Digital Commons Network^™

Adsorption Of Organic Pollutants Onto Natural Adsorbents, Arun Subramani

Theses and Dissertations

In this research, the adsorptive capacities of kenaf, peat moss, hay, and peanut hulls were evaluated for the removal of TNT and 2,4-DCP from aqueous solutions. Adsorbent loading capacities determined by batch studies were verified by continuous column experiments. It was found that the adsorption capacity of the candidate adsorbents were significantly lower than granular activated carbon (GAC). The impact of surface modification techniques, such as surface oxidation, were evaluated to study the effect on adsorption capacity. At lower equilibrium concentrations of the adsorbate (less than 10 ppb), surface oxidation by ozone showed an increase in the adsorption capacity. The …

Integration Of Zero-Valent Metals And Chemical Oxidation For The Destruction Of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Within Aqueous Matrices, Rafael Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Defense (DoD) has numerous sites that contain groundwater contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The currently applied technologies for treating TNT contaminated waters are carbon adsorption and chemical oxidation. Carbon adsorption is a non-destructive technology, which could create future liability issues and is inefficient at relatively low TNT concentrations. On the other hand, application of chemical oxidation for the treatment of TNT contaminated water generates trinitrobenzene (TNB), a by-product of the incomplete oxidation of TNT. TNB is regulated as strictly as TNT. Additionally, over 70% of the reactor required treatment time for meeting target levels is due solely for …

Power Scaling Feasibility Of Chromium-Doped Ii-Vi Laser Sources And The Demonstration Of A Chromium-Doped Zinc Selenide Face-Cooled Disk Laser, Jason B. Mckay

Theses and Dissertations

Tunable lasers in the 2-4 µm wavelength range are needed for Air Force sensor applications. Chromium-doped II-VI materials are a promising class of laser material for tunable operation in this wavelength range, but until recently had not produced enough output power to meet application requirements. This dissertation investigates Cr²⁺:II-VI material properties and potential laser designs, then experimentally demonstrates and analyzes the performance of a Cr²⁺:ZnSe disk laser design that can produce sufficient output power. Cr²⁺:II-VI laser materials are found to be susceptible to overheating and thermal lensing, but are otherwise satisfactory laser materials. The …

The Antecedents And Consequences Of Body Image Dissatisfaction: A Structural Modeling Analysis And A Controlled Laboratory Task, Dana M. Borowiak

Theses and Dissertations

Recent covariance structural equation modeling investigations have begun to examine factors thought to play a role in body image dissatisfaction and eating disturbance (Thompson et al., 1999). The current investigation extended this line of research using structural equation modeling to examine a tripartite model of body image dissatisfaction. Female participants (N = 200) completed an informed consent, the Survey of Background Information, the Body Comparison Scale, the Restraint Scale, the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Body Esteem Scale-Revised, the Inventory of Peer Influence on Eating Concerns, the Perception of Teasing Scale, the Eating Disorders Inventory, the Parent Involvement Scale, the …

Transfer Trauma Following A Community Evacuation Of The Institutionalized Elderly, Marlys J. Bratteli

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of evacuation on the institutionalized elderly following the 1996–97 Greater Grand Forks flood. Older adults, living in two long-term care facilities, were evacuated to temporary shelters. Later moved to other long-term care facilities or to the homes of family members, they experienced multiple moves. In order to learn what impact the evacuation had on the institutionalized elderly, two major questions were studied. These were: (1) What were the experiences of the institutionalized elderly during the evacuation? (2) What were the coping strategies used by the institutionalized elderly?

Data were gathered using triangulation: interviews, observation and …

Between Fiction And Documentary: Dangerous Liaisons And The Self-Reflexive Film, Jennifer J. Bottinelli

Theses and Dissertations

As the two primary modes of filmic representation, fiction and documentary have long been separated by their distinct associations with subjectivity and objectivity respectively. Documentary film, with its ties to lived reality, has been especially hampered by a too direct connection with objectivity. Regarding the documentary film's representation of actuality, there is a tendency for the authority behind the construction of the documentary image to go unexplored and unquestioned when the documentary subject is thought to be objectively represented. Neither fiction nor documentary image are likely to be destabilized when each mode neglects to recognize its connection to an alternative …

Wisc-Iii Performance Patterning Differences Between Native American And Caucasian Children, Teton W. Ducheneaux

Theses and Dissertations

Native American children are sometimes inappropriately assessed, diagnosed, and labeled using Western European standardized intelligence measurements. The use of these measures with Native American children leads to questions regarding appropriate placement issues. Many clinicians are unfamiliar with these unique cultural differences. Some studies suggest the possibility of a “Native American Pattern” on the Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (McShane & Plas, 1982). Mishra (1982) also found cultural bias with Information, Similarities, and Vocabulary subtests on the WISC-R when comparing Anglo and Navajo children with matching Full Scale IQ's. The present study investigated the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III; Wechsler, …

The Disinhibition Effect: An Experiment Using Chat Technology With Sixty Sixth Graders, Jeremy J. Sims

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Developmentally Appropriate Experience In Art With Young Children, Evangeline N. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Development And Design Of Constant-Force Mechanisms, Brent Lewis Weight

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis adds to the knowledge base of constant-force mechanisms (CFMs). It begins by reviewing past work done in the area of CFMs and then develops new nondimensionalized parameters that are used to simplify the calculations required to design a CFM. Comparison techniques are then developed that utilize these non-dimensionalized parameters to compare mechanisms based on stiffnesses, percent constant-force, actual lengths, normal displacements, and feasible design orientations. These comparison techniques are then combined with optimization to define new mechanisms with improved performance and range of capabilities. This thesis also outlines a design process, methods to identify mechanisms that are suitable …

Screening Lytic Phage Display Libraries For Proteins Which Interact With Camp -Dependent Protein Kinase Regulatory Subunit Type I-Alpha., Robert A. Blanco

Theses and Dissertations

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is an essential signaling element involved in the regulation and modulation of cardiac function. It is an integral part of several signaling pathways. Evidence is mounting showing the necessity for subcellular localization of PKA regulatory subunits (R) for linking effector to response. Colocalization of PKA with specific substrates streamlines signaling while maintaining agonist specificity. Discerning which PKA actions require type-specific localization and how localization is effected is important for a better understanding o f the multiple roles PKA plays in the heart. RII is localized through interaction o f its dimerization domain with A kinase …

Protein -Protein Interactions Between Aldolase, Lactate Dehydrogenase And The Cytoskeleton Using Green Fluorescent Protein-Labeled Enzymes., Karl Alexander Wald

Theses and Dissertations

Interactions between the glycolytic enzymes lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) and aldolase and F-actin o f the cytoskeleton were studied by constructing enzyme/GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion proteins and measuring the interactions via in vitro co-precipitation analysis and in vivo localization analysis using fluorescent and confocal microscopy. Primers were used to isolate the genes o f LDHA, LDHB and aldolase from human muscle and heart cDNA libraries by PCR. GFP-fusion proteins were designed in N-terminal and C-terminal directions. GFPfusion proteins containing the 10-terminal amino acids from both the N and C terminus o f these enzymes were …

Electromagnetic Scattering From A Gap In A Magneto-Dielectric Coating On An Infinite Ground Plane, George R. Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

The electromagnetic scattering from a gap in a magneto-dielectric coating on an infinite ground plane is analyzed. In this context, the gap forms a break only in the magneto-dielectric slab coating while the ground plane is continuous and unbroken. Volume equivalence is used to convert the gap region to one containing unknown volumetric equivalent electric and magnetic currents. The equivalent problem then is one of these currents radiating in the presence of an unbroken grounded magneto-dielectric slab. A Green's function for this geometry is developed consisting of two terms: a direct coupling term and correction term to account for the …

The Memory And The Legacy: The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade -- The Young Company 1974-2001, Ruth Ann Lay

Theses and Dissertations

The Memory and The Legacy: The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade - The Young Company 1974-2001, is a history of the children's theatre of Brigham Young University. The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade - The Young Company acts as a training ground for graduate students working in theatre for young audiences. Then directing a production for The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade - The Young Company, students are instructed to perform all functions required of a professional company. As the The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade - The Young Company (WWB-TYC) spends much of its performance time on tour, those responsibilities are relegated to the students. Developed and …

Minor League Basketball Organizations: Making Them Work, Derek Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Minor league basketball organizations have wilted under the competition's spotlight. These leagues tried to present fans with an entertaining alternative to professional sports.

Minor league basketball's efforts to entertain fans have been unsuccessful. This study examines why these organizations have not succeeded. Through interviews, research and survey results potential solutions have been discovered.

Eighty surveys were distributed to teams and executives from basketball organizations. The surveys obtained information on ticket prices, attendance and reasons why minor league basketball has struggled.

The study revealed that minor league basketball suffers from a lack of leadership, fan interest and financial stability. Suggestions were …

Elia Kazan Controversy: Past, Present And Future, Linda M. Diangelo

Theses and Dissertations

The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences awarded Elia Kazan a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the film industry at the 1999 Academy Awards ceremony. He received the award but amongst much controversy. Whether or not he deserved the Oscar has been debated, but the answer to that question is not the larger goal of this study. The purpose of this study is to examine what Elia Kazan's testimony to the House on Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) meant to Americans and the entertainment industry in the 1950s and in present times, and to determine what these meanings may …

A Study Of The Continuing Library Education Patterns Of Public Librarians In New Jersey, Mathew J. Freund

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this study were to (a) ascertain the strengths and weakness of the continuing library education practices of New Jersey public librarians; (b) determine the frequency of continuing library education of New Jersey public librarians; (c) determine if certain types of librarians participate in continuing library education at higher frequencies; (d) determine which continuing library education topics are participated in most frequently and which continuing library education topics need to be addressed; and (e) ascertain which agencies are offering these continuing library education experiences for New Jersey public librarians.

The population of the study consisted of all public …

Legislating Citizenship In The United States: The Impact Of State Building On Woman Sufferage Legislation, 1848-1918, Eric C. Dahlin

Theses and Dissertations

This is a state-level analysis of the impact of state building on woman suffrage legislation in the United States. This study examines all states in which state legislatures were conferred the power to submit a constitutional amendment to the electorate for approval. I use a sequential random-effects logistic regression model to estimate the effects of state building on legislative outcome. Legislative outcome is measured in three stages: whether or not a bill is introduced in either the House or the Senate during a legislative session, whether or not a bill is voted on in either the House or the Senate …

A Web-Based High Performance Simulation System For Transport And Retention Of Dissolved Contaminants In Soils, Honghai Zeng

Theses and Dissertations

Groundwater, the major source of human drinking water, is susceptible to contamination from industrial and agricultural activities. This research develops a web-based simulation system of remote high performance computing model for contaminant transport and retention in soils. A three-dimensional advection-dispersion-reaction MRTM model, based on previous experimental and theoretical studies, is proposed to analyze the transport and retention of chemical contaminants in groundwater flowing through soils. Since three-dimensional experiments are difficult to implement and verify, this simulation system provides scientists an alternative to trace the contaminant movement in soils outside laboratories. The alternating direction implicit (ADI) algorithm is used in this …

A Device For Imposing Uniform, Cyclic Strain To Cells Growing On Implant Alloys, Larry Chad Winter

Theses and Dissertations

Since bone tissues grow in intimate contact with implant surfaces in vivo, there is a need to investigate how bone cells respond to mechanical loads adjacent to implants under well characterized loading conditions that stimulate the bone-implant surface. Thus, the objective of this study was to demonstrate an effective means for applying known, uniform, cyclic strain to cells growing on implant materials in vitro. A cell culture strain plate device was developed based on the application of the four-point bending principle. The device uses a small electric motor to drive belts attached to shafts which turn a set of cams. …

Distribution And Morphology Of Bacteria And Their Byproducts In Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery Operations, Sarah Elizabeth Fratesi

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the occurrence of bacteria and their exopolysaccharide slime layer in microbial enhanced oil recovery experiments. A test of SEM preservation techniques showed that air drying and 10% glutaraldehyde fixation preserved the slime layer but distorted and flattened bacteria. Techniques with ethanol dehydration preserved the bacterial textures but fragmented the slime layer. In sandstones that had been plugged during microbial enhanced oil recovery experiments, bacteria are sparsely distributed. An irregular, confluent slime sheet covers grains and coats pore spaces and is responsible for permeability modification in microbial enhanced oil recovery. The development …

An Aminopeptidase Acting As A Potential Factor In Host Adaptation Of Mycoplasma Gallinarum, Xiufeng Wan

Theses and Dissertations

Unlike most other host-specific mycoplasmas, Mycoplasma gallinarum exists as a commensal with a host range including most poultry as well as some mammals. This property of M. gallinarum may reflect unique mechanisms for its colonization and persistence in hosts. Whereas M. gallinarum shows leucine and arginine aminopeptidase activity, the genes encoding the enzymes had not been cloned and characterized. We identified an aminopeptidase gene (APN) by oligonucleotide hybridization to a genomic library of M. gallinarum in lambda ZAPII bacteriophage. Nucleotide sequence analysis of overlapping phage clones identified a 1,362 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a putative leucine aminopeptidase gene. …

Photoresist Development On Sic And Its Use As An Etch Mask For Sic Plasma Etch, Ritwik Mishra

Theses and Dissertations

Photoresist is a light sensitive material whose physical and chemical properties change when exposed to light. Photoresist makes it possible to transfer the image of a circuit pattern directly onto a substrate. The first part of this work deals with developing a photo process using AZ 1518 and AZ P4330 positive resists on SiC substrate. The aim was to determine the optimal spin parameters, softbake time, and exposure time for these resists matching their thickness. AZ 1518 process was developed for a 1.76 um thickness and AZ P4330 for 4.3 um thickness. With the parameters obtained the resist had about …

Modification Of All-Hexadedral Finite Element Meshes By Dual Sheet Insertion And Extraction, Michael J. Borden

Theses and Dissertations

The development of algorithms that effectively modify all-hexahedral finite element mesh is currently an active area of research. Mesh modification can be used to improve mesh quality reduce the time required to mesh a model, and improve the finite element analysis results. However, general modification of all-hexahedral meshes has proven difficult because of the global effects of local modifications. This thesis explains the global constraints on modifying all-hexahedral meshes and then presents three mesh modification techniques that make it possible to do local modifications while accounting for the global effects. These techniques are sheet insertion, sheet extraction, and mesh cutting. …

A Formal Method To Analyze Framework-Based Software, Trent N. Larson

Theses and Dissertations

Software systems are frequently designed using abstractions that make software verification tractable. Specifically, by choosing meaningful, formal abstractions for interfaces and then designing according to those interfaces, one can verify entire systems according to behavioral predicates. While impractical for systems in general, framework-based software architectures are a type of system for which formal analysis can be beneficial and practical over the life of the system. We present a method to formally analyze behavioral properties of framework-based software with higher-order logic and then demonstrate its utility for a significant, modern system.

Differences In Levels Of Sports Team Identification And Sports Fan Motivation Among American Indian And Caucasian University Of North Dakota Students, Tami Jollie-Trottier

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to measure the level of spectator identification and fan motivation among University of North Dakota (UND) students. Participants consisted of 57 Northern Plains American Indian students and 90 Caucasian students. Participants completed the Sports Spectator Identification Scale (SSIS) and the Sports Fan Motivation Scale (SFMS). It was predicted that Caucasian students would report higher levels of spectator identification with UND "Fighting Sioux" athletic teams than would American Indian students. It was further hypothesized Caucasian students would be more likely to contest changing the "Fighting Sioux" nickname and logo. It was also predicted that motivation …

A Study Of Relevant Professional Development And Inquiry Oriented Teaching Practices In The Science Classroom, Dale E. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Principal: Roles And Priorities, John Doppler

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Design And Implementation Of An Online Database Panel, Frenny Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

There is a growing need for administrative panels such as the one described in this project. More and more website administrators wish to make changes to their online business without having to directly modify the database file. This project provides the perfect solution for this scenario by placing all database access on the World Wide Web. Administrators can now use this software to add, edit, and delete tables, fields, and records. Additionally, users will be able to generate queries without knowledge of Structured Query Language. This project acts as a summary of my computer science education at this university by …

The Public Librarian's Role In Teaching Information Literacy, Elizabeth A. Battelini

Theses and Dissertations

To determine the public librarian's role in teaching information literacy, this study was designed to evaluate library skills of the adult population in Cumberland County, New Jersey. Two separate surveys consisting of matrix and open-ended questions were sent to reference librarians employed in public libraries within the county and to 380 adult residents. Ten out of 18 librarians participated. One hundred and eighty-five resident surveys were returned. Sixty-seven participants were library users.

The research revealed there is a need for library instruction but patrons may not be interested in attending formal instruction at their public libraries. Twenty-one percent of adults …