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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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A Simulated Annealing Approach For Flexible Flowshop Scheduling To Maximize Flexibility., Alireza Shieh Jan 2004

A Simulated Annealing Approach For Flexible Flowshop Scheduling To Maximize Flexibility., Alireza Shieh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research addresses the multiple stage flexible flow shop with buffer limitation in order to maximize the sum of machines free time at the end of the process within the minimum makespan (FFs (Pm1, Pm2, ..., Pms)/block/ FL max ). Various approaches were used to obtain good solutions for the problem and an analysis was preformed to evaluate the quality obtained with each approach. An exact algorithm with two separate phases was developed using mixed integer programming. In the first phase, C max is minimized, then in the second phase, the machines free time is maximized. This model had a …

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A General Method For Genome Search And Discovery., Yue Jiang Jan 2004

A General Method For Genome Search And Discovery., Yue Jiang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The increasing amount of easily available genomic data has heightened the importance of computational tools in the analysis genome databases, especially the human genome. In this study, we develop a new methodology based on the suffix tree data structure to identify unknown targets of gene families. We use the identification of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) as a model system. HIF-1 is important in human normal physiological functions and in many human diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. We selected 17 known HIF-1 target gene sequences as a training set. We use the suffix tree data structure to extract a …

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The Land Systems Of Colonial America: European And Native American Land Tenure Issues In The Colonial Eras Of The Americas., Shane Freeman Jan 2004

The Land Systems Of Colonial America: European And Native American Land Tenure Issues In The Colonial Eras Of The Americas., Shane Freeman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis is a comparative analysis of the transference of land tenure and land claims in the colonial age of the Americas. The time frame for this work begins in 1521 with Cortes’ entrada in Mexico and ends with the formation of the United States Indian Policy concerning land. The critical analysis is concerned with the ability of Native Americans to maintain there sovereignty over land and the methods that Europeans used to effect colonization. As well as the legal and political rights that were given or retained by Native American societies. The history of the colonial Americas, here, includes …

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The Impact Of A Social Skills Intervention On The Development Of Resiliency In Preschool Children., Tamala L. Lowther Jan 2004

The Impact Of A Social Skills Intervention On The Development Of Resiliency In Preschool Children., Tamala L. Lowther

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Children need to learn appropriate behavior in their early years. Educators of young children have been given the job of importing very important social competency skills, such as coping, problem solving, cooperation, and self-control skills. Interventions designed to meet the developmental level and individual needs of the children enrolled in a preschool should build factors that will lead to increased social skills and resiliency. This research involved implementing social skill prevention in a preschool classroom in a non-profit childcare center in rural West Virginia. The research examined the effectiveness of the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA), in increasing protective factors …

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The Effects Of Positive And Negative Framing On Seven American Newspapers During The Persian Gulf War In 1991 And The Iraq War In 2003., Davin T. White Jan 2004

The Effects Of Positive And Negative Framing On Seven American Newspapers During The Persian Gulf War In 1991 And The Iraq War In 2003., Davin T. White

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study evaluates the positive and negative aspects of major American newspaper coverage of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the war in Iraq in 2003. Embedded coverage in 2003 was presumed to generate more positive coverage than under the press pool system in 1991. However, both the overall coverage of six newspapers in 1991 and six in 2003 were framed positively toward the American missions. When comparing means of positive and negative coverage among the newspapers, no significant differences in overall coverage were found. The coverage of the Persian Gulf War, however, was slightly more positive. There was …

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A Dual-Stage Approach To Dental Image Registration., Zainab Millwala Jan 2004

A Dual-Stage Approach To Dental Image Registration., Zainab Millwala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the development of Automated Dental Identification System (ADIS), we focus on registration to align the subject dental regions of interest with respective reference regions. With the goal to achieve high performance for dental image registration, a dualstage approach is proposed which is based on the hypotheses generation-verification paradigm. The registration of the dental regions of interest is the basis for hypotheses generation. The hypotheses generated by using a fast method are verified to retrieve the candidate parameter sets to give accurate alignment of the regions. The statistical distributions of local geometric properties of image contours constitute the essential concept …

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The Impact Of Stimulation On Production Decline Type Curves For Cbm Wells., Manuel Arturo Sanchez Jan 2004

The Impact Of Stimulation On Production Decline Type Curves For Cbm Wells., Manuel Arturo Sanchez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coalbed methane (CBM) is considered an unconventional gas resource produced from coal seams usually with low permeability at shallow depths. Analyzing the production performance in CBM reservoirs is challenging, especially at the early stage of the recovery. Most of the small producers in the Appalachian Basin cannot afford personnel or meet economical requirements involved in the use of the numerical simulator to evaluate CBM reservoirs. Production type curve are useful tool for predicting the performance of CBM reservoirs. A set of type curves have been previously developed for unstimulated vertical wells in CBM reservoirs. Most of the CBM wells drilled …

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Energy Analysis, Diagnostics And Conservation In Semiconductor Manufacturing., Yogesh Mukesh Mardikar Jan 2004

Energy Analysis, Diagnostics And Conservation In Semiconductor Manufacturing., Yogesh Mukesh Mardikar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Semiconductor industry accounts for 1.3% - 2% of the total US electricity consumption in the manufacturing sector. Energy in the form of electricity is required to operate the manufacturing process equipment, maintain the clean room conditions, and operate equipment such as Heating Ventilation and Air conditioning (HVAC) units, and Chillers. The process equipment accounts for 40% of the operating costs in a semiconductor fabrication unit [8]. Since a significant amount of energy is used by the manufacturing process, it becomes necessary to determine process parameters which govern energy. A computer based interactive model referred to as Semiconductor Energy Calculation Program …

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A Parametric Study Of In-Line Filter Holders., Glen A. Wilt Jan 2004

A Parametric Study Of In-Line Filter Holders., Glen A. Wilt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

With modern diesel engines producing smaller and lighter particulate mass output, the performance of in-line filtering, used to determine emissions of particulate matter (PM), has become less understood. Several factors including filter characteristics, filter holder geometry, exhaust dilution, filter face temperature, and secondary dilution characteristics need to be investigated. This study investigates factors influenced by filter holder geometry. In the past, many loosely designed filter holders were applied to emissions testing. Recently, 40 CFR Part 1065 recommended a standard filter holder design to be used in all emissions tests. However, it is not known if this design is optimal. To …

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The Influence Of Legal Language Upon Supreme Court Voting In Civil Liberties Cases., Sean Wilson Jan 2004

The Influence Of Legal Language Upon Supreme Court Voting In Civil Liberties Cases., Sean Wilson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Scholars such as Jeffrey Segal and Harold Spaeth contend that U.S. Supreme Court decisions are based primarily upon the ideological beliefs of the justices. However, in this work I show that this conclusion is exaggerated. The aggregation of votes into a summary statistic (the percent liberal rating) and its use by Segal and Spaeth in a regression having only 21 cases creates misleading results. The truth is that political ideology is a fluctuating influence upon the Court. In some areas of civil liberties voting, ideology is a poor explanation of how cases are decided (e.g., core political speech). But in …

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A Spatial-Temporal Optimization Approach To Watershed Management: Amd Treatment In The Cheat River Watershed, West Virginia., Xiaobing Zhao Jan 2004

A Spatial-Temporal Optimization Approach To Watershed Management: Amd Treatment In The Cheat River Watershed, West Virginia., Xiaobing Zhao

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Most water management studies concentrate on the inter-temporal allocation problem or, more recently, spatial dynamics—but not both. While early spatial-temporal studies focused on the allocation of water quantity, this paper presents an approach to water quality analysis that incorporates both spatial and temporal dynamics in a watershed framework. The model developed is an explicit economic watershed optimization model built upon an underlying water quality model where pollution loads are driven by pollution sources and alternative control strategies. It reflects the spatial aspects of pollution loads and treatment and the way the system reacts over time to management options and natural …

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Spectral Analysis And Regularity Quantification Of Skeletal Muscle Signals As A Non-Invasive Assessment Of Muscle Activity., Israel Restus Hall Jan 2004

Spectral Analysis And Regularity Quantification Of Skeletal Muscle Signals As A Non-Invasive Assessment Of Muscle Activity., Israel Restus Hall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The research presented here was carried out at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Morgantown, West Virginia. At NIOSH, there is a strong need for modes of analyzing a wealth of biomedical data. In this particular case, that data was comprised of numerous muscleinduced force-time series, derived from two groups of experimental subjects. One group was comprised of rats exposed to vibration similar to that experienced by human workers who work with certain hand-tools or equipment. The other group was a control group, not exposed …

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An Empirical Measurement Of Interpersonal Community Engagement: Implications To Youth Communication Behaviors And The Instructional Setting., Michael W. Corrigan Jan 2004

An Empirical Measurement Of Interpersonal Community Engagement: Implications To Youth Communication Behaviors And The Instructional Setting., Michael W. Corrigan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Past social science research has theorized the importance of community in the development process of youth (Bruner, 1985; Cruz, 1987; Dasen, 1977; Dewey, 1983; Patterson, 1992; Piaget, 1969; Putnam, 2000; Vygotsky, 1978). Many proponents of community believe that youth who are more integrated or engaged within one's community are more socially adapted and less likely to place apathetic attributions towards education. However, recently, few have measured quantitatively the role of one's connection to community and how it relates to the instructional setting. Therefore, this research focused on the development, validation, and the educational utility of a quantitative-based scale created to …

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Neodymium:Yag Laser Resonator Chip Design, Optical Characterization And Validation., Narasimha Rao Ayyalasomayajula Jan 2004

Neodymium:Yag Laser Resonator Chip Design, Optical Characterization And Validation., Narasimha Rao Ayyalasomayajula

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nd:YAG lasers are the most common solid state lasers and are found in many different optical configurations. Effective use of these lasers in remote, in-situ sensing and other applications requires compact size and efficient operation. This project targets the simplification and reduction of the size of these lasers by shaping the active media into a retro-reflecting slab and pumping it with an AlGaAs diode laser at 808nm. The Nd:YAG slab laser was reduced to a rectangular chip component of dimensions 10x12x2mm. The laser was constructed, tested and shown to successfully lase at 1064nm.The slab laser was operated in a pulsed …

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A Product Of Mexico: Truly Mexican Taste?, Maria E. Cazares Jan 2004

A Product Of Mexico: Truly Mexican Taste?, Maria E. Cazares

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Because people of all races, creeds and colors tend to view the world about them through their own eyes, or through the lenses of their own cultures (Fellows, 1972, p.39), it is logical to think that all kinds of visual expression differs from one culture to another, and that graphic design is not an exception. Coming from a place so rich in ancient and modern culture as is Mexico, I have been able to enjoy two very different experiences in a foreign country. On one hand, I came to the United States filled with the essence of being Mexican, and …

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Comparison Of The Sealing Ability Of Two Different Types Of Root Canal Obturation: Cold Lateral Compaction And The Continuous Wave Compaction Technique., Donald Wayne Hughart Jan 2004

Comparison Of The Sealing Ability Of Two Different Types Of Root Canal Obturation: Cold Lateral Compaction And The Continuous Wave Compaction Technique., Donald Wayne Hughart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

104 single rooted human teeth were randomly assigned to four groups, decoronated and instrumented with Gates Glidden drills, 0.06 taper ProFile files and hand files with NaOCL irrigant. Two groups were instrumented to working length with 0.06 ProFiles. Two groups were instrumented to within 1.0mm of the working length with 0.06 ProFiles and the last mm was prepared with a hand file. Two groups, one with hand filing and one without, were obturated using cold lateral compaction. Two groups were obturated using the continuous wave hybrid technique. The teeth were suspended vertically in India ink for 72 hours, cleared and …

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A Coalbed Methane Simulator Designed For The Independent Producers., Jalal Jalali Jan 2004

A Coalbed Methane Simulator Designed For The Independent Producers., Jalal Jalali

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study is to build a PC-Windows based model for two-phase onedimension water & gas system based on the formulation of the model developed by King and Ertekin in 1985. This model is written in Visual Basic 6.0. The advantage of this model over the King and Ertekin’s model is the ability of running the model on personal computers, graphical abilities for input and output, and solving the matrices using an internal solver instead of using a commercial solver. The advantage of this model over other existing models is its ease of to use and being inexpensive …

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Accuracy Of Performing Space Analysis Using Emodels And Plaster Models., S. Russell Mullen Jan 2004

Accuracy Of Performing Space Analysis Using Emodels And Plaster Models., S. Russell Mullen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of emodels when calculating a Bolton ratio. Models from 30 patients from the West Virginia University Department of Orthodontics were measured using calipers and emodels, and the time it took to do the measurements was recorded. Ball bearings were scanned into an emodel file and measured to evaluate whether any magnification was present in emodels. The difference between the two methods was calculated and a paired t-test was used to analyze the data. There was no significant difference between the Bolton ratios calculated using the two methods. There was a …

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Baselining A Compressed Air System: An Expert Systems Approach., Arul Prasad Senniappan Jan 2004

Baselining A Compressed Air System: An Expert Systems Approach., Arul Prasad Senniappan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The depletion of fossils fuels, the unstable supply of these fuels, and the phenomenal increase in energy costs emphasize the need to conserve energy. Compressed air systems are major energy consuming systems in most of industries and are known to be the most inefficient. The baselining of such systems assumes importance in energy conservation because of this. As a result, the baseline of such systems stresses the importance of energy conservation. When designing a new facility and operating an existing one, eliminating inefficiencies such as inappropriate uses, excessive system pressure, leaks and other wastages leads to energy conservation. This research …

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Using Three-Dimensional Profile Measurement And Diametric Probe Unit To Study Wearing Mechanism., Kian Huat Tan Jan 2004

Using Three-Dimensional Profile Measurement And Diametric Probe Unit To Study Wearing Mechanism., Kian Huat Tan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the last decade, many wearing test setups have been developed to study material wearing resistance. Different methods are utilized to determine the wearing rate of materials. In this research, wearing tests of 316LS specimens with tungsten carbide laser clad coating against ACD ceramic are conducted by using 500lb test bath equipment at 30% or 50% of production line tension conditions. A phase-shifting shadow moiré technique and a high precision diametric probe unit are utilized to study the wearing rate of these wearing materials. Depth (1-D), contacting area (2-D) and volume loss (3-D) wearing rate measurements are evaluated; these were …

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A Cfd Analysis Of The Download Reduction For The V-22 Osprey Wing., Chris Barnes Jan 2004

A Cfd Analysis Of The Download Reduction For The V-22 Osprey Wing., Chris Barnes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The V-22 tilt rotor aircraft experiences a download in hover mode decreasing the aircraft’s efficiency in this mode. This download is caused by the wing surface obstructing the rotor downwash. The presented research, conducted at West Virginia University (WVU) by the Center for Industrial Research Applications (CIRA), explores the reduction of this download via circulation control. Circulation control is implemented through the use of blowing slots at both the leading and trailing edges of the wing. The analysis was completed using computational fluid dynamics. The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department of West Virginia University, in conjunction with The Center for …

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Preventing The "Red Lake": United States National Security Policy In The Commonwealth Caribbean, 1962--1983., Amy R. Bradley Jan 2004

Preventing The "Red Lake": United States National Security Policy In The Commonwealth Caribbean, 1962--1983., Amy R. Bradley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis surveys the development of the Cold War U.S. national security policy in the Commonwealth Caribbean, beginning with Jamaica’s independence in 1962 through the 1983 American invasion of Grenada. The paper examines three areas deemed important to this security policy: communism, migration, and economics. The U.S. believed that the prevention of communism in the West Indies was the goal of this security policy, while the West Indies wanted solutions and aid for regional economic problems. Instead of creating a bilateral security policy to aid both sides, the U.S. dictated and controlled the policy to reflect its security needs, calling …

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A Feasibility Study On Modeling And Prediction Of Production Behavior In Naturally Fractured Shale Reservoirs., Boyd T. Huls Jan 2004

A Feasibility Study On Modeling And Prediction Of Production Behavior In Naturally Fractured Shale Reservoirs., Boyd T. Huls

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Objective of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of predicting production characteristics in a Devonian Shale reservoir. This paper discusses the use of a multidimensional, equation of state compositional simulator to develop a prototypical anisotropic shale reservoir. The production data from a group of single well simulations is used to train an Artificial Neural Network to generate production indicators for a well location based on geopositional parameters. This study was conducted to ascertain if an Artificial Neural Network could be adapted to the random uncertainty in naturally fractured shale reservoirs and whether this approach could further the understanding …

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Critical Thinking And Web-Based Education In Maryland Community Colleges: How The Medium Promotes Development., George E. Perry Jan 2004

Critical Thinking And Web-Based Education In Maryland Community Colleges: How The Medium Promotes Development., George E. Perry

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Surveys have found that employers want today's community college graduates to be able to work in teams, make decisions, and critically assess job situations. In short they want the students to think critically. Due to the changing demographics, web-based education has become a larger part of college curriculum in the past several years. This research project explored critical thinking in web-based courses offered at Maryland community colleges to determine what courses were being offered by the different academic disciplines, the methods used to promote critical thinking, and the types of critical thinking assessment used in these web-based courses. The content …

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A Comparison Of Basal Area And Merchantable Height As Auxiliary Variables For Double Sampling With Point Sampling., Wesley Wayne Bailes Jan 2004

A Comparison Of Basal Area And Merchantable Height As Auxiliary Variables For Double Sampling With Point Sampling., Wesley Wayne Bailes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Basal area per acre and the sum of the merchantable heights on “in-trees” were investigated for use as auxiliary variables in several double sampling inventories. Merchantable height has been suggested as an alternative auxiliary variable to take advantage of its higher correlation with volume and greater precision in volume estimates without a substantial increase measurement time. In addition to validating past research, this study further investigated the use of merchantable height as an auxiliary variable through double sampling simulations conducted at various first/second phase sampling ratios. When compared to inventories where board foot volume is known on every point, bias …

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Continental Bias And "The New York Times": A Content Analysis., Karina Gomes Dick Jan 2004

Continental Bias And "The New York Times": A Content Analysis., Karina Gomes Dick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The content analysis focuses on the New York Times and its international coverage. It looks at the amount of news coming from the seven continents and it shows that continents in the Western-bloc get more coverage. Stories from 26 Sunday edition International, front page and Money & Business were analyzed in 5 different categories. Results indicated that most of the news did come from Asia and North America followed by Europe, showing that there is a bias in terms of equally distribution of news among continents.

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Estructuras Paralelas En Pedro Páramo Y The Sound And The Fury, Herlinda Flores Jan 2004

Estructuras Paralelas En Pedro Páramo Y The Sound And The Fury, Herlinda Flores

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In spite of their linguistic and cultural differences, William Faulkner’s The Sound and The Fury and Juan Rulfo’s Pedro Páramo offer striking structural similarities when analyzed within the framework of Comparative Literature. Not only do both novels treat the same fundamental and universal themes, but they also, each in its own right, signify a rupture with a traditional literary form by altering considerably the modalities of the narrative syntagm. Particular economic and socio-historical circumstances led Faulkner and Rulfo to portray their own social reality through two similar narrative currents, Southern Gothic and the Simbolismo mágico, and a comparative study of …

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The Effects Of Environmental Chemicals On Glioblastoma Cell Growth., Rebecca L. Merritt Jan 2004

The Effects Of Environmental Chemicals On Glioblastoma Cell Growth., Rebecca L. Merritt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignancy known for its rapid progression. During tumor invasion, the breakdown of brain tissue releases lipid-associated foreign contaminants. This study assesses the growth response of two human glioblastoma cell lines, T98G and U138-MG, to environmental chemicals stored within the brain. Proliferative or cytotoxic responses to treatment were determined using an MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5- (3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] metabolic activity assay and morphological analysis. Although cytotoxic effects were seen in both T98G and U138-MG cells, proliferative responses occurred only in the T98G cell line. DDT, DDE, and PCB 153 were cytotoxic in both lines, while PCB 81 caused cell death …

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An Evaluation Of Statewide Truck Forecasting Methods., Andrew J. Rebovich Jan 2004

An Evaluation Of Statewide Truck Forecasting Methods., Andrew J. Rebovich

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research evaluates the theory and practice of current truck forecasting methodologies. The theoretical workings of several model classes are evaluated according to their accuracy, applicability, data requirements, costs, and other factors. A foundation of literature review is conducted to assess the state of the art and practice of classical forecasting methods that may be applied to truck volumes. These include facility traffic flow factoring methods (trend analysis); commodity-based origin-destination trip table factoring methods; truck trip tables within overall passenger flow models; commodity-based four-step forecasting models; and economic activity models. A survey of best practices for state DOT’s is then …

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A Remote Sensing And Gis Investigation Of Urban Growth And Development Patterns In The Metropolitan Region Of Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky., Marc D. Barraclough Jan 2004

A Remote Sensing And Gis Investigation Of Urban Growth And Development Patterns In The Metropolitan Region Of Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky., Marc D. Barraclough

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In 1958, Lexington, Kentucky became the first city in the nation to implement a growth management strategy that defined the spatial limits of development by restricting access to public services. Now referred to as urban growth boundaries and urban service areas, the use of these containment policies are expanding. This study examines urban growth patterns in the Lexington, Kentucky Metropolitan Region between 1974 and 2000 using remotely sensed satellite images and GIS analysis. Satellite images from 1974 and 2000 were classified into urban/built-up, undeveloped, and water classes. The classified images were then subjected to a post-classification comparison to determine undeveloped …

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