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Formal Specification Of Requirements For Analytical Redundancy-Based Fault -Tolerant Flight Control Systems, Diego Del Gobbo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Flight control systems are undergoing a rapid process of automation. The use of Fly-By-Wire digital flight control systems in commercial aviation (Airbus 320 and Boeing FBW-B777) is a clear sign of this trend. The increased automation goes in parallel with an increased complexity of flight control systems with obvious consequences on reliability and safety. Flight control systems must meet strict fault-tolerance requirements. The standard solution to achieving fault tolerance capability relies on multi-string architectures. On the other hand, multi-string architectures further increase the complexity of the system inducing a reduction of overall reliability.;In the past two decades a variety of …

Finite Element Modeling Of Dowel -Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement Response To Thermal And Moving Traffic Loads, Michel Ramsis Fahmy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this study was to develop Three Dimensional Finite Element Models (3D-FEM) that can be used to investigate the separate or combined effect of moving axle loads and thermal gradient on the response of dowel Jointed Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (JPCCP) structures. The availability of a mechanistic tool that can be used for an accurate prediction of rigid pavement response to such loads would enable designing longer lasting pavements and understanding some of its modes of distress. In this respect, finite element modeling offers a powerful tool for the simulation of the structural behavior of pavements under the …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Eggshell Color And Egg Specific Gravity Of The Eggs Of White Leghorns, Thomas Jerome Orgeron

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Chimes: December 1, 2000, Calvin College

Chimes

Cross Country wins first national title by Jamie Olthoff

The wandering Moses in Calvin history by Nathan VanderKlippe

Planned swap upsets students by Nathan VanderKlippe

Students study abroad by Erin Miller

Calvin astronomy to receive new telescopes by Beth Steenwyk

Broene Center bustles by Christian Bell

Knights claim 'Battle of the Beltline' by Ross Weener

Swimming posts respectable finish at Wabash Invitational by Rianna VanderGaast

A return from exile by Nathan VanderKlippe

"Lament for the Reformed Tradition" another demonstration of postmodern factionalism by Mike van Eerden

Voltage Collapse Prediction For Interconnected Power Systems, Amer S. Al-Hinai

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A steady state analysis is applied to study the voltage collapse problem. The modal analysis method is used to investigate the stability of the power system. Q-V curves are used to confirm the obtained results by modal analysis method and to predict the stability margin or distance to voltage collapse based on reactive power load demand. The load characteristics are considered in this research. Different voltage dependent loads are proposed in order to be used instead of the constant load model. The effect of induction machine load is considered in this study. The load is connected to several selected buses.;The …

Influence Of Fuel Sulfur Content On Emissions From Diesel Engines Equipped With Oxidation Catalysts, Jason Carter Evans

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) are a viable exhaust aftertreatment alternative for alleviating regulated exhaust emissions of hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) from diesel-fueled heavy-duty engines. This study was a part of the Diesel Emissions Control-Sulfur Effects (DECSE) program that was aimed at determining the impact of diesel fuel sulfur levels on diesel oxidation catalysts that were designed to lower brake-specific PM, HC, and CO emissions from on-highway trucks and buses in the 2002--2004 model years. The research focused on high-temperature DOCs installed on a Cummins ISM370 ESP engine, and low-temperature DOCs installed on a Navistar T444E …

Improving Commercial Vehicle Crash Data Quality In West Virginia, Kris Sean Gillespie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to identify methods to improve commercial carrier crash data in West Virginia including coal trucks. All organizations and agencies involved with commercial carrier safety need ready access to basic data describing the crash-involved operator, vehicle, and environment. Such data are necessary to any programmatic or engineering countermeasures. The basic approach used to accomplish the research objectives involved a series of regional meetings where law enforcement personnel expressed their opinions about ways to improve commercial vehicle crash data quality. These results were then weighted and prioritized. The top five solutions generated at these meetings were: …

Representative Ways To Analyze And Survey Changes In Long-Term Electrocardiographic Recordings, Simona Gabriela Crihalmeanu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The goal of this research is to explore techniques with which long-term physiologic time-series data can be analyzed, so that relevant changes in physiological signals, particularly the electrocardiogram signal, can be captured, processed, quantified and stored. A new experimental model was developed such that the electrocardiogram can be monitored continuously over thirteen weeks. Cardiotoxicity was progressively induced with doxorubicin in a rabbit model, and electrocardiographic progressions from normal state to diseased state were continuously tracked. Automated methods for analyzing the data were developed to manage and control the extensive electrocardiogram dataset. A significant challenge to this work is the sheer …

Three-Dimensional Image Reconstruction Of Skeletal Tissue From Computed Tomography, Sundareswar Bangalore Jayashekar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Edge Detection Techniques play a very important role in medical imaging. Pre-operative diagnosis of diseases such as cancer, tumors, bone fractures etc. depend on edge detection techniques to identify the malignant growths. In orthopedics, edge detection techniques are used in the reconstruction of the skeletal system from modalities such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography).;In this thesis, we develop a simple process for the three dimensional image reconstruction of the human knee, starting from computed tomography scans. Designing a digital image processing technique which successfully separates the bone from the surrounding flesh and muscle tissue is the …

Parallelization Of Ecg Template-Based Abnormality Detection, Sherry Lea Kratsas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In order to develop techniques to predict cardiac arrest, long-term study of electrocardiogram (ECG) data needs to be done to detect changes in electrical activity of diseased hearts. In the past, limitations of computing power and storage space restricted the duration of long-term studies to several days. However, with today's technological advancement, data collection can be extended to months or years. The goal of this thesis research is to evaluate several alternatives for distributing the analysis of ECG data over multiple processors. Parallel algorithms utilizing Correlation Waveform Analysis (CWA) were implemented to compare individual heartbeats and form heartbeat templates. The …

Development And Evaluation Of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Composite/Wood Railroad Crossties, Krit Laosiriphong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Railroad crossties are strengthened by wrapping glass fiber reinforced composites (GFRC). In addition, durability of crossties has been found to have enhanced by reinforcing them with GFRC wraps. In order to reduce the cost, GFRC wraps are not used to wrap the entire length of a crosstie, but only in the region that holds steel plates. The objective of this research is to select compatible adhesive between creosote treated wood and glass fabric, and study the performance of wrapped wooden crossties.;Five primer/resin combinations (Resorcinol Formaldehyde group) were screened for strength and durability of treated wood crossties. To evaluate stiffness and …

Carbon Products From Coal Liquefaction Fractions, Lizbeth Laureano-Perez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Processes for coal conversion are being evaluated for the development of carbon-product precursors. In the present work, coal hydrogenation is being considered as a procedure for tailoring the properties of the precursors for specific carbon products. The object of this project is to assess and evaluate such coal-derived materials for use as precursors for the production of carbon products. Coal liquefaction samples are made under various processing conditions, e.g. temperature, pressure, solvent. Softening points, ash content and coking values of the samples are determined at WVU by ASTM methods. These samples were also examined for coke microstructure and mesophase formation. …

Predicting A Detailed Permeability Profile From Minipermeameter Measurements And Well Log Data, Shawn D. Nines

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Permeability, along with the porosity, comprises one of the two most important properties in petroleum engineering with respect producing hydrocarbon fluids.;It is standard practice in the petroleum industry to determine permeability in one of two ways. These are pressure transient testing and core analysis. Both methods are expensive in their own ways. This research focuses on a way to minimize or limit the need for both of these testing procedures.;The purpose of this research was to utilize well log data, mainly gamma ray and density, Minipermeameter values, and basic information such as depth and spatial coordinates to predict permeability in …

Effects Of Ownership And Circulation On Editorial Presentation In West Virginia Newspapers, Matthew E. Umstead

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis, which focuses on the post-yellow journalism era in West Virginia, further develops the body of research done on the influence of chain ownership in newspapers.;Historically, strong political biases in news coverage were found in the yellow journalism, early 20th century period. And this study finds a conservative bias on the opinion-editorial pages in a traditionally Democratic state with few competing media markets and reliance upon newspapers for local news. This thesis finds ownership status and circulation size affects the balance and variety of feature items presented within the opinion editorial content. Thus, previous research suggesting chain ownership influence …

Hazardous Materials Database, Veena Vadiala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Handling and disposal of a retired object can be a major component of its Life Cycle Cost. Often, during dismantling of a retired object many hazardous materials are released. Disposal of hazardous materials also need to comply with various federal regulations. Agencies like Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set these safety regulations. It is possible to apply generic exposure and release controls to protect workers from hazardous materials. For the most cost effective hazard controls it is necessary first to identify the materials and their properties of primary concern. There is a need …

Dynamic Property Evaluation Of Frother, Yunkai Xia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fourteen solvents were evaluated through frothing test and laboratory flotation batch tests. A new frothing parameter, initial dynamic froth index (IDFI), is proposed to compare the frothability of solvent. IDFI is derived from initial retention time of froth instead of retention time. IDFI is defined as the limiting slope of the initial retention time versus concentration curves while the concentration approaches zero. IDFI value depends on chemical structure and molecular weight of the solvent. Combined with normalized frothability index (NFI), normalized collapse rate constant (NKc), hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and dynamic froth index (DFI), IDFI can be a useful index in …

West Virginians' Perceptions And Use Of Complementary Medicine, Joshua David Blevins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to determine how West Virginian's perceive and use complementary medicine. The first objective was to determine the frequency of respondents who had used at least one complementary therapy in the last year. The second objective was to determine the most commonly used complementary therapies among respondents. The third objective was to examine the demographic characteristics of respondents who used complementary therapies. The fourth objective was to determine if certain types of medical problems led to complementary medicine use among respondents. The fifth objective was to show the percentage of users who informed their physician …

Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis ) Abundance In Forested Headwater Streams With Emphasis On Fine Sediment, James Philip Hakala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The influence and relative importance of fine sediment on wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) population size was assessed. Brook trout production in headwater streams was inversely proportional to substrate permeability in one of two years, suggesting substrate composition influenced production. Results suggest the critical fine sediment size for brook trout in this study, is between 0.063 mm and 1.0 mm. Further, fine sediment (<0.063 mm) should not exceed 0.6--1.0% of spawning substrate, or negative population effects may be incurred. Under normal flow conditions, fine sediment was a principal determinant of juvenile trout abundance relative to other physical and biological factors. Adult trout abundance was principally a function of stream discharge, and is potentially further influenced by fine sediment impacts on juvenile recruitment. Spatially restricted food resources, created by drought-induced low flows in year 2 of the study, are believed to have over-powered mechanisms influencing trout abundance under normal flows.

Diversity Of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi On Two Reclaimed Surface Mines Differing In Soil Properties, Betsy S. Kurnik

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

I analyzed community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi on white pine (Pinus strobus) on two reclaimed surface mines in eastern Ohio. One site was acidic and metal-stressed, the other was alkaline. Completely different community composition was found on the two sites by PCR/ITS/RFLP analyses of field collected mycorrhizae. However, Shannon-Wiener index values indicated that the two communities were equally diverse. A population of isolates of one species common to both sites was obtained from trap cultures planted with white pine. The identity of this species as Wilcoxina mikolae was established through DNA sequencing of the ITS region. The W. mikolae populations …

Evaluation Of Maternal Serum Triple Screen As An Identifier Of Trisomy 21 Pregnancy, Jonnie Ann Lane

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Maternal serum triple screen is used to identify women less than 35 years of age who are at an increased risk of having a fetus with Down syndrome. The screen identifies 5% of women tested as being at an increased risk but only 2--3% of these women actually have a fetus with chromosome abnormalities, indicating a high false positive rate. Medical records for 900 cases referred for maternal serum triple screen and maternal age were reviewed. The percentages of abnormal karyotypes in the two populations were not significantly different from each other or the expected value. While 3% of all …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles, Heidi Jo Magnone

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nanoparticles of CuO, Co3O4 and Mn5O 8 were prepared via sol-gel chemical routes. Thermal treatments of the gels were used to obtain particles of different sizes, as determined by the widths of the Bragg lines in x-ray diffraction. To prepare CuO nanoparticles, a Cu(OH)2 gel was first produced by reacting copper nitrate with sodium hydroxide, followed by annealing the gel at temperatures between 160°C to 1,000°C to produce particles in the 6 to 36 nm range. Nanoparticles of Co3O4 in the size range of 9 to 45 nm were prepared in an analogous manner by reacting cobalt nitrate and sodium …

Increasing Nutrition Knowledge And Food-Related Behavior Practices Among Participants In The "Dining With Diabetes" Program In West Virginia, Amy B. O'Dell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Diabetes is a serious disease that effects a large number of West Virginia's population. A study was conducted using 591 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects who attended the "Dining with Diabetes" program. Subjects completed a demographic form, pretest, and posttest. Pearson's correlation and ANOVA were used to determine the effect of a diabetes intervention program on nutrition knowledge, diabetes behaviors, and practices. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in nutrition knowledge between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. Interaction was noted when subjects were placed into groups based on their pretest score (p < 0.07). The change in score (posttest score-pretest score) was negatively correlated with pretest score (r = -0.75, p < 0.00). Significant association was also noted between nutrition knowledge score and several behavior and diabetic practices. The results conclude that diabetes education programs may significantly affect some behaviors and diabetic practices.

Effect Of Manufacturing Process Conditions On The Durability Of Pultruded Vinyl Ester/Glass Composites, Chrystal Ann Garland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fiber reinforced polymer composites, FRPs, have an increased role in structural applications. Environmental durability is important for the design of structural components. Processes such as pultrusion are cost-effective methods of producing FRPs. This research focused on the durability of pultruded FRP with different processing conditions. Pultruded samples made at different line speeds (4, 8, and 12 ipm) were immersed in water at 25, 50, and 85°C for varying lengths of time and the mechanical properties evaluated via 3-point bending tests. A reduction in strength was observed for the samples immersed in 50 and 85°C water, with the largest reduction occurring …

Investigation And Simulation Of The Planetary Combination Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Csaba Toth-Nagy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was the detailed examination of a Planetary Combination Hybrid Electric Vehicle design (PC-Hybrid). The PC-Hybrid unites all the advantages of the existing hybrid electric vehicle powertrain concepts, such as series, parallel and combination, while eliminating the disadvantages of each.;The PC-Hybrid powertrain is built up of an internal combustion engine, and two electric motor/alternators connected together via a planetary gear set. Several different powertrain configuration layouts were investigated as possible setups of the PC-Hybrid and the two most promising ones were chosen for further investigation and simulation. A control strategy has been developed for the optimal …

Exploring Visitor Meanings Of Place In The National Capital Parks - Central, Wei-Li Jasmine Chen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study uses a new approach to interpretative research based on (1) understanding the meanings visitors attach to park resources, and (2) examining the connections that visitors made after attending an on-site interpretive program. The study was conducted at the National Capital Parks in Washington, DC. This study revealed that many visitors to the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial (i.e. the Triangle) seek something of value for themselves, including everything from connecting with the past and rededicating themselves to the ideals of the nation. The study incorporated mixed method design, including purposeful sampling …

Commercialism, Subsistence, And Competency On The Western Virginia Frontier, 1765--1800, John M. Boback

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since the early nineteenth century, Americans have frequently associated the pioneers of the Appalachian Mountains with subsistence farming, economic independence, and a certain degree of hostility toward capitalism. This thesis disproves the myth of pioneer self-sufficiency by demonstrating how the men and women who settled in western Virginia during the final third of the eighteenth century used a variety of tactics in their struggle to achieve a competency. Although subsistence activities, such as hunting and farming, undoubtedly held an important place in the backcountry domestic economy, the settlers also interacted with the commercial market as both producers and consumers of …

Effects Of Gender And Gender Role On Cardiovascular Reactivity And Anger Experience During An Interpersonal Interaction, Andria Leigh Black

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined gender and gender role differences in cardiovascular reactivity and anger experience during an interpersonal interaction. Ninety-six participants interacted in dyads (traditional masculine men with traditional feminine women, and androgynous men with androgynous women). Agency (degree of challenge; High versus Low) and Communion (degree of agreement; Agree versus Disagree) were manipulated. Heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were assessed. Participants completed questionnaires assessing state and trait anger, and angry thoughts. Traditional women exhibited higher HR during speaking and listening intervals than other groups. Higher levels of state anger were reported for individuals …

Students' Perception Of Performance Through Self-Assessment, Javier Dejesus Coronado-Aliegro

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was designed as a qualitative investigation and it focuses on the non-graded self-assessment adult ESL students make of their performance. It is based upon findings from previous studies of self-assessment in several settings (Glazer, 1999; Glazer et al., 1995; Optiz, 1995; Manning, 1997; Levy, 1999; Fazey, 1993; Boud, 1992; Orsmond et al., 1997; Sullivan and Hall, 1997; and Lan, 1996). The present research reports and analyzes data collected from eleven students who expressed their views concerning their performance through a checklist, two questionnaires and an interview in an ESL setting. The data collected and analyzed suggest that students …

Persistence Of Response Variation And Repetition, Adam Howard Doughty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A multiple chained schedule was used to assess the persistence of fixed and variable response sequences. In one terminal link, a single 4-peck response sequence produced food (Repeat) and in the other terminal link a 4-peck response sequence produced food only if it had been occurring infrequently relative to the other 15 possible responses (Vary). Similar response and reinforcement rates occurred in each terminal link. Identical variable-interval 20-s schedules operated in the initial links preceding each terminal link and lower response rates reliably occurred in the initial link preceding the Vary terminal link. After responding stabilized under the multiple chained …

Effects Of Pain And Fear Stimulus Intensity Levels On Pain Responding In Chronic Pain Patients, John Thomas Sorrell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fear has been found to increase and decrease pain responding in various contexts, and the effects of fear and pain stimulus intensity levels on pain responding have not been examined. Forty chronic pain patients were exposed to an algometer pressure pain device which stimulated different fingers; there were two levels of pressure pain (i.e., high and low). Also, there were two levels of induced fear (i.e., high and low). Significant main effects of pain stimulus intensity level were found on threshold pain time, tolerance pain time, and self-reports of fear and pain. Also, a significant main effect of gender was …