Digital Commons Network^™

Determining The Horizontal Distance Distribution Of Cloud-To-Ground Lightning, Tamara L. Parsons

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort attempted to quantify what constitutes a safe distance when lightning is present. The method used in this research project groups lightning flashes into clusters using spatial and temporal constraints. However, not all flashes meet the time and distance criteria for clustering and remained outside of tile grouped flashes and as such are identified as isolated flashes. These isolated flashes are outliers in the data set, but are precisely the flashes that prove most dangerous. For this reason not only were the distances between each flash and cluster center studied, but also the distances between each isolated flash …

Tool-Based Integration And Code Generation Of Object Models, Michael Ray Ashby

Theses and Dissertations

Today many organizations are faced with multiple large legacy data stores in different formats and the need to use data from each data store with tools based on the other data stores' formats. This thesis presents a tool-based methodology for integrating object-oriented data models with automatic generation of code. The generated code defines a global data format, generates views of global data in individual integrated data formats, and parses data from individual formats to the global formats and from the global format to the individual formats. This allows for legacy data to be translated into the global format, and all …

Extracting Mission Semantics From Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Telemetry And Flight Plans, Walter T. Berridge

Theses and Dissertations

With the acceptance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as a primary platform within the Department of Defense (DOD) for gathering intelligence data, the amount of video information being recorded, analyzed, and archived continues to grow. Mechanisms for quickly locating and retrieving video segments of interest amongst the many hours of recorded video are required to accommodate the rapid turnaround expected in today's wartime planning environments. This research demonstrates that text-based data accompanying UAV video yields sufficient information to identify and create data items that can be indexed to provide for rapid identification and retrieval of video segments of interest. Four …

Modeling The Effect Of Nonlinear And Rate-Limited Sorption On The Natural Attenuation Of Chlorinated Ethenes, Peter P. Feng

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorinated solvents like tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) are the most common detected groundwater contaminants at Department of Defense installations in the United States. Unfortunately, technologies conventionally used to remediate chlorinated solvent-contaminated groundwater often fall short of achieving regulatory goals. Natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents offers an alternative remediation strategy that may achieve goals. However, the processes involved with natural attenuation are not fully understood, and this lack of understanding has hindered acceptance of natural attenuation by regulatory agencies. This study involved use of a numerical model that incorporated the physical, chemical, and biological processes thought to be relevant to …

Global Positioning System (Gps) Error Source Prediction, Marcus G. Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations

With the initiation of the navigation accuracy prediction algorithm used to estimate the amount of GPS solution (location and time) error for receivers, the capability to accurately predict solution errors due to the major GPS error sources is growing. Although some sources of error within the GPS solution have been previously analyzed, modeled, and/or accounted for within various modeling efforts, a formal evaluation of the seven major error sources that distort GPS activity has not been officially conducted up until this point. This research offers a logical assessment of all the major GPS error sources and their definitive impact on …

In Situ Treatment Of Chlorinated Ethene-Contaminated Groundwater Using Horizontal Flow Treatment Wells, Derek R. Ferland

Theses and Dissertations

The limitations of conventional containment technologies for groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents have motivated development of innovative technologies to achieve national groundwater remediation objectives. One inn9vative technology that is currently under development involves metal reductants or catalysts to chemically destroy the dissolved chlorinated solvent. Models are important tools that can be used to help transition this technology to the field. Model studies can be used to gain understanding about the technology, help determine when the prospective technology might work for a given site, and design full-scale field applications.

A Distributed Agent Architecture For A Computer Virus Immune System, Paul K. Harmer

Theses and Dissertations

Information superiority is identified as an Air Force core competency and is recognized as a key enabler for the success of future missions. Information protection and information assurance are vital components required for achieving superiority in the Infosphere, but these goals are threatened by the exponential birth rate of new computer viruses. The increased global interconnectivity that is empowering advanced information systems is also increasing the spread of malicious code and current anti-virus solutions are quickly becoming overwhelmed by the burden of capturing and classifying new viral stains. To overcome this problem, a distributed computer virus immune system (CVIS) based …

Analysis Of The Air Force Iso 14001 Pilot Study Conducted By Dod, Rodney C. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense (DoD) conducted an ISO 14001 pilot study with the primary goal of determining how ISO 14001 could help DoD organizations reduce risks, improve compliance with environmental regulations, enhance stewardship, contain costs, and meet emerging regulatory requirements. This thesis analyzed the pilot study, specifically looking at the ISO 14001 implementation at three Air Force installations participating in the study. The research objectives were to identify factors that affect implementation of ISO 14001, compare the implementation strategies used by the bases, and develop propositions for Air Force managers to consider when implementing ISO 14001. Interviews of key personnel, …

An Object-Oriented Approach To The Modeling And Visualization Of Breast Cancer Tumors, Bruce C. Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

Great strides have been made in controlling the progression of breast cancer, but medical professionals continue to rely primarily upon traditional mammography for early detection. Enhancing breast cancer detection capabilities - and thus reducing tumor detection time - should result in a reduction in mortality rates. The detection capabilities of mammography may be enhanced through improved modeling and visualization techniques. This thesis is an extension of initial research conducted at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Previous efforts focused on developing a mathematical model for simulating the growth of cancer within unconstrained 3-dimensional space. The research also explored the behavior …

Kinetics And Mechanisms Of Macromolecular Disposition In The Rat Lung, Masahiro Sakagami

Theses and Dissertations

The kinetics and mechanisms of macromclecular absorption from the airways of the rat lung were studied in vivo and in vitro, following identical solute administration methods. The isolated perfused rat lung (IPRL) was used as an in vitro model, and the disposition of 7.4 and 4.3 kDa fluorophore-labeled polyhydroxyethylaspartamide (F-PHEA) and other small and macromolecular reference solutes was investigated across doses and in the presence of a variety of biochemical inhibitors.

Absorption profiles of F-PHEA, and the solute's lung distribution at different times after administration, were statistically identical in vivo and in vitro, showing that the IPRL possessed a viable …

Studies On The Role Creb As A Mediator Of Neurotrophin-3 Actions In Oligodendrocytes, Jamie Richard Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

In the central nervous system (CNS), oligodendrocytes (OLGs) are the cells responsible for producing the myelin membrane which allows for the saltatory conduction of neuronal impulses. We have previously shown that CREB (cAMP response element binding protein), a transcription factor that belongs to a large family bZip (basic leucine zipper) proteins, could be a mediator of neuronal signals that, coupled to different signal transduction pathways, may play different regulatory roles at specific stages of oligodendrocyte development. We have found before that, in committed OLGs, CREB activation by phosphorylation can be triggered by β-adrenergic stimulation and appears to play a role …

Acute Gaba-A Receptor Modulation By Diazepam Following Traumatic Brain Injury In The Rat: An Immunohistochemical Study, Cynthia J. Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts ionic balance and produces acute widespread depolarization. Restoration of ionic balance and neuronal function after TBI may be achieved by increasing inhibitory neurotransmission (e.g., stimulating GABA-A receptors). This study used antibodies specific for β2/3 subunits to examine changes in GABA-A receptors in the rat hippocampus 24 hours following moderate fluid percussion TBI. The β2/ 3 antibody primarily stained dendritic processes. No injury related changes were found in the CA1 but extensive morphological dendritic alterations were found in the CA3 region of the hippocampus. Analysis revealed decreased length of immunoreactive processes in CA3 apical dendrites of …

The 1997 Red River Valley Flood : Study Of The Disaster Worker, Chad Ihla

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Family Dynamics And Female Development In Two Novels By Charles Dickens, Melissa J. Brotton

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Isolated Ventricular Myocytes From Copper-Deficient Rat Hearts Exhibit Enhanced Contractile Function, Loren E. Wold

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Demographic Relationship Between Central Auditory Processing Disorder And Recurrent Otitis Media With Effusion In Children, Christina Lynn Olson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Self-Reported Teacher Job Satisfaction And Perception Of Administrative Listening Skills, John David Tackett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine the existence of a relationship between teacher self-reported job satisfaction and the perception of administrative listening skills. Thirty secondary schools were chosen from the three largest school districts in central Arkansas. Twenty-nine schools participated in the study. As defined by the Arkansas Department of Education, the term secondary includes grades seven through twelve; therefore, three levels of schools were included in the sample: high school, junior high school, and middle school. The predictor variable was administrative listening and the criterion variable was job satisfaction with supervision. Instrumentation included the Leadership Behavior Description …

Advanced Practice Analysis Of Physical Therapy In Women’S Health, Jean M. Irion

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of advanced physical therapy practitioners in women's health. The study also sought to identify patient populations/diagnoses served by advanced physical therapist practitioners in women's health. A three-round modified Delphi research technique was used to obtain consensus from a panel of experts. The panel was comprised of highly qualified physical therapists with extensive knowledge and experience in the practice area of women's health. A panel of academic experts was used to review the third-round results of the study. The panel of experts answered a survey which included …

Frontier People's Perceptions Of Health Risks And Health Protective And Health Promotional Activities, Michelle Kuntz

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Transdermal Nicotine On Prose Memory, Dmitri Poltavski

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Landscape History Of The Northwoods : Human Management Effects On The Landscape At Itasca State Park, Minnesota, Gordon Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Factors Related To Substance Abuse And Depression Among Adolescents With Selected Diagnosis, Kathryn Renee Waitman

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Frequency And Severity Of Fatigue In Multiple Sclerosis In An Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic, Kathleen Schweitzer

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Integration Of Feminist Themes In Social Work Education : A Quantitative Analysis Of Social Work Graduate Professors Teaching Values And Concepts, Faith R. Schulze

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Roles, Acceptance And Utilization Of Nurse Practitioners In Urban And Rural North Dakota, Rhonda Fay Sand

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Incidence Of Postoperative Throat Discomfort With Nitrous Oxide And Air-Oxygen Administration, Judy L. Rohl

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Intraoperative Ketorolac On Post Anesthesia Patients, Eric B. Roed

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Severity Of Pain Associated With The Administration Of Propofol In Same Day Surgery Patients, Benjamin B. Evenson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Examining The Reliability And Validity Of The Hrd Student Evaluation Instrument, Dory Marken

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Time Of Day, Aging, And Subjectively Measured Sleep Effects On Neurological Functioning Using The Weschler Memory Scale Iii, Julia R. Fitzgerald Smith

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.