Digital Commons Network^™

Popular And Highbrow Literature: A Comparative View, Peter Swirski

CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture

In his article, "Popular and Highbrow Literature: A Comparative View," Peter Swirski discusses the role and status of popular fiction in contemporary culture. Starting with the basic question, "Who needs popular fiction?," he surveys select sociological evidence and prevailing aesthetic arguments in order to take stock of the ways in which highbrow literature and popular fiction relate to each other. He begins with statistical and socio-economic data which casts a different lights on many myths prevailing in scholarship as well as in general social and cultural discourse, such as the death of the novel, the alleged decline of the reading …

A Literature Review On Methods Being Used For Hot Tearing And Shrinkage Prevention In The Permanent Mold Casting Of Aluminum Alloys, Matthew D. Nolte

Graduate Research Papers

Statement of the Problem: What can be done to eliminate the threat of hot tears and shrinkage in the production of aluminum rims?

Research Questions:

The research being carried out will use a library research or a literature review methodology. The research will provide answers to the following questions:

1. What do sources of authority cite as being the most effective ways to prevent hot tearing and shrinkage in the production of aluminum rims?

2. Is there a way to predict where hot tearing and shrinkage will occur in a casting before any castings are poured?

3. What is being …

Development Of A Method For Calculation Of Cardiac Output Using Doppler Ultrasound, Amit Diggikar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute. The Doppler effect can be used to measure cardiac output by measuring the peak frequency, which is directly proportional to the velocity of blood flowing in the aorta, associated with the Doppler shift signal when an ultrasound beam is incident on the aorta. Stroke volume is the product of the cross sectional area of the aorta and the integration of peak velocity over time. Stroke volume times the heart rate is the cardiac output. This project attempts to develop an algorithm that would automatically calculates the …

Study Of The Kalman Filter For Arrhythmia Detection With Intracardiac Electrograms, Pisut Raphisak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Third generation implantable antitachycardia devices offer tiered-therapy to reverse ventricular fibrillation (VF) by defibrillation and ventricular tachycardia (VT) by low-energy cardioversion or antitachycardia pacing. The schemes for detecting cardiac arrhythmias often realize nonpathologic tachycardia as serious arrhythmias and deliver false shocks. In this study, an arrhythmia classification technique has been developed with the use of Kalman filter applied on cyclostationary autoregressive model. This new algorithm was developed with a training set of 24 arrhythmia passages and tested on a different data set of 29 arrhythmia passages. The algorithm provides 100% detection of VF on the test set. 77.8% of VTs …

Field Analysis And Design Of A Moving Iron Linear Alternator For Use With Linear Engine, Dulpichet Rerkpreedapong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The previous research at West Virginia University has developed a permanent magnet linear alternator and linear combustion engine for testing and studying the performance. In this prototype, magnets are part of the moving part.;This research will present a new type of linear alternator with permanent magnets installed on stationary called Moving Iron Linear Alternator (MILA). MILA offers several advantages over other types such as rugged structure, and low cost production. First, MILA will be designed for use with the existing linear engine. An optimization methodology will be applied to obtain optimal design parameters. Next, a MILA model will be created …

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study Of The Stability And Conformation Of Spin-Probe Labeled Dnas, Eva Darian

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nitroxide based spin-probes, observable by ESR, have been used to study protein structure and protein-substrate interactions. More recently, spin-probe labeled DNAs have been introduced to study its structure and dynamics. Molecular modeling has proven to be an increasingly powerful tool for studying structure and dynamics of biologically interesting, molecules. As part of our work, we have conducted molecular dynamics simulations on both double-stranded (ds) and triple-stranded or triplex (tx) spin-probe labeled DNAs for comparison with unmodified ones and to design new probes. Nitroxide spin-labeled analogue of thymidine in which the methyl group is replaced by an acetylene-tethered nitroxide (T*) was …

Geophysical Investigations Of Near-Surface Mine Sites In Northern West Virginia, Peter E. Fahringer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The production of acid mine drainage (AMD) from surface and underground coal mine sites in northern West Virginia is a major environmental problem and continues to receive much attention in affected communities. Reclamation efforts at these sites often require extensive and costly treatments and are based on limited subsurface information. Use of geophysical techniques to characterize these sites, monitor remedial efforts, and provide additional subsurface information is evaluated in this study. Terrain conductivity (EM31 and EM34) grids as well as resistivity and magnetic profiles were collected at a mine spoil and two abandoned underground mine sites in northern West Virginia. …

Effects Of Turbidity On The Foraging Abilities Of Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) And Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu), John A. Sweka

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sedimentation is the major pollutant of waters in North America. Most research on the effects of increased sedimentation has focussed on its effects on stream habitat and its ramification on the reproductive potential of fish. Although relatively large sediment loads may be necessary to alter stream habitat, only small loads are needed to raise mean stream turbidity levels. Turbidity may be an important, yet relatively unexamined factor in stream fish production. With this, I sought to determine the influence of elevated turbidity on the foraging abilities of two predatory species representing both cold and warm water stream habitas, brook trout …

Multiple Data Set Integration And Gis Techniques Used To Investigate Linear Structural Controls In The Southern Powder River Basin, Wyoming, Heath Patrick Rasco

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Lineaments in the Powder River Basin were mapped and categorized from Landsat TM imagery, a Digital Elevation Model (30 m), and Digital Line Graph (DLG) hydrology files. A GIS program was written using DLG information to eliminate those lineaments that were within 20° of roads and railroads. The DLG and DEM information was further used to stratify the topographic lineaments into slope-breaks, ridge-tops, or valleys. Rose diagrams created for each class of lineaments give important clues on the timing of their formation. The major northwest and northeast trends that these lineaments follow appear to correspond with those identified by previous …

Relations Between Measures Of Attention And Memory In The Assessment Of Children With Attentional Difficulties, Karen S. Kirk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Attentional difficulties are associated with a number of different pediatric clinical disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (LD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Further, two cognitive functions dependent upon attention, learning and memory, are characteristic deficits in LD children, and have been documented as correlated weaknesses in ADHD and TBI populations. However, few investigations have examined the relation between these cognitive functions, in terms of understanding the respective contributions of attention, learning, and memory deficits in the clinical groups indicated above. In the present study, a measure of attention, the Gordon Diagnostic System (GDS) was compared to …

Development Of Decision Support System For Reliability, Mitesh Bhupendra Parekh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reliability analysis is now an essential part of any product development. In the field of Electrical Engineering, reliability models are developed and analyzed for every component before it comes to market. The complexity of the product can range from a simple transistor to an integrated circuit chip, from a simple communication link to a complex network, and from a small generator to a large powerhouse.;Over the period, several techniques have been developed to systematically model real systems and then analyze them. These techniques are constantly being enhanced to improve the modeling process and to reduce the time required for the …

Measurement Of Particulate Matter Size, Concentration And Mass Emissions From In-Use Heavy Duty Vehicles, Richard Jason Byers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As technological advancements lower heavy duty vehicle particulate matter (PM) mass emission rates, there is concern that these improvements are increasing the toxicity of the PM by virtue of a subsequent reduction in particle size. These ultrafine particles are able to better penetrate the alveolar region where they can cause serious lung disorders. Alternative fuels such as compressed and liquefied natural gas (CNG and LNG) and the synthetic diesel fuel Mossgas are attractive in that they reduce the levels of total PM. However, use of natural gas in internal combustion engines may produce a larger number of smaller particles than …

Decision Support Tool For Costing Of The Pultrusion Process, Taher Badrudin Patrawala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of advanced composites has grown over the last two decades. These high strength, low weight materials can now be found in many structural applications, including bridges. However, the substitution of plastics for conventional materials, such as steel, is governed by engineering constraints and cost competitiveness. A brief discussion of the process variables and engineering constraints is presented in the first chapter. To analyze the latter and to identify cost centers in production more readily, a computerized cost model was developed. This model estimates the cost of producing components by the pultrusion process.;The technical cost modeling methodology employed involves …

Measuring Behavioral Disruption In Children Who Have Been In Motor Vehicle Accidents, Kimberly Mullen James

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the overt behavioral response of children following recent exposure to a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Forty-five children completed a clinical Stroop task. Children were divided, based on prior psychometric assessment, into three groups: (a) survivors of a recent MVA, and experiencing behavioral distress; (b) survivors of a recent MVA, and not experiencing behavioral distress; and (c) those who have not experienced an MVA. Differential color-naming and error response to four types of Stroop stimuli was assessed: (a) MVA-related words, (b) school-stress related words, (c) neutral household words, and (d) colored Xs. Analysis of participant characteristics indicated no …

Explaining Age-Related Problem -Solving Differences On Concept Identification Problems As A Function Of Problem Content, Strategies, And Stereotypes, Dave Buck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purposes of this study were to: (a) determine whether older adults would use logic-based strategies on a concept identification task when the stereotyped content of the task was changed to "experience free"; (b) determine whether older adults would use logic-based strategies when the stereotyped content was left intact after completing an "experience free" version of the concept identification task, and (c) explore relations of potential causal mechanisms of strategy use for older adults such as problem interpretation or past experience. Thirty-two older adults (M = 70.0 years) and 32 younger adults (M = 21.2) solved two versions of the …

Data Mining Oipea Database For Waste And Productivity Enhancements In Manufacturing Units, Jaison John Ipe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Small and medium-sized manufacturing plants (those with fewer than 500 employees) represent more than 98 percent of the more than 374,000 establishments in the U.S. manufacturing industry, 64 percent of employees in the total manufacturing labor force, and more than 42 percent of total manufacturing energy consumption.;In 1976 the federal government started funding industrial energy audits for small and medium sized manufacturing firms under the auspices of the Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) that are spread throughout the U.S. The data collected from the hundreds of energy audits that are conducted each year is collected in a database maintained by the …

Experimental Investigation Of Ion Temperature Anisotropy Driven Instabilities In A High Beta Plasma, Paul Arthur Keiter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first measurements of an ion temperature anisotropy/beta inverse correlation in a high beta laboratory experiment are presented. The observation of this correlation is similar to such a correlation present in in-situ spacecraft measurements and predicted in theory. Low-frequency fluctuations are also observed. According to measurements presented here, these waves are electromagnetic, transverse, occur at frequencies below the cyclotron frequency and have wavenumbers consistent with predictions for the ion cyclotron anisotropy instability, also referred to as the Alfven Ion-Cyclotron instability. The device is a space simulation chamber that uses a helicon source for its plasma source. Ranges of ion beta …

Oocyte Morphology And Estrogen Concentrations Following A Reduction In Progesterone In Beef Cattle, Robert A. Taft Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Low dosages of progestogens promote persistent follicles, high systemic estrogen and low fertility. The objectives of this study were to determine effects of a reduction in progesterone on (1) morphology of oocytes and intrafollicular concentrations of estradiol. Cows on low progesterone (n = 12) received used intravaginal progesterone inserts on d 4 after estrus and prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha (25 mg, i.m.) on d 6. Control animals (n = 12) received saline on d 6. The oocyte and follicular fluid were recovered from the largest follicle on d 8 or d 10.;Serum estradiol was lower during d 4--6 but greater (P < .01) during d 7--10 in cows treated with progesterone inserts and PGF 2alpha while the largest follicle was larger in treated cows on day 10 only (14 vs. 12 mm; P < .05). Intrafollicular concentrations of estrogen were greater in treated than in control cows (990 +/- 87 vs 191 +/- 106; P < .01). Progesterone in follicular fluid (mean = 42 ng/ml) did not differ. Oocytes were observed in oocyte nuclear stage I in the control group on d 8. All other oocytes were in nuclear stage II. In addition, the degree of clumping of mitochondria, the percentage of intact cumulus cell processes and percentage of normally shaped mitochondria was greater in oocytes from d 8 control cows than in all other groups.;Changes in concentrations of estradiol and oocyte morphology typically associated with the preovulatory period had occurred within 2 d after a reduction in progesterone, even when low peripheral concentrations of progesterone were maintained. These earliest stages of oocyte maturation occurred in response to a reduction in progesterone. Similar changes in oocyte morphology were observed in control animals by d 10 of the estrous cycle, probably representing the onset of atresia.

Design And Development Of A Microwave-Enhanced Diesel Soot Oxidation System, Bret Allen Rankin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions have created considerable concern because PM is a suspected carcinogen. Up to this point, improved engine and fuel system design and control schemes have made the use of diesel particulate aftertreatment systems unnecessary for most applications in the United States, but the continued decreasing trend of emissions regulations may necessitate the use of PM filters for many applications.;Many methods have been developed to generate a controlled, reliable regeneration event within PM filters, none of which have been proven to be completely successful. These methods include exhaust throttling, fuel catalysis, filter catalysis, electrical heating, and burner …

Milk Allergy/Intolerance In Infancy And Cognitive Functioning, Tina M. Yost

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the relationship between a history of milk A/I in infancy and intelligence in later childhood. Participants included 74 male and female children ages 3 years to 12 years, referred for psychological evaluation. Background information gathered from the primary caregiver included history of milk A/I in infancy. The Wechsler Scales of Intelligence provided information on the participants level of cognitive functioning. Findings were significant for both ANOVA and chi square analysis, with children in Group One (milk A/I) demonstrating lower IQ scores than children in Group Two (no milk A/I). The findings also suggest a relationship between milk …

Characterization Of Particulate Matter And Hydrocarbon Emissions From In-Use Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines, Aleksandar Djordje Bugarski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A continued increase in the use of diesel engines in heavy-duty vehicles, and the uncertainties about the effects of the emissions on human health have focused attention on risk assessments of exposure to the diesel exhaust. The characterization of diesel particulate matter (PM) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions is the primary objective toward assessing potential health hazard. The dependence of DPM nature on engine/vehicle operating conditions, fuel type, different after treatment processes, and measurement process on the size resolved PM emissions was examined by operating the test engines and vehicles under steady-state and transient conditions. The regional deposition of DPM in …

From Self To Other In Oliver Stone's Vietnam Trilogy: Platoon, Born On The Fourth Of July, And Heaven And Earth, Hyeong-Min Kang

Theses and Dissertations

As a Vietnam veteran film director, Oliver Stone has made several controversial films on the Vietnam War and the 1950s. Among his filmography, we can categorize Platoon (1986), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), and Heaven and Earth (1993)-Stone's so called Vietnam Trilogy-as the most direct depictions of the war and its aftermath, whereas The Doors (1991), JFK (1991), and Nixon (1995) examine the broader political and cultural dimension of the war and the era. Throughout his Vietnam films, Stone struggles to find the new America's identity by studying the historical meaning of its past events and characters, because …

Wiyn Open Cluster Study. Ii. Ubvri Ccd Photometry Of The Open Cluster Ngc 188, Ata Sarajedini, Ted Von Hippel, Vera Kozhurina-Platais, Pierre Demarque

Publications

We present high-precision UBVRI CCD photometry of the old open cluster NGC 188. Our color-magnitude diagram extends from near the red giant branch tip to as faint as ~5 mag below the main-sequence turnoff. From an analysis of these data along with published photometry for M67, we draw the following conclusions: (1) From the UBV two-color diagram, we find a reddening of E(B ̶ V) = 0.04 ± 0.02 for M67 and E(B ̶ V) = 0.09 ± 0.02 for NGC 188. (2) Based on main-sequence fitting to solar abundance isochrones, the distance moduli …

Production Of The Subtropical Seagrass, Halodule Wrightii Aschers., In Lower Laguna Madre, Texas, Joseph L. Kowalski

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The autecology of shoal grass, Halodule wrightii Aschers., was studied at 1.2 m depth from June 1995 to February 1997 in Lower Laguna Madre (LLM), Texas. Halodule wrightii in LLM received about 47% surface irradiance, but otherwise displayed lower growth rates and biomass in nutrient-poor rhizosphere and water-column environments compared to H. wrightii populations in other Texas estuaries. High tissue N content and low C:N ratios belied low growth dynamics. Halodule wrightii in LLM is probably nutrient limited. A high nutrient demand by H. wrightii in a nutrient-poor environment may explain, in part, its gradual displacement by Thalassia testudinum and …

Power, Performance, And Perception (P3): Integrating Usability Metrics And Technology Acceptance Determinants To Validate A New Model For Predicting System Usage, Alan P. Fiorello

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, there are two distinct approaches to assist information technology managers in the successful implementation of office automation software. The first approach resides within the field of usability engineering, while the second approach is derived from the discipline of management information systems (MIS). However, neither approach has successfully produced conclusive evidence that explains what characteristics facilitate system use as well as influence user acceptance of the system. This study reports on the validity of a new model, entitled the Power, Performance, Perception (P3) model, that links the constructs of usability engineering to user acceptance. Additionally, speech recognition software (SRS) was …

December 1, 1999, The Daily Mississippian

Daily Mississippian (all digitized issues)

No abstract provided.

Organizing Culture: Leader Roles, Behaviors, And Reinforcement Mechanisms, Gerard George, Randall G. Sleeth, Mark A. Siders

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Organizational leaders provide the primary impetus in defining, forming and shaping corporate culture. Leadership literature emphasizes on the leader's role in "articulating a vision" and the leader's pivotal role in establishing culture by setting objectives and then removing hurdles by smoothing the path for attaining those objectives. The model of corporate culture transmission focuses on behaviors that corporate leaders employ to create, communicate and manage corporate culture. However, the model does not emphasize interpretation and identification with leader behaviors in ways that would cause members to embrace the leader's values and beliefs. Improved focus over two decades does not yet …

Microscopic Origins Of Heliclinic Phases In Smectic Liquid Crystals, Jonathan J. Stott, Rolfe G. Petschek

Faculty Scholarship

In a previous article [Phys. Rev. E 60, 1799 (1999)], the authors considered a model Landau free energy that explained the ferriclinic phases of chiral smectic liquid crystals as a series of short period helical modulations. In this paper we begin with a physically more realistic, more microscopic interlayer free energy and show how our previous work can be derived using only simple short-ranged interactions. We then discuss what additional information this provides about the Landau coefficients used previously to construct the phase diagram for the heliclinic phases of chiral smectic liquid crystals. Finally, we investigate a means for explicitly …

Students' Mental Models Of Electricity In Simple Dc Circuits, Andrew C. Isola Iii

Dissertations

This study presents the results of research into middle school students' knowledge about the nature and mechanisms of action of electricity in simple DC circuits. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders (n=99) were asked a series of questions about the roles of bulbs, batteries, wires, and electricity in circuits. Almost half the number of students (n=42) were found to have used detailed, well-defined, and logically consistent mental models based on their responses. A total of 15 different detailed mental models were documented in these students that belonged to one of four different general model types: (1) round trip flow using both …

Strategic Planning For Research Use In Nursing Practice, Chris Van Mullem, Laura Burke, Kari Dohmeyer, Marie Farrell, Sue Harvey, Laura John, Carolyn Kraly, Fran Rowley, Margaret Sebern, Kerry Twite, Roberta Zapp

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background/Objective:

To prepare for a culture change to integrate research utilization into daily nursing practice, the authors conducted a descriptive survey of all registered nurses (RNs) in an integrated healthcare delivery system. The purposes of this study were to assess RNs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of nursing research activities, assess factors that support a research environment, and determine facilitating and challenging factors related to conducting regional nursing research.

Methods:

A 33-item survey based on the Iowa Model for Evidence-Based Practice was developed, validated, and determined to be reliable by the authors. Site coordinators organized and managed the orientation, administration, …