Digital Commons Network^™

Afis Based Likelihood Ratios For Latent Fingerprint Comparisons, Shreya Sateesh Kamath

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Latent fingerprints are one of the most common pieces of evidence found on a crime scene and represent accidental or unintentional prints collected as part of a criminal investigation. They are caused when the friction ridge skin comes in contact with a surface, and thus requires the use of chemical processing to be visualized with the naked eye. The comparison and identification of fingerprints depends on various factors such as the substrate quality, surface, duration, environmental factors and examiner experience. These factors can result in reduced clarity or content, and can even cause distortions as compared to a fingerprint taken …

Rehabilitation In The Punitive State: An Oxymoron? An Examination Of Rehabilitation And Punitive Practices In The United States, Jeri Kirby

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The extent and nature of incarceration has changed dramatically over the last 40 years in the United States. From 1980 to 2007, the American incarceration rate increased by 1,100 percent (BJS 2008). Much of this incarceration boom can be linked to the War on Drugs (WOD) and the punitive sentencing policies that developed from it. Understanding these punitive effects on individuals and communities and the challenges of prisoner re-entry requires us to consider the many levels of punishment that play a role in the United States correctional policies. Past research has considered the impact of the WOD policies on many …

Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometric Determination Of Selected Biological Species, Xiaqing Xu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Glow discharge mass spectrometry (GDMS) is widely used for trace elemental analysis of solid samples. A glow discharge source employs cathodic sputtering to release cathode species to the gas phase and subsequent collisional ionization of the sputtered species in the plasma. Ions representing the cathode material are differentiated by mass-to-charge values and then recorded by mass spectrometry. A pulsed radio frequency (RF) glow discharge time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GD-TOF MS) is employed in this study for its unique advantages, including the capability of direct analysis of nonconducting solids, temporal separation of ionization mechanisms, and the ability to acquire a complete spectrum …

Climatic And Ecohydrologic Linkages Of Net Ecosystem Exchanges (Nee) Across Diverse Ecosystems, Mohammed Tamim Zaki

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) indicates the balance between photosynthetic uptake and respiration of CO2 in a biological system. A large set of climatic and ecohydrological variables drives the dynamics of NEE through complex, interacting biophysical processes. The relative climatic and ecohydrologic linkages of NEE were determined in this study for different temporal scales (i.e., 1-hour, 1-day, 8-day, 15-day, and 30-day) by utilizing a systematic data analytics methodology. Pearson correlation matrix and factor analysis were employed to identify the interrelations and grouping patterns among the biophysical variables. The climatic and ecohydrologic linkages of NEE were then estimated using bootstrapped (1000 iterations) …

Social Capital Structure And Dynamics In Stream Restoration: A Social Network Analysis Approach To The Upper Shavers Fork, West Virginia, Paul J. Kinder Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Streams are common pool resources embedded in watersheds representing complex socio-ecological systems that provide ecological goods and services as well as economic and social benefits. They have been referred to as the lifeblood of civilization. Streams, however, are among the most vulnerable natural resources globally to anthropocentric impacts and are all too often in need of restoration. While the primary objective of stream restoration is to bring back healthy ecological functions, other benefits and outcomes from restoration efforts exist, but are often overlooked. These benefits and outcomes relate to effective natural resource governance systems, which rely on social networks comprised …

Experiences And Perceptions Of West Virginia Stakeholders Towards Industrial Hemp And Its End Uses, Rebekah K. Stevenson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Industrial hemp is an herbaceous, annual plant from the cannabis sativa family. It is highly desirable due to its end uses, adaptability to climates for farming, ease of growth, and overall profitability. Its versatile nature provides a valuable source of raw materials for fibers, oil, seed, and food. A renewable fiber, industrial hemp returns nitrogen into the soil after it the plant has been harvested and plowed into the field. The crop was mistakenly placed on Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances list in the 1970s due to its species relation to marijuana. Industrial hemp has been restricted until several …

Studies In European Integration And Institutional Change, Danko Tarabar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation is a collection of empirical essays studying the drivers of institutional change and the effects of economic and political integration across countries, with a special focus on the European setting. Chapter 2 examines the drivers of market-institutional change within transition countries, the early post-communist economies undergoing an economic system switch from socialism to a market order in the immediate aftermath of communism's collapse, between 1989 and 2001. I hypothesize that the effectiveness of political liberalization, a factor identified to be the major driver of economic reform in transition countries, is conditional on the underlying cultural attitudes that influence …

Analytical Modelling Of The Effects Of Different Gas Turbine Cooling Techniques On Engine Performance = Analytische Modellierung Der Wirkungen Von Verschiedenen Kuhlungskonfigurationen Der Turbinenschaufeln Auf Der Gasturbinenleistung, Selcuk Can Uysal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this research, MATLAB SimulinkRTM was used to develop a cooled engine model for industrial gas turbines and aero-engines. The model consists of uncooled on-design, mean-line turbomachinery design and a cooled off-design analysis in order to evaluate the engine performance parameters by using operating conditions, polytropic efficiencies, material information and cooling system details. The cooling analysis algorithm involves a 2nd law analysis to calculate losses from the cooling technique applied. The model is used in a sensitivity analysis that evaluates the impacts of variations in metal Biot number, thermal barrier coating Biot number, film cooling effectiveness, internal cooling effectiveness and …

Staff-Child Interaction Therapy Versus Treatment As Usual In Community-Based Wraparound Services: An Evaluation Of Feasibility And Child Behavior Problems, Nancy M. Wallace

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Wraparound services are a well-known, widely implemented community-based model developed to treat children with a variety of severe emotional disturbances (Clark & Clarke, 1996). Although results have demonstrated some positive outcomes (Suter & Bruns, 2009), significant weaknesses have also been noted including negative findings (Bertram, Suter, Bruns & O'Rourke, 2011) and a variety of methodological limitations (Suter & Bruns, 2009). States have recently begun to examine the empirical basis of wraparound programs to better understand their implementation and effectiveness (Community Data Roundtable, 2015).;The current study examined the implementation of Staff-Child Interaction Therapy (SCIT), a manualized treatment developed at West Virginia …

Evidence Utility In Forensic Intelligence Models, Jamie S. Spaulding

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Forensic intelligence is the accurate, timely, and useful product of logically processing forensic case data for investigation and/or intelligence purposes. The most important facet of any investigation is the decision making process due to significant influence and direction of the downstream investigation. Wrong decisions can lead to an unsolved case or implication of an innocent individual. Accurate decision making can be reinforced by linkages or relationships uncovered within a case. Analysis of evidence can also create a link between cases leading to more effective case closure. Application of forensic intelligence seeks to rectify this problem; more open and fluid communication …

What Do Astronomers Do: A Survey Of U.S. Astronomers' Attitudes, Tools And Techniques, And Social Interactions Engaged In Through Their Practice Of Science, Timothy S. Spuck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Astronomy is one of the oldest STEM enterprises today. It is a discipline through which technology has been advanced, as well as our understanding of the universe. Further, astronomy is a gateway science that inspires the imagination of young learners, and can be used to promote STEM careers. In order to advance the astronomy enterprise, we must maintain an informed citizenry. The practice of astronomy has changed over time; astronomy today is much different than it was 50 years ago. In an effort to identify the current practice of astronomy, or what it is that today's astronomers do, 478 U.S. …

A Survey Of Selected Piano Concerti For Elementary, Intermediate, And Early-Advanced Levels, Achareeya Fukiat

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research is a reference guide for piano teachers in selecting piano concerto repertoire to meet the abilities of their elementary, intermediate, and early-advanced piano students. Most well-known piano concerti are at the advanced level. It is difficult for piano teachers to choose appropriate piano concerto repertoire for less-advanced students. This research will serve as an important tool for those who are looking for new material for teaching outside the scope of the standard piano concerto literature.;Seventy-four piano concerti were selected for this study. They were organized into three categories, elementary level, intermediated level, and early-advanced level. The repertoire for …

Where The Earth Breathes Inside: The Attitudes Of Lakota People Toward Wind Cave National Park, Adam Rossi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Wind Cave National Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, has a long and complex history concerning local indigenous peoples, including the Lakotas. Wind Cave is the location of the Lakotas' traditional origin story, and is now protected by a park that represents a federal government that many indigenous peoples of this country view negatively. Despite this, no study has attempted to characterize attitudes of local indigenous people towards the park. Recommendations from an earlier study encourage the park to collaborate closely with local indigenous tribes, and it would be beneficial for the park to have an understanding …

Effect Of The Cpap-Saver Intervention On Adherence Among Adults With Newly Diagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea, April L. Shapiro

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 25 million adults in the United States. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice, but adherence is poor. Many previous CPAP adherence interventions were not theory based, tended to impose time and cost burden, and did not focus on OSA airway-brain mechanism education or OSA-CPAP performance feedback. A new, multidimensional intervention, known as CPAP-SAVER, was developed, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), knowledge of CPAP facilitators and barriers, characteristics of CPAP adherers and nonadherers, and behavior change techniques. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of …

Cardiac And Mitochondrial Dysfunction During Diabetes Mellitus: Examination Of Mitochondrial Import Mechanisms, Danielle Lee Shepherd

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Approximately 9% of the United States population is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM), which is comprised of 2 distinct pathologies: type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T1DM, which is caused by insufficient insulin production, affects approximately 5% of diabetic patients, while T2DM results from insulin resistance and affects 95% of all diabetic patients. Within diabetic patients, cardiac complications, such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The mitochondrion has been implicated as an underlying factor in the etiology and progression of the cardiac contractile deficits and cardiac failure that accompany DM. …

Fish, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Pcbs) And Natural Resource Injury, Daniel W. Sparks

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) program is authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) to pursue compensation for injury to, or destruction and loss of, natural resources. Fish are an important "natural resource" present in almost all aquatic ecosystems. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a hazardous substance and have been shown to cause harm to fish (and fish-eating animals). A series of investigations were conducted to determine if "injury" had occurred to creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) and in one study, the fish community that creek chubs were a part of, …

Clarifying Resource Dependence: A Multi-Dimensional Approach To Dependence And Autonomy In Entrepreneurial Firms, Curtis R. Sproul

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Entrepreneurial firms face dependence on other firms in the external environment to access resources critical for the development and survival of the firm. While substantial research has examined resource dependence and how firms may remedy such dependencies, the literature often fails to acknowledge key factors that can predict and explain firm behavior and outcomes in such situations. Firms are shown to enter into inter-organizational relationships in order to remedy resource dependencies, but studies typically evaluate such relationships according to their structure, rather than the resource being sought. Research also frequently ignores the role of autonomy in resource dependence. As gaining …

Implementation Of The Signs Of Suicide Prevention Program With 9th Grade Students In A Public School Setting, Jessica Tennant

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This quality improvement project examined the effectiveness of the use of the Signs of Suicide Prevention Program for educating 9th grade students. Pre-tests and post-tests were administered to twelve participating students which focused on knowledge about depression, suicide and suicide prevention. A t-test was performed to evaluate a difference in pre-test and post-test scores. A single open-ended question was included on the post-test, "Please write 2 things you could do to prevent suicide?" Results were found to be statistically significant (t(11) = 4.432, p=11), 95% confidence interval (-2.49, -0.84). The overall mean difference was -1.67. Additional descriptive data was collected …

The Treatment Of The Piano In Six Selected Chamber Works By Colombian Composers In The Twenty-First Century, Javier Camacho

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research project examines selected contemporary chamber-music works with piano by Colombian composers. It describes the different styles, techniques, pianistic elements, and pedagogical approaches present in: Rapsodia (Rhapsody) for clarinet and piano (2000) by Jorge Alejandro Salazar (b. 1978); A la Memoria de 21 Angeles (In memory of 21 Angels) for trumpet and piano (2014) by Mauricio Arias (b. 1984); Andromeda for violin and piano (2007) and Scorpius for soprano, violin and piano (2010) by Jorge Humberto Pinzon (b. 1968); Into the Silence for violin, clarinet and piano (2011) by Paola Marquez (b. 1978); and Dospianazo No. 1 (2011) by …

The Fabianization Of The British Empire: Postwar Colonial Summer Conferences And Community Development In Kenya And Uganda, 1948-1956, Joseph M. Snyder

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examines the influence of the Fabian Society on Britain's postwar colonial development regime between 1948 and 1956. This study demonstrates that a primary vehicle for the "Fabianization" of the British Empire was the Cambridge Summer Conference series, particularly the conference convened in 1948. Held on the "Encouragement of Initiative in African Society", the conference devised a policy framework of community development based on a model of mass education long-favored by Arthur Creech Jones, former chair of the Fabian Colonial Bureau (FCB) and then Secretary of State for the Colonies.;While the findings of this study attest that Fabian influence …

Flexible Polymer-Ceramic Composite Materials For High Sensitive Pressure Sensing Applications In Harsh Environments, Kavin Sivaneri Varadharajan Idhaiam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Robotics aligned with completing physical activities in the space environments will require a new suit of solid-state sensors that are versatile and robust, and will provide precise information about contact events with various space assets. One of the vital sensing mechanisms is the "feel-of-touch" or "tactile/haptic" feedback to the robotic system. Current robotics tactile/force sensor use mechanical switches for the feedback to determine whether the end-effector is in contact, which does not provide sufficient information regarding the local force and point-of-contact for the robotic end-effector. To tackle these challenges, the current work focusses on the development of flexible tactile sensor …

Naval Diplomacy And The Making Of An Unwritten Alliance: United States-Brazilian Naval Relations, 1893-1930, Karina Faria Garcia Esposito

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores U.S.-Brazilian relations through the prism of naval diplomacy between 1893 and 1930. Broadly, this dissertation explains the growth of U.S. naval involvement in Brazil, emphasizing the motives of Brazilian and American policymakers, and the role of naval officers in strengthening bilateral relations. This study begins by examining the Brazilian Navy Revolt of 1893-94, contextualizing it within the formative years of the Brazilian Republic, while discussing U.S. naval intervention in the conflict. It then explores U.S.-Brazilian naval relations in the early twentieth century, explaining the growing association between the two countries' navies after the turn of the century. …

The Relationship Between Father Involvement And Paternal Emotion Socialization, Kayla E. Forshee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between father involvement and emotion socialization. Fathers amount of time and quality of paternal involvement (e.g., engagement in childcare activities, secondary activities, and time spent in children's company) with their preschool aged children was assessed to determine if it influenced how fathers respond to the children's emotion (e.g., disappointment, anger, and anxiety). Heterosexual fathers (M = 39.46 yrs.) of children ages 3-5 years old were recruited from preschools and daycares in the larger metropolitan, D.C. area. Paternal self-report measures were used to measure father's involvement and their socialization strategies. Results …

Techno-Economic Studies Of Coal-Biomass To Liquids (Cbtl) Plants With Co2 Capture And Storage (Ccs), Yuan Jiang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Due to insecurity in the crude oil supply and global warming, various alternative technologies for fuel production are being investigated. In this project, indirect, direct, and hybrid liquefaction routes are investigated for production of transportation fuels from coal and biomass. Indirect coal liquefaction (ICL) and direct coal liquefaction (DCL) technologies are commercially available, but both processes are plagued with high carbon footprint. Furthermore, significant amount of hydrogen is required in the DCL process leading not only to higher cost but resulting in considerable amount of CO2 production. Addition of biomass and application of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are …

Information Centric Strategies For Scalable Data Transport In Cyber Physical Systems (Cpss), Ajay Krishna Teja Kavuri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) represent the next generation of computing that is ubiquitous, wireless and intelligent. These networked sens- ing systems are at the intersection of sensing, communication, control, and computing [16]. Such systems will have applications in numerous elds such as vehicular systems and transportation, medical and health care systems, smart homes and buildings, etc. The proliferation of such sensing systems will trigger an exponential increase in the computational devices that exchange data over existing network infrastructure.;Transporting data at scale in such systems is a challenge [21] mainly due to the underlying network infrastructure which is still resource con- strained …

Charge Transfer Dissociation Mass Spectrometry Of Biomolecules, Pengfei Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent advances in many biological disciplines are closely related to the development and application of new mass spectrometry techniques. The investigation of gas-phase ion activation techniques is one of the active research fields. Although researchers have developed a variety of ion activation techniques, they all suffer from certain intrinsic limitations---either limited in the types of fragment ions, or limited by the inefficiency with low charge-state precursor ions. Most of the ion activation techniques are not commercially available, and are at their developing stages.;As an attempt to explore new possibilities of fragmenting a gas-phase ion, charge transfer dissociation (CTD) was developed …

A Work Flow And Evaluation Of Using Unmanned Aerial Systems For Deriving Forest Stand Characteristics In Mixed Hardwoods Of West Virginia, Henry Liebermann

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Forest inventory information is a principle driver for forest management decisions. Information gathered through these inventories provides a summary of the condition of forested stands. The method by which remote sensing aids land managers is changing rapidly. Imagery produced from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) offer high temporal and spatial resolutions and have added another approach to small-scale forest management. UAS imagery is less expensive and easier to coordinate to meet project needs compared to traditional manned aerial imagery. This study focused on producing an efficient and approachable work flow for producing forest stand board foot volume estimates from UAS imagery …

Taiwanese Composer Tyzen Hsiao: Pedagogical Aspects Of Selected Piano Solo Works, Tzu-Nung Lin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research project examines selected piano works by Taiwanese composer Tyzen Hsiao, who was born in 1938 and passed away in February, 2015. While Hsiao's music reveals influences from several different cultures, his main focus was the music of Taiwan, even though he decided to leave his homeland for the United States and was unable to return for more than 18 years because of volatile political issues within Taiwan. In his works, he uses the materials and compositional techniques of the 19th and 20th centuries, along with pentatonic scales and church styles; frequently, he also includes Taiwanese folk elements in …

Analysis Of The Production Data From Marcellus Shale Wells, Amanda Parrish

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The increasingly prevalent practice of unconventional technologies has called for the need for the critical analysis of production decline rates to meet economic targets. The high early time production returns and transient flow make matching a production curve to known methods of decline curve analysis problematic.

This research focuses on finding a technique that best fits a known production curve and then applying that technique to another well to check its accuracy. The goal is to find the earliest time of production data necessary to predict an accurate production curve over the lifespan of the well. This is essential to …

College Students' Sleep Quality, Yahya Ahmed Alamir

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Poor sleep quality among college students increases the risk for lower grade point averages, compromised learning, impaired mood, and motor vehicle accidents; and associated with several unhealthy behaviors and outcomes including substances /drugs use (alcohol and medications), and weight gain. Therefore, we assessed college sleep quality in relation to the NMUPD and BMI among a large sample of college students using the fall 2010-spring 2011 national survey data (American College Health Association - National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA)). In addition, we used theoretical model integrating HBM perception constructs and behavioral intention to describe and predict college students' sleep quality among …