Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparison Of The Stad And Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Methods In A College-Level Microcomputer Applications Course., Nina Zetty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the effects of two cooperative learning methods on the achievement, computer anxiety, and classroom environmental preferences (whole class, small cooperative groups, or individualized) of college-level students in two microcomputer applications classes. One group received instruction using the Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) method (n = 26), while the other group was taught using the Jigsaw method (n = 27); both groups were taught for one semester (15-weeks) by the same instructor. Although both cooperative groups reported statistically significant achievement gains for each application, the Jigsaw group scored significantly higher than the STAD group with the DOS {dollar}(F(1, …

Mathematical Modeling On The Role Of Thiobacillus Ferrooxidans In The Formation Of Acid Mine Drainage., Kareem Issa Batarseh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Experimental results are reported on the biological atmospheric oxidation of FeS{dollar}\\sb2{dollar} embedded within mine rocks in the presence of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Three different potentially acid-producing rock samples from different coal seams are used. The rate of FeS{dollar}\\sb2{dollar} conversion or production of acid is studied with respect to sterility and variations in temperature, and particle size. Pore size distributions as well as changes in porosity with conversion have been determined for both inoculated and sterilized samples. It is found, under the same experimental conditions, that the inoculated samples produce five times more acid than the sterilized ones. This is attributed to …

Countertransference Reactions Toward Incest Victims: A Qualitative Investigation., Susan Carol Bates

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This was a qualitative study investigating countertransference reactions toward incest victims and how these reactions impacted the therapist. Two caucasian male and two caucasian female therapists were participants. Their level of education varied from masters' degrees (n = 3) to a doctoral degree (n = 1). Years of experience ranged from 5 to 25 years. Each participant agreed to an in-depth interview, to maintain a journal for three months recording reactions toward two current sexual abuse clients, and to an exit interview. Qualitative analyses employing recommendations by Hycner (1985) were utilized. Results described a diversity of reactions and management of …

The Relationship Between Food Aid And Food Production In Sub-Saharan Africa., Saba Momodou Jallow

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between food aid and food production in thirty-six Sub-Saharan African countries over an eleven year period. Local food production was used as a dependent variable in a pooled cross sectional time series statistical model with food aid, GNP per capita, population, urbanization, literacy rates, regime type, and rainfall used as explanatory variables. The statistical model was supplemented with four cases pertaining to agricultural food policies and politics in Botswana, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Both internal and external constraints have contributed to the food crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa. The relationship …

Performance Analysis Of A Wave Pump Without Any Moving Parts Coming Into Contact With The Liquid., Syed Salman Khalid

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This paper describes a novel liquid pump which operates by wave action on the free surface. The wave action can be imposed by means of a piston or pneumatically moving fluid in contact with the liquid. This is of particular concern with hostile fluids such as molten metals, chemically corrosive or explosive liquids, or biologically shear stress sensitive fluids such as blood. The object of this research is to determine the theoretical performance of such a pump. Its mass flow rate depends on various parameters such as: wave tank surface area, wave amplitude inside the wave tank, frequency of oscillation, …

Transcendent Teacher-Learner Relationships: A Vision For Pursuit., Hunter O'Hara

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mounting outcry for improvement in education gives rise to consideration of learning phenomena that soar above the symptoms of an ailing system. Transcendent teacher-learner relationships, defined as spontaneously occurring ones that exceed traditional roles of interaction, result in turning point encounters for one or both relators. Having had such an encounter, the individual is never again quite the same, as perceptions are changed and life goals are altered. Teacher and learner move beyond the historical preoccupation with the learner's receptive need. Such relationships are never assigned, but instead they require two self-motivated relators who share a biographically oriented connection. This …

Marine Paleocommunities And Paleoenvironments Of The Upper Mississippian Bluefield Formation In Southern West Virginia., Cranston Christian Christopher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Six communities were recognized from the Chesterian age Bluefield Formation in southern West Virginia. These communities were distributed in a wide range of environments from intertidal to open marine. Bivalve communities dominated the shallow intertidal to nearshore environments and the brachiopod and echinoderm communities dominated the shallow and open marine environments. Statistical analyses including cluster, multidimensional scaling, and discriminant analysis were most effective and were used to interpret vertical and spatial distributions of the communities. Vertical changes in fauna were more common between several units of the Bluefield, and to a lesser extent within a particular unit. Faunal changes between …

The Effects Of Self-Graphing On Regular, At-Risk And Special Needs Students' Oral Reading Fluency And Comprehension., William D. Farrer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There are regular and at-risk students in regular education who are not progressing academically. The emphasis of keeping students in the regular reading classroom, while meeting their individual needs makes effective documentation vital. This study indicated that frequent measuring of student progress by collecting and graphing data can be useful. A multiple baseline design across behaviors and students was employed to determine if self-graphing would affect greater and more rapid change in student progress. All students showed improvement when they self-graphed words per minute (WPM) and rated their daily performance. Because improvement in WPM occurred only when self-graphing was introduced, …

The Attack And Defense Of Culp's Hill: Greene's Brigade At The Battle Of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863., Charles Clifford Fennell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the contribution made by General George Sears Greene and his brigade to the ultimate Union victory at Gettysburg on July 2-3, 1863. The thesis is that the possession of Culp's Hill by Union forces was essential to Union victory at Gettysburg and that Greene's brigade was primarily responsible for holding that key terrain on July 2, 1863, as well as contributing significantly to its defense on July 3. Furthermore, the nature of the fighting, which, more than any other fighting at Gettysburg, resembled modern warfare, will be detailed. To provide a better …

Restructuring In State Departments Of Education: An Analysis Of Structural Evolution., Harriet Maxey Deel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to address the nature of structural changes evolving in state departments of education which are perceived by chief state school officers as useful in implementing educational reforms. As a context for the inquiry on structural evolution, the study examined restatement of mission and goals in response to the reform movement. Examination of structural elements related to five areas: (a) reduction in vertical layers in the organization hierarchy, (b) adoption of flexible, cooperative roles, (c) decentralization of decision making, (d) delivery models for training and technical assistance to local education agencies and schools, and (e) …

Biotransformation As A Mechanism Of Dichloroacetic Acid Potentiation Of Chloroform Hepatotoxicity., Hui-Min Yang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and chloroform (CHCl{dollar}\\sb3{dollar}) both are major by-products formed during chlorination of drinking water. The potential threat to public health, of these compounds, is of great concern. Male and female rats were gavaged with DCA (2.45 mmol/kg), and then received an i.p. injection of CHCl{dollar}\\sb3{dollar} (0.25 ml/kg). The activities of plasma liver enzymes and the contents of plasma bilirubin were markedly increased in DCA-pretreated rats compared to their saline-pretreated controls. The possible mechanisms of CHCl{dollar}\\sb3{dollar}-induced hepatotoxicity potentiated by DCA treatment were investigated. It was hypothesized that the bioactivation of CHCl{dollar}\\sb3{dollar} in rats was enhanced by DCA treatment. The …

Deterministic And Probabilistic Analysis Of The Safety Of Coal Refuse Disposal Facilities., Shi-Chieh Jonathan Cheng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study is to develop a probabilistic technique in evaluating the stability of coal refuse disposal facilities. A review of coal refuse disposal and the variability associated with coal refuse have been presented. The causes of variability both in soil and coal refuse were discussed in detail, and the extent of variability of coal refuse properties were studied. A probabilistic approach named PEM was incorporated to determine the reliability and assess the probability of low factor of safety of coal refuse disposal facilities. A computer model based on the Simplified Bishop Method and PEM principles had been …

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 …

Development And Validation Of An Achievement Test Of Technological Literacy For Senior High School Students., Paulina Olufunmilayo Kuforiji

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reformers are urging a need for technological literacy for all students. Education has been criticized for its failure to produce technologically literate graduates. To defuse such criticism and do a better job of preparing students for the future, more students should be encouraged to take technology education courses. The purpose of this study was to provide information to educators and the public about the level of knowledge and understanding of technology possessed by senior high school students. The problem of this study was to develop, validate and establish tentative norms for an achievement test that measures the technological literacy of …

Role Of Estrogen And Boron In Calcium Metabolism And Eggshell Formation In The Chicken., Xuezhong Qin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Ca supply for eggshell formation depends on the rate of calcium transport in both the intestine and shell gland. Although estrogen (E{dollar}\\sb2){dollar} is known to play an important role in the regulation of Ca transport in these tissues, the mechanism responsible for this effect has not been elucidated. Study 1, 2, and 3 were thus conducted to determine the role of E{dollar}\\sb2{dollar} in the regulation of Ca-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in both the shell gland and intestine of immature chicks. In the shell gland, E{dollar}\\sb2{dollar} treatment increased the Vmax of Ca-ATPase without increasing the affinity of Ca-ATPase for …

Comparison Of Selected Anthropometric Measures, Body Composition And Training Volume Of College (Age) Swimmers., Sameer Abdullah Rezeq

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of the research was to identify those body characteristics, anthropometric variables, training program factors, and the interrelationship of these which result in swimming teams that excel. It is the first attempt to evaluate swimming activity in the United Arab Emirates, comparing it with swimmers in other countries. The country has been a participant in competitive swimming only since 1972, the year following its independence. This quantitative research examined scientific data of swimmers' performance and the physiological, biomechanical, and technical factors useful in developing programs for improving performance. A comparison was made of the 1990-1991 competitive swimming teams of …

Bending And Bond Behavior And Design Of Concrete Beams Reinforced With Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Rebars, Salem Samir Faza

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of non-corrosive fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) rebars in lieu of mild steel rods is investigated. The present work covers experimental testing of twenty-seven concrete beams reinforced with FRP rebars subjected to bending, twenty-four cantilever specimens subjected to bond forces, and twelve straight pull-out specimens. The following response of concrete beams reinforced with FRP rebars were investigated: pre- and post-cracking behavior, load-deflection and stress variations, elastic and ultimate load carrying capacities, crack widths and patterns, bond stress and embedment length, and modes of failure. In order to take advantage of the high tensile strength of FRP rebars (80 to …

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 Study Of The Relationship Between Women's Perceptions Of How They Were Parented And Their Development Of Intimate Relationships., Suanne Marie Ostendorf

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The focus of this qualitative, descriptive study was to explore how mid-life women describe their upbringing and how they experience their present-day relationships. Four mid-life, Caucasian, Protestant, married, professional women in their thirties, from a rural area in a mid-Atlantic state, took part in the study. They took part in an in-depth structured interview and also completed Rohner's Parental-Acceptance Rejection Questionnaire and Personality Assessment Questionnaire. Informants reported being influenced by their parents' value of childrearing and achievement. Role models other than caregivers were significant influences. They viewed themselves as caregivers and as "pursuers" in intimate relationship, but all informants expressed …

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 …

Self-Understanding And Empathy Development In Seasoned Psychotherapists: A Qualitative Study., Linda M. Sandel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

How do persons come to want to be helpers? What types of circumstances and life events help psychotherapists nurture and develop personal and professional self-awareness and self-understanding, as well as empathic ability? How does the practice of psychotherapy influence the lives of practitioners? Few research efforts have addressed these questions. An extensive literature review on the development of self-understanding in therapists suggested that the paradigm of the "wounded-healer", and the concept of narcissism, have often been used as a basis for exploring answers to these questions. Conceptually, it has been suggested that the healing of personal issues is a critical …

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 …

The Origin And Significance Of Mississippian Polymictic Diamictites In The Central Appalachian Basin., Tammy Diane Suter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The origin and significance of diamictites in the Late Devonian-Early Mississippian Spechty Kopf and Rockwell Formations is not fully understood. For this study, twelve outcrops in northeastern, central, and southwestern Pennsylvania and three outcrops in western Maryland, which contained the diamictite, were investigated. Petrographic analysis revealed that rocks in this study consisted of nine major lithologies: (1) quartz arenite, (2) sublitharenite, (3) sublitharenite (diamictite), (4) lithic arenite, (5) quartz wacke, (6) lithic wacke (15-40% matrix), (7) lithic wacke (40-60% matrix), (8) lithic wacke (60-75% matrix), and (9) mudstone. Stratigraphic analysis suggested that lithologies were deposited in eight facies: (1) fluvial, …

"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 …

Quality Economics In Total Quality Control., Fu Qiang Yang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this research is to develop a general approach to quality economics in Total Quality Control. Based on microeconomics theory and the development of prevailing quality control approaches, the research develops a set of economic quality concepts which provide a solid theoretical base for economic design and evaluation in quality control. A number of quality economics modeling procedures are established in the phases of both the consumer's and the producer's decision makings on product quality as well as their interactions. In the context of a total quality control approach, the research first analyzes consumer behavior under quality discrimination …

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 …

Manufacturing Data Representation Using An Object-Oriented Data Model., Ping Ji

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An integrated database plays a key role in the development of a Computer Integrated Manufacturing System (CIMS) and a Manufacturing Data Base (MDB) is one of the necessary components of the integrated data base. The MDB needs to have information on part geometry features, operation processes, operating parameters, machine tools, cutting tools, jigs and fixtures. The MDB should also provide capabilities to model, store and manipulate manufacturing data in a manner suitable to the users. The commercial Data Base Management Systems (DBMS) are not widely used in manufacturing application primarily because the conceptual and internal modeling tools that they provide …

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 …

Industry In The Potomac River Valley, 1760-1860., Frances C. Robb

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the industrial growth that took place in the Potomac River Valley from 1760 to 1860. Despite early enthusiasm, this region, which includes portions of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, underwent an alternative route of industrial development. Agriculture remained the center of economic development, but the activities and attitudes towards manufacturing in the Potomac River Valley went through three distinct phases, and included the founding of iron furnaces, glass houses, textile mills, coalfields, and tan yards. By studying the corporate histories and industrial growth of a region that has traditionally been viewed as economically backward, this …

Promotion Practices In Accredited Engineering Technology Programs., Martha Kelsey Shouldis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A survey of administrators of accredited engineering technology programs was completed in the spring of 1990 for the purpose of identifying, analyzing, and describing the basic credentials and key concepts related to promotion in academic rank of engineering technology faculty. The survey was limited to programs located in four-year public and private colleges, technical institutes, and community colleges. The results of the survey revealed differences in the relative importance of the criteria utilized in evaluating faculty for promotion within and between the four broad categories of Teaching, Institutional Service, Research and Publication, and Public Service. Administrators responding to this survey …