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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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Measurement And Evaluation Of The Performance Of An Integral Abutment Bridge Deck, Kenneth Mcgowan May 2005

Measurement And Evaluation Of The Performance Of An Integral Abutment Bridge Deck, Kenneth Mcgowan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis is based upon the instrumentation of an integral abutment bridge, with a reinforced concrete deck on 3-span, continuous steel girders. The bridge is located in Evansville, West Virginia, at the intersection of WV Route 92 South and US Route 50 East. An instrumentation system was developed to measure the performance of the bridge, including a system of 30 crack meters installed in the deck to detect cracks, strain gages on the girders and embedded in the deck, whose readings can be utilized to determine the degree of composite action of the deck and girders, and sister bars to …

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Multi-Resolution Dental Image Registration Based On Genetic Algorithm, Mythili Ogirala May 2005

Multi-Resolution Dental Image Registration Based On Genetic Algorithm, Mythili Ogirala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Automated Dental Identification System (ADIS) is a Post Mortem Dental Identification System. This thesis presents dental image registration, required for the preprocessing steps of the image comparison component of ADIS. We proposed a multi resolution dental image registration based on genetic algorithms. The main objective of this research is to develop techniques for registration of extracted subject regions of interest with corresponding reference regions of interest.;We investigated and implemented registration using two multi resolution techniques namely image sub sampling and wavelet decomposition. Multi resolution techniques help in the reduction of search data since initial registration is carried at lower …

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Investigation Of Fabrication Process Development For Integrated Optical Grating Structures, Divya Pisharoty May 2005

Investigation Of Fabrication Process Development For Integrated Optical Grating Structures, Divya Pisharoty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sub-micron optical gratings are essential integrated elements to couple light into waveguides and for optical monitoring of microfluidic channels or MEMS devices. Since the required features in the sub-micron regime are difficult to achieve by mechanical ruling and photolithography, alternate fabrication techniques are investigated. Exposure by e-beam and laser are two direct write methods which are used. These methods preclude the need of a mask, require few processing steps, and can be used to write features of sizes desired for optical gratings. In this research, we explore and develop processes to create sub-micron gratings by both these methods. A resist …

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Anatomical Measurements Of Orthodontic And Edentulous Casts To Determine The Width Of The Maxillary Anterior Teeth, Byron A. Davis May 2005

Anatomical Measurements Of Orthodontic And Edentulous Casts To Determine The Width Of The Maxillary Anterior Teeth, Byron A. Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Without dental records of patients' teeth prior to extractions, the selection of maxillary anterior teeth for the edentulous patient is mostly subjective. Several techniques using anatomic landmarks have been suggested for determining the size of maxillary anterior teeth. The purpose of this study is to determine the accuracy of using 3 anatomical areas of the oral cavity the "right hamular notch-incisive papilla-left hamular notch (HN-IP-HN) measurement," to calculate the width from the distal of the canine to the distal of the opposite canine. 24 post-orthodontic dentulous patients and 19 edentulous patients were evaluated for maxillary anterior tooth size using the …

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Perceptions Of Mothers Labeled Adolescent Or Adult And Their Infants, Nichole L. Elliott May 2005

Perceptions Of Mothers Labeled Adolescent Or Adult And Their Infants, Nichole L. Elliott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The aim was to examine how adolescent and/or unmarried mothers and their infants are perceived. Negative appraisals by others of adolescent and/or unmarried mothers and their infants may contribute to the difficulties they encounter. Psychology students viewed videotapes of adult mothers labeled as adolescent or adult and as unmarried or married interacting with their infants. Participants were asked to rate the infants, the mothers and their interactions. Results show that there were cases in which those labeled adolescent and unmarried were seen less positively than those labeled adult and married. There were also instances of counterintuitive findings of lower ratings …

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Roughening Of Cobalt Thin Films On Sapphire (110) Upon Annealing And Superparamagnetic Behavior Of Cobalt Nanodots On Sapphire (001), Jorge Espinosa May 2005

Roughening Of Cobalt Thin Films On Sapphire (110) Upon Annealing And Superparamagnetic Behavior Of Cobalt Nanodots On Sapphire (001), Jorge Espinosa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was employed to investigate the surface roughness of 5.0 nm thick Co films as a function of the annealing temperature. Films were epitaxially grown on (110) sapphire via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and magnetron sputtering. Images were acquired in-situ at temperatures ranging between room temperature and 600°C. Surface roughening starts at 425°C and increases depending on the final annealing temperature and time. The films did not show a reversal of the roughening process upon sample cooling. Also a sub-monolayer film of Co was grown on Al2O 3 (0001) via MBE at room temperature. The film annealed …

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Levels Of Stress And Coping In Certified Athletic Training Graduate Assistants, Darya C. Feldman May 2005

Levels Of Stress And Coping In Certified Athletic Training Graduate Assistants, Darya C. Feldman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Objective. The purposes of the study were to identify the stress levels of certified athletic training graduate assistants their coping responses. Design. First design was a prospective descriptive study on stress levels and coping strategies between gender and graduate assistant status (1st or 2nd year). The second design was a 2 x 2 factorial design of graduate assistant status and gender. The dependent variables were academic, social, financial, overall stress levels and overall stress levels now compared to last year. Participants. 1,000 certified student members of the NATA were e-mailed to participate, 207 questionnaires were returned. Interventions. The questionnaire battery …

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Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction Of The Upper Mississippian Reynolds Limestone In The Central Appalachian Basin Of West Virginia, Simon L. Cole Iii May 2005

Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction Of The Upper Mississippian Reynolds Limestone In The Central Appalachian Basin Of West Virginia, Simon L. Cole Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Upper Mississippian strata in West Virginia, southern Pennsylvania, and western Maryland are predominantly composed of interbedded limestones and shales. The focus of this study, the Reynolds Limestone, is a formal member of the lower part of the Bluefield Formation, in the Mauch Chunk Group, of the Chesterian Series.;This research addresses fades changes in terms of sea level fluctuations and basinal settings during the deposition of the Reynolds Limestone. Specifically, this research consists of the measurement and description of the seven field localities and thin section analysis of carbonate units within the identified study interval.;Primary objectives were to determine the …

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Channel Development On Unreclaimed Surface Mines In The Beaver Creek Watershed, Tucker County, West Virginia, Wendy Dawn Igo May 2005

Channel Development On Unreclaimed Surface Mines In The Beaver Creek Watershed, Tucker County, West Virginia, Wendy Dawn Igo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Surface mining has impacted channels in the Beaver Creek watershed of Tucker County, West Virginia. Three streams located in areas with similar geology, topography, climate, and mining disturbances were assessed to define similarities in channel development. Soil properties, vegetation coverage, bank stability, and geomorphology were quantified to determine dominant controls on stream form and process.;Streams were unstable and readjusting as evident by inconsistent width-depth ratios, bank instabilities, variable channel gradients, knickpoints, channel incisions, and erosive channels. Dominant controls on channel form were gradient alteration, bank failures, and vegetation coverage. Six classifications of channel types were established.;Without human intervention, instabilities in …

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Mass Communication Delivery Methods Used And Possessed By Extension Agents In West Virginia, Lisa Michelle Neehouse May 2005

Mass Communication Delivery Methods Used And Possessed By Extension Agents In West Virginia, Lisa Michelle Neehouse

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of the study was to identify which mass communication methods were being utilized for delivering information to current and potential clientele by West Virginia University Extension agents. Descriptive survey research provided information regarding the frequency of use, preference of delivery method, skill rating, source of training, desire for additional training, and availability of each mass communication delivery method by West Virginia Extension agents.;The findings of the study concluded that the majority of West Virginia University Extension agents had some access to each of the mass communication delivery methods. West Virginia University Extension agents most frequently used and most …

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Use Of Conventional Tomography To Evaluate Changes In The Nasal Cavity With Rapid Palatal Expansion, Jacqueline R. Palaisa May 2005

Use Of Conventional Tomography To Evaluate Changes In The Nasal Cavity With Rapid Palatal Expansion, Jacqueline R. Palaisa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The relationship between nasal airway resistance and rapid palatal expansion remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to determine the anatomical changes within the nasal cavity following expansion using conventional tomography. Nineteen patients (ages 8--15) were included in the study. Tomograms were taken before expansion, immediately after expansion, and three months later. Areas for the left and right anterior, middle and posterior nasal cavity and total volume were calculated using computer software (AutoCAD LT 2005). Data was analyzed using paired t-tests. Significant increases in area were found in the anterior, middle and posterior nasal cavity at all time periods. …

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Enumeration Of The Generalized Catalan Numbers, Steven L. Richardson Jr. May 2005

Enumeration Of The Generalized Catalan Numbers, Steven L. Richardson Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The sequence of numbers given by the equation Cn=1n +12nn are widely known as the Catalan numbers, because they were first studied by Catalan. The ways to enumerate these numbers are similarly widely known and studied, as can be seen in Gould's catalog of Catalan numbers. Our objective is to find ways to enumerate this larger and generalized set of sequences, using multiple methods that will build on known enumerations of the Catalan numbers.

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Dynamic Response Of Plates And Buried Structures, Chee Heong Tee May 2005

Dynamic Response Of Plates And Buried Structures, Chee Heong Tee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Soil is a particulate material, which provides a unique behavior when interacting with its adjacent structure. Emphases of this study are placed on the simulation of the behavior of a target plate and a buried structure. An analytical modeling technique, explicit Finite Element Method (FEM) by ABAQUS was used to simulate the dynamic responses of the plate and buried structure: (1) a plate resting on elastic half space under impact loading; (2) buried structure under a shock impulse system.;In the first analysis, a free-drop impact system was considered to generate the dynamic loading on the plate free surface. Two FEM …

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Localized Double-Quantum Filtered Correlated Spectroscopy On 3t Mri/Mrs Scanner, Senthil Ramamurthy May 2005

Localized Double-Quantum Filtered Correlated Spectroscopy On 3t Mri/Mrs Scanner, Senthil Ramamurthy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Standard localized magnetic resonance spectroscopic sequences employ single quantum coherences for excitation and detection. This results in a complex spectra containing large number of resonances. In this thesis we have developed a novel volume localized spectroscopic technique that excites multiple quantum coherences in coupled spin clusters (metabolites) and then reconvert them into single quantum coherences for detection. This results in filtering of uncoupled resonances and also suppresses water with high efficiency. The resulting spectra is reduced in complexity due to the absence of uncoupled resonances.;The technique has been developed in volume localized mode and implemented on a 3T scanner. The …

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Multi-Agent Control And Operation Of Electric Power Distribution Systems, Amer Al-Hinai May 2005

Multi-Agent Control And Operation Of Electric Power Distribution Systems, Amer Al-Hinai

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation presents operation and control strategies for electric power distribution systems containing distributed generators. First, models of microturbines and fuel cells are developed. These dynamic models are incorporated in a power system analysis package. Second, operation of these generators in a distribution system is addressed and load following schemes are designed. The penetration of distributed generators (DGs) into the power distribution system stability becomes an issue and so the control of those DGs becomes necessary. A decentralized control structure based on conventional controllers is designed for distributed generators using a new developed optimization technique called Guided Particle Swarm Optimization. …

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Changing Religious Structures And Civil Society In Latin America: The Case Of Nicaragua, John G. Poffenbarger May 2005

Changing Religious Structures And Civil Society In Latin America: The Case Of Nicaragua, John G. Poffenbarger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Two phenomena have been ongoing in Central America over the past 30 years. The first has been a change in the dominant religious structures in the region with the growth of Evangelical Protestantism and Pentecostalism, as well as ongoing changes within the Roman Catholic Church, such as the rise and fall of Progressive Catholicism. The other major phenomenon has been the establishment of democratic regimes across the isthmus. Putnam, Inglehart, Almond & Verba, among others, assert that for a democracy to flourish a vibrant civil society must be present. These scholars, along with Huntington, Weber, and Wald et al. believe …

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Username And Password Verification Through Keystroke Dynamics, Nick Bartlow May 2005

Username And Password Verification Through Keystroke Dynamics, Nick Bartlow

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Most computer systems rely on usernames and passwords as a mechanism for access control and authentication of authorized users. These credential sets offer marginal protection to a broad scope of applications with differing levels of sensitivity. Traditional physiological biometric systems such as fingerprint, face, and iris recognition are not readily deployable in remote authentication schemes. Keystroke dynamics provide the ability to combine the ease of use of username/password schemes with the increased trustworthiness associated with biometrics. Our research extends previous work on keystroke dynamics by incorporating shift-key patterns. The system is capable of operating at various points on a traditional …

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Planning And Design Guidelines For Accommodating Non-Motorized Transportation In Suburban Office Parks, Keith B. Bryant May 2005

Planning And Design Guidelines For Accommodating Non-Motorized Transportation In Suburban Office Parks, Keith B. Bryant

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recently, there have been many publications that chronicle suburban sprawl and the associated health risks, pedestrian safety concerns, economic impacts, and transportation consequences. Sprawl can be defined as dispersed, automobile-dependent development typically found along roadways outside of urban downtown areas.;Because of the problems associated with sprawl, planning and design guidelines have been developed for certain major land uses that offer guidance on more sustainable development practices. Other guidelines address the accommodation of non-motorized transportation in land uses such as residential, commercial, and retail. However, one land use for which such guidelines have not been developed is the suburban office park. …

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Feminist And Masculine Values And Their Effects On Female Managerial Positions In Nonprofit And Corporate Public Relations, Sarah E. Thomas May 2005

Feminist And Masculine Values And Their Effects On Female Managerial Positions In Nonprofit And Corporate Public Relations, Sarah E. Thomas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the rise of executive women in public relations in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors. The focus of this study was on feminist and masculine values and their effects on female executives. A survey of 121 female executives from the corporate, nonprofit, and agency settings was conducted to analyze their views on feminist and masculine values in public relations and their effects on managerial positions. Results indicated that women who place greater value on masculine traits are more likely to obtain management positions in the corporate sector. Those who place greater value on feminist values do not …

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Analysis And Synthesis Of Iris Images, Sarvesh Makthal May 2005

Analysis And Synthesis Of Iris Images, Sarvesh Makthal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Of all the physiological traits of the human body that help in personal identification, the iris is probably the most robust and accurate. Although numerous iris recognition algorithms have been proposed, the underlying processes that define the texture of irises have not been extensively studied. In this thesis, multiple pair-wise pixel interactions have been used to describe the textural content of the iris image thereby resulting in a Markov Random Field (MRF) model for the iris image. This information is expected to be useful for the development of user-specific models for iris images, i.e. the matcher could be tuned to …

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How West Virginia Daily Newspapers Handle Errors And Corrections, Lindsay E. Altobello May 2005

How West Virginia Daily Newspapers Handle Errors And Corrections, Lindsay E. Altobello

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Media credibility and accuracy has been a topic of debate in the field of journalism for many years. This study examines the types of errors that occur most often within West Virginia's daily newspapers; how these publications handle errors and corrections, and the placement of corrections and clarifications within the newspapers. This study uses mixed-methods research to find its results. Corrections and clarifications gathered over a 60-day time period were analyzed for the type of error corrected as well as if the error was attributed. Newspaper editors were surveyed about how their publications handle corrections and their perceptions of the …

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Finite-Element Modeling Of A Composite Bridge Deck, Suraj Suraj May 2005

Finite-Element Modeling Of A Composite Bridge Deck, Suraj Suraj

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials are being widely used for structural applications, an example being bridge decks. In this study a finite-element model using the software ANSYS is developed for an 8&inches;-thick low-profile FRP bridge deck (Prodeck 8) made of E-glass fiber and Polyester resin. The bridge deck is subjected to a patch load at the center and the finite-element results obtained in the form of deflections, strains, and equivalent flexural rigidity are compared with experimental results. A good correlation is found to exist between the finite-element results and the experimental results. A failure analysis, based on maximum stress, maximum …

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Schemas, Jennifer G. Yerdon May 2005

Schemas, Jennifer G. Yerdon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The work included in my MFA thesis exhibition entitled Schemas, represent the relationship that objects have to the body via perception. They become a map of understanding that is at once the object and the experience of that things objectness. Strategically composed this experience is translated into texture, color, and pattern. In this thesis statement I will address how we understand objects in the world and the importance of our interaction with said objects. In addition I will discuss the map like processes that I employ to create these works. I will also discuss the influential artists and writing that …

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Analysis Of Red Spruce (Picea Rubens) Regeneration In Pocahontas, Randolph, And Tucker Counties, West Virginia, Adam W. Rollins May 2005

Analysis Of Red Spruce (Picea Rubens) Regeneration In Pocahontas, Randolph, And Tucker Counties, West Virginia, Adam W. Rollins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Three red spruce communities in the Central Appalachians of West Virginia were accessed temporally over a period of 10 to 11 years and by forest zones (i.e. hardwood, ecotone, red spruce zones). These communities experienced an increasing density of red spruce over time across all forest zones. Red spruce was successfully establishing and expanding across the ecotone into the hardwood forest zone. The greatest increase of red spruce was seen in the more disturbed and earlier successional sites, whereas the less disturbed red spruce community experienced the least change. The red spruce populations in this study were thriving and increasing …

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Fingerprint Testing Protocols For Optical Sensors, Travis W. Rosiek May 2005

Fingerprint Testing Protocols For Optical Sensors, Travis W. Rosiek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Currently there is a variety of conflicting and contradictory testing protocols for biometric technologies. There is currently no biometrics testing standard, which allows vendors to skew their test results in their favor. The research discussed in this thesis aims to address these issues by developing and validating testing protocols for optical fingerprint sensors. Angle of rotation, translation, lighting, and device placement have been identified in this work as variables potentially affecting system performance and protocols were developed to evaluate their effects on optical fingerprint sensor performance. Testing was done by capturing raw images under different scenarios, then offline analysis of …

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Development Of Constant-Time Correlated Spectroscopy On A 3t Clinical Mri/Mrs Scanner, Srilatha Ainala May 2005

Development Of Constant-Time Correlated Spectroscopy On A 3t Clinical Mri/Mrs Scanner, Srilatha Ainala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is widely used both as a fundamental research technique, as well as diagnostic tool in medical research providing unique information about the metabolites. In this thesis, we report our work on the development of novel localized constant-time correlated Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic technique for resolving the overlapping metabolites and also to improve the quantification strategies. The new sequence was implemented on a GE 3T MRI/MRS scanner. The underlying spin dynamics is discussed for a two-spin ½ system with a J coupling. We demonstrate the coherence transfer to cross peaks and diagonal peaks by changing the constant time. …

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Non-Technical Skills And Traits Needed To Be Career-Ready Graduates As Perceived By Agribusiness Employers And Recruiters, Thomas H. Brand Iii May 2005

Non-Technical Skills And Traits Needed To Be Career-Ready Graduates As Perceived By Agribusiness Employers And Recruiters, Thomas H. Brand Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of the study was to determine the skills needed by students of the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences to secure employment after graduation. The population consisted of 211 agribusiness employers who have attended the College's Biannual Career Fairs. A descriptive research design was used for this study. A major finding of this study was employers rated graduates based on means as somewhat prepared or not prepared in several communication skills, business skills and business abilities. Employers also rated Davis College graduates in general to college graduates in preparation level for entry level employment. There were …

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Regional Characterization Of A Carbon Sequestration Pilot Site With Implications For Enhanced Oil Recovery, William O. Carpenter Jr. May 2005

Regional Characterization Of A Carbon Sequestration Pilot Site With Implications For Enhanced Oil Recovery, William O. Carpenter Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In 2001, the Department of Energy National Energy Technology Lab initiated a carbon sequestration pilot study in the West Pearl Queen field, located in Lea County, New Mexico. Two thousand and ninety tons of CO 2 were injected into the Permian Shattuck Sandstone Member of the Queen Formation, approximately 4,500 ft beneath the surface to evaluate the effectiveness of the reservoir for long-term sequestration of CO2 and to evaluate the possibility that CO2 can enhance oil recovery from this depleted reservoir interval.;The main objective of this study was to provide detailed structure maps in the regional study area and to …

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Characteristics Of Farmers' Market Vendors In West Virginia, Stacy M. Miller May 2005

Characteristics Of Farmers' Market Vendors In West Virginia, Stacy M. Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of farmers' market vendors in West Virginia, including products, season extension methods, promotional strategies, and sales levels, as well as to identify the obstacles and educational needs relevant to farmers' market vendors. While the majority of products produced by vendors were vegetables, it was found that products such as processed products and live plants were used to extend marketing seasons. Meat and dairy were the least represented categories. Fewer than half of the vendors reported use of any season extension techniques.;While a slight majority of vendors appeared satisfied with current length …

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Lamb And Wool Production In An Organic Farming System, Christopher Kiptanui Ruto May 2005

Lamb And Wool Production In An Organic Farming System, Christopher Kiptanui Ruto

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A study to evaluate lamb production under organic management was carried out in 2003 and 2004 at the West Virginia University Organic Research Farm. About 0.93 ha of tall fescue-orchard grass-red clover grassland was assigned to three blocks based on soil type, slope and previous treatment. Each block was divided into two main plots and assigned the following treatments: One was fertilized with compost while the other received no fertilizer. Two groups of sheep under organic management were rotationally grazed on the plots; one group on the plots with compost (high input) and the other on the plots with no …

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