog Drive) controlled …

Desire For Thinness And Desire For Health In Eighteen And Nineteen-Year-Old Females, Monica Gene Andis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Desire for thinness and desire for health were surveyed among eighteen and nineteen year old female adolescents in north-central West Virginia to determine the incidence of these motivations within this population and their relationship to unnecessary weight loss concerns, and dieting behaviors. Variables derived from body image satisfaction, self-esteem, socioeconomic status, religiosity, and food management behavior were examined for their ability to predict desire for thinness and health in subjects.;Using the statistical process of discriminate analysis, 51.6% of 345 subjects were correctly classified into groups desiring thinness and/or health. Only weight perception accuracy and food management group were found to …

Interoperable Components Across Multiple Component Architectures, Ravi S. Banda

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A component is a pre-fabricated, pre-tested software object that provides clients with a well-defined set of services. Component software requires an architecture through which any developer or vendor can deliver a component at any time and have that component become immediately useful to applications on any given system. A system that supports component software must therefore support a generic service abstraction that is, an architecture that defines how all types of components appear and how they are manipulated. As part of the thesis various component architectures COM, JavaBeans and CORBA have been studied and the interoperability issues between the components …

Modulation Of Aging Process By Diet And Crosslinking Inhibitor And Their Effects On Production In Poultry, Muhammad Iqbal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The factors which influence the age-related decline in production performance and increases in meat toughness in broiler breeder hens are poorly understood. We have hypothesized that the elevated plasma concentration of glucose contributes to the nonenzymatic attachment of glucose to proteins, and generates glycoxidation crosslinks in tissues which can ultimately impair function, is responsible for loss of production. One such crosslink, pentosidine, is an established indicator of both glycative and oxidative tissue damage in mammals. Specifically, the role of diet restriction (DR) and a nucleophilic hydrazine compound, aminoguanidine (AG), a crosslinking inhibitor, were examined on tissue crosslinking with the view …

Nondestructive Testing Of Concrete Bridge Decks Using Ground-Penetrating Radar And The Chain Drag Method, Jerry J. Scheff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis presents the findings of two different nondestructive techniques that are used for bridge deck analysis: the chain drag method and ground penetrating radar (GPR). The chain drag testing was performed in the laboratory with 23 simulated concrete bridge deck specimens. The specimens contained varying internal conditions such as with/without steel reinforcement and with air and water filled cracks. The tests were to determine if the chains could uncover the different characteristics of each specimen, and to see if the varying sizes of the three chains had any influence on the outcome of the results.;The GPR testing was performed …

Fluency And Controlled-Operant Training Methods, Finnur Oddsson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study compared the effectiveness three computerized training methods with respect to behavioral outcomes correlated with fluency. Subjects were trained to translate binary numbers into decimal numbers. Responses were made orally with the use of voice recognition software. One training method presented 50 stimuli on a computer monitor at a time (No ITIs). The other two methods (0s and 1.5s ITIs) presented stimuli separately on the monitor using discrete trials. Inter trial intervals were manipulated for the latter training methods. Results showed that all subjects achieved fluent performance on the training task. Subjects reached rate criterion faster and with less …

Droplet Coalescence In The Shear Flow Of Model Emulsions, Adam Abdallah Al-Mulla

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

During the flow of an emulsion, droplets of the dispersed phase can deform, breakup, coalesce or migrate to other regions within the flow field. Understanding these different processes, both individually and jointly, is relevant, for example, to the development of morphology in immiscible liquid-liquid systems such as polymer blends formulated using single screw or twin screw extruders. While deformation and breakup have been well researched for single drops, migration occurs only for concentrated emulsions. In this study, dilute emulsions of silicone oil and castor oil were employed to observe drop coalescence in the absence of drop breakup; flow fields utilized …

Winter Movements And Habitat Use Of Northern Saw-Whet Owls At Assateague Island, Maryland, John Beaudry Churchill

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ten Northern Saw-whet Owls were radio-tracked over two winters (1996 and 1997) at Assateague Island, Maryland. I used the fixed kernel method to calculate home range estimates for seven owls. Ninety-five percent home range sizes averaged 122.9 ha (range from 39.7--261.9 ha) but varied in size and shape. I also calculated adaptive kernel, harmonic mean, and minimum convex polygon home ranges for comparison of these methods. Habitat composition in 30% home ranges was compared with 95% home ranges and 30% and 95% home ranges were each compared with composition of the entire study area using compositional analysis.;Roost site characteristics were …