Digital Commons Network^™

Imposing Cyclic Strain On Osteogenic Stem Cells: The Effects Of Strain Levels And Repetition Of Cyclic Strain In An Implant Environment, Daniel Henlee Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Bone and bone cells have been shown to respond to mechanical forces placed upon them. Particularly, strain plays an important role in osteogenic differentiation of marrow cells around artificial implants in bone. These strains, depending on their magnitude, duration, and repetition, can alter the proliferation and matrix synthesis of osteoblasts. To test how strain parameters influence osteoblast behavior, a four-point bending apparatus was used to impose cyclic strain on osteogenic stem cells isolated from rats and seeded on titanium plates. Cells were stimulated at 1 Hz for 15 minutes daily and compared to an unstrained control. Stimulation occurred at two …

Improved Estimation Of Epitaxial Thin Film Thickness And Doping Using Fourier Transform Infrared Reflection Spectroscopy, Swapna Geetha Sunkari

Theses and Dissertations

Film thickness, free carrier concentration and free carrier mobility are critical figures of merit for silicon carbide epitaxial growth. Room temperature Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) reflection spectroscopy can estimate these parameters non-destructively and is capable of high-resolution wafer mapping. Commercially available equipment has greatly simplified the application of this technique by coupling a high performance automated spectrometer with model-based data analysis and interpretation based on the personal computer. While powerful numerical techniques run fast and efficient on modern computers, it is essential that low-order, well-conditioned models are needed. The observed reflectance spectrum is the result of reflection and refraction of …

Predicting Open-Source Software Quality Using Statistical And Machine Learning Techniques, Amit Ashok Phadke

Theses and Dissertations

Developing high quality software is the goal of every software development organization. Software quality models are commonly used to assess and improve the software quality. These models, based on the past releases of the system, can be used to identify the fault-prone modules for the next release. This information is useful to the open-source software community, including both developers and users. Developers can use this information to clean or rebuild the faulty modules thus enhancing the system. The users of the software system can make informed decisions about the quality of the product. This thesis builds quality models using logistic …

Laboratory Evaluation Of Tensile And Shear Strengths Of Asphalt Tack Coats, Mark Everett Woods

Theses and Dissertations

Asphalt tack coats are applied during pavement construction to ensure bond between pavement layers, thus providing a more durable pavement. A prototype tack coat evaluation device (TCED) was developed to evaluate the tensile and torque-shear strength of tack coat materials. Three emulsions (SS-1, CSS-1, and CRS-2) and one asphalt binder (PG 67-22), commonly used as tack coats, were evaluated using the TCED at various application temperatures, application rates, dilutions, and set times. A laboratory bond interface strength device (LBISD) was developed to assess interface shear strength of laboratory-prepared specimens. Mass loss testing was performed to evaluate moisture evaporation and visual …

Theoretical Modeling Approach For A Common Residential Electrically Heated Oven And Proposed Oven Design Modification, Mark Allan Breen

Theses and Dissertations

Current research has developed a fully predictive model of an electrically heated common residential oven. This system was modeled using a fully explicit approach and, where applicable, considered natural convective correlations, various radiation networks, and conduction relations. Two oven configurations were modeled, a conventional (unmodified) residential oven and a modified design. By comparing the theoretical results obtained through modeling with experimental results, verification of the modeling assumptions and results has been achieved. This research has produced an analytical design tool for predictive modeling of time dependant surface temperatures, maximum expected temperatures, and the baking performance of various oven designs. Thus …

Visualization Of Computer-Modeled Forests For Forest Management, Mahnas Jean Mohammadi-Aragh

Theses and Dissertations

Forest management is a costly and time-consuming activity. Remote sensing has the potential to improve the process by making it cheaper and more efficient, but only if appropriate characteristics can be determined from computer-models. This thesis describes the implementation of a forest visualization system and a corresponding user study that tests the accuracy of parameter estimation and forest characterization. The study uses data obtained from field-surveys to generate a computer-modeled forest. Five different stands were tested. Based on the quantitative results obtained, generally, there is no statistically significant difference in parameter estimation when comparing field-recorded movies and computer-generated movies.

Towards A Methodology For Interactive Virtual Design Assessment, Kang Li

Theses and Dissertations

Complex interactive behaviour involves cognitive, sensation and motor behaviour and may consist of several sub interactive behaviours. It needs to be examined from different points of view. Although explaining everything in one model is not currently possible, it is possible to connect information from different sources to get a better understanding of the interaction to benefit product design. The long-term objective of our study is to develop a methodology for interactive virtual design assessment to study the interactive behaviour and achieve compatibility. This study summarized two experiments which covered many aspects of interactive behaviours in seated posture. Experiment one addressed …

Kermit Frink

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

Ecological And Genetic Consequences Of Seasonal Drought On Stream Communities Inhabiting Pool Refugia, Joseph William Love

Theses and Dissertations

In intermittent streams, hydrological variation is probably the single-most important factor affecting fish assemblage structure. While the response of aquatic assemblages to seasonal or annual variation in hydrology is well-known, less attention has been devoted to how assemblages respond to natural, intraseasonal drought. To explore this question, I conducted summer surveys of fish and aquatic insect assemblages occupying pool refugia in first to third order, intermittent streams in the Saline river drainage in the Ouachita highlands (central Arkansas, U.S.A.)(2001?2003). The goals of this project were: 1) to relate assemblage variability of fishes and aquatic insects to environmental gradients during summer …

A Study Of The Impact Of The Mississippi Writing Project Summer Institute On Teacher Efficiency In Writing, Susan Gregory Dillard

Theses and Dissertations

In order to provide evidence of the worth of the Summer Institute of the National Writing Project, this study sought to determine whether participation in the professional development would increase feelings of teacher efficacy in writing. The Summer Institute professional development is consistent with recommendations of researchers in teacher efficacy and in professional development. Albert Bandura?s social cognitive theory provides a contextual framework for both teacher efficacy and the Summer Institute. The study compared the pre- and posttest scores on the Teacher Efficacy Scale for Writing and Writing Orientation Scale (Graham, S., Harris, K. R., Fink, B. & MacArthur, C., …

Multiscale Analysis Of Void Coalescence In Ductile Metals, Matthew Kenneth Jones

Theses and Dissertations

A mulitscale approach is used to model the coalescence of voids. At the microscale, cylindrical and spherical voids in nickel and the magnesium alloy AM60 are simulated through finite element analyses. The nickel cylindrical void simulations are compared to a set of experiments to validate this micromechanical finite element approach used to study void coalescence. At the macroscale, the coalescence portion of a microstructure-property material model is modified to reflect the behavior of three-dimensional spherical voids using results from the micromechanical simulations. An analysis of an automotive component illustrates the influence of void coalescence at the structural scale.

Site-Specific Prediction And Measurement Of Cotton Fiber Quality, Rui Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Maintaining cotton fiber quality is crucial for the survival of the U.S. cotton industry. Previous studies have indicated that spatial variability of fiber quality parameters exists in cotton fields. If site-specific measurement and prediction of quality is possible, then fiber could be segregated during the harvesting process, thus increasing the overall price a producer would receive for his crop. Because of the importance of fiber micronaire to the textile industry, the fact that micronaire exhibits moderate variation in the field, and the fact that it has been shown to be related to optical properties of cotton fibers, micronaire measurement was …

Gas Hydrates To Capture And Sequester Co2, Tao Ding

Theses and Dissertations

Reducing atmospheric CO2, a main source of greenhouse gas, has been accentuated recently. One focus is capture, separation, and sequestration of industrial CO2. As a hydrate former, CO2 forms hydrates at moderate temperatures and pressures. This phenomenon could be utilized to capture and separate CO2 from flue gases, and also has the potential to sequester CO2 in the deep sds. This research investigated the CO2-N2 separation efficiency of gas hydrates; it investigated the sequestration potential of CO2 hydrates in ocean sediments. The catalytic effect of surfactants in these processes was investigated. A fluorosurfactant FS-62 was mixed with SDS at 100ppm/1000ppm …

Comparing Spectral-Object Based Approaches For Extracting And Classifying Transportation Features Using High Resolution Multi-Spectral Satellite Imagery, Sunil Reddy Repaka

Theses and Dissertations

Recent developments in commercial satellite products have resulted in a broader range of high quality image data, enabling detailed analysis. Transportation features have historically been difficult to accurately identify and structure into coherent networks; prior analyses have demonstrated problems in locating smaller features. One problem is that roadways in urban environments are often partly obscured by proximity to land cover or impervious objects. Ongoing research has focused on object-based methods for classification and different segmentation techniques key to this approach. For this application, software packages such as eCognition have shown encouraging results in assessing spatial and spectral patterns at varied …

A Spatial And Temporal Analysis Of Winter Weather Events In The Southeast United States With Correlations To Enso And Other Teleconnections, Christopher Clayborne Duke

Theses and Dissertations

Snow/ice events are indeed a rare occurrence in the southeast United States. As a result, residents of the Southeast often exemplify a passive attitude towards winter weather and are often unprepared when it strikes. This study analyzed every recorded winter weather event that struck the Southeast (Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia) from the winter season of 1961-'62 through 2000-'01 from both a spatial and temporal standpoint. Through the results of this study, it was evident that Georgia saw the most overall winter weather events and January seemed to be the most productive month overall. This study also analyzed teleconnection (ENSO, PNA, NAO, …

Common Injuries Of Musicians, Lynette Lukomski

Honors Theses

Musicians face many challenges throughout their careers; dealing with an injury should not be one of them. Unfortunately, studies show that up to seventy-five percent of musicians suffer playing-related injuries. These injuries can retard musical growth, can take time out of practices and performances, and may cost a musician his/her job. Fortunately, many non-invasive treatments can be used if injuries are diagnosed quickly, and prevention techniques are available to prevent an injury from ever occurring. Factors such as age and genetics (physical and mental characteristics inherited from parents) should be considered as well when a musician decides his/her practice schedule. …

Juanita Cynthia Hill

African American Funeral Programs

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of Host Site Participants' Perceptions Of A Shared Distance Learning Experience, Debra Lynn Williams-Carter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate host site participants' perceptions of a shared distance learning experience. The participants for the study were 12 students enrolled in the course, Teaching Strategies in Elementary Education at Hunt University during the fall semester of 2000. The course was offered simultaneously to students at a distance site. Both groups of students received instruction from the same instructor during the course. According to the review of the literature numerous studies have been conducted to obtain data from the perspectives of distance site students. However, no literature was found that pertained specifically to the …

Cultural Awareness Levels Of Professionals And Students At Mississippi State University: International Education's Challenge, William Edward Stephen Cottrell

Theses and Dissertations

The literature indicates that America's demographic transformation is becoming a priority issue for higher education. Consequently, progressive educational leadership has a stake in international education development. Since enhanced cultural awareness is essential to this process, its scarcity in terms of measurable evidence has given rise to this study. Research questions included: (1) What is the level of cultural awareness among professional employees and students at Mississippi State University as measured by the Culture Shock Inventory Measurement Table? (2) Do demographic factors relate to cultural awareness levels of professional employees and students at Mississippi State University? (3) What role does international …

Hispanic Students' Beliefs Regarding Emergent Literacy: A Case Study, Jacqueline L. Breland Worley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the beliefs of the participants with regards to emergent literacy. Another purpose was to identify literacy practices employed by the participants while teaching preschool children. An additional purpose was to determine if participation in the course entitled ?Emergent Literacy? changed any beliefs of the participants regarding emergent literacy and subsequent literacy practices employed while teaching preschool children. The final purpose of this study was to determine the beliefs of the participants regarding emergent literacy and subsequent literacy practices employed while teaching preschool children, three years after completing the course entitled ?Emergent Literacy.? …

Investigation Of Inductively Coupled Plasma As An Atomization Source For Analytical And Fundamental Measurements Using Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy, Fabio Jerome Mazzotti

Theses and Dissertations

Analytical as well as fundamental measurements were performed with an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) using the novel technique of cavity ringdown spectroscopy. A newly designed ICP torch was presented. Limits of detection were measured for elemental mercury, both in an ICP as well as in a cold mercury chemical generator. The efficiency of the technique was compared with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in the ICP. Isotopically resolved spectra of uranium were collected with this technique and results were compared to previous studies using LIF. Gas temperature and electron density estimations were done by lineshape measurements on lead atoms in the ICP. …

Microbially Mediated Porosity Enhancement In Carbonate Reservoirs: Experiments With Samples From The Salem, Sligo, And Smackover Formations, Melody Roy Coffey

Theses and Dissertations

This study used petrographic thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser microscopy to document microbially mediated dissolution of carbonate reservoir rocks. The samples studied came from three carbonate units that are hydrocarbon reservoirs; the Salem, Sligo, and Smackover formations. These samples were inoculated with bacteria, and then treated with nutrient solutions followed by ethanol to promote generation of acetic acid by bacteria. Dissolution occurred in calcite-dominated rocks and in dolomitized rocks. Noticeable changes first occurred after nine weeks of ethanol treatment and significant change only occurred after twelve weeks of ethanol treatment. The size of the vuggy pores created …

Legality Principle Of Crimes And Punishments In Iranian Legal System, Seyed Doraid Mousavi Mojab

ExpressO

The Principle of legality of crimes and punishments (nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege) refers to the fact that an act is not considered a crime and deserves no punishment, unless the Legislator determines and announces the criminal title and its penalty before.

The legality principle protects individual security by ensuring basic individual libertties against the arbitrary and unwarranted intrusion of the state. Thus, the criminal judge can’t call the individuals’ acts crime and assign punishments for them or exert punishments that are not prescribed by the Legislator without any letter of law. If an act is morally rebutted or …

Minutes, December 10, 2004, Taos Faculty Senate

Taos Faculty Senate - Archive

Minutes from the December 10th, 2004 Facutly Senate meeting.

On The Green Vol. 35 No. 6 December 10, 2004, Gallaudet University

2001-2010

On the Green is an internal publication of Gallaudet College, which later became Gallaudet University. It notified employees of updates around the campus and in the broader community, including new construction and the establishment of new academic programs. Running until 2010, it was supplanted by various forms of online mass communications across multiple audiences.

Atmospheric Circulation And Cyclone Frequency Variations Linked To The Primary Modes Of Greenland Snow Accumulation, Jeffrey C. Rogers, Deborah J. Bathke, Ellen Mosley-Thompson, Sheng-Hung Wang

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Data from 34 Greenland firn cores, extending from 1982 to 1996, are used to identify spatial accumulation variability patterns and their associated atmospheric circulation and cyclone frequencies. The first principal component, representing west-central Greenland accumulation, is correlated to NAO variability, having increased southwesterly (northeasterly) flow over that area during high (low) accumulation winters. The flow is linked to a relative increase in cyclone activity on the west central region of the ice sheet during high accumulation periods. The second principal component represents accumulation over southeastern Greenland where strong westerly flow leads to high accumulation and an increase in lee cyclones …

Volume 40 - Issue 11 - Friday, December 10, 2004, Rose Thorn Staff

The Rose Thorn Archive

The Rose Thorn, Rose-Hulman's independent student newspaper.

Assessment Of Student Learning Minutes 12/10/2004, Assessment Of Student Learning Committee

Assessment of Student Learning Minutes (Inactive)

No abstract provided.

A Neptune-Mass Planet Orbiting The Nearby M Dwarf Gj 436, R. Paul Butler, Steve S. Vogt, Geoffrey W. Marcy, Debra A. Fischer, Jason T. Wright, Gregory W. Henry, Gregory Laughlin, Jack J. Lissauer

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We report precise Doppler measurements of GJ 436 (M2.5 V) obtained at Keck Observatory. The velocities reveal a planetary companion with orbital period of 2.644 days, eccentricity of 0.12 (consistent with zero), and velocity semiamplitude of K = 18.1 m s-1. The minimum mass (M sin i) for the planet is 0.067MJup = 1.2MNep = 21MEarth, making it the lowest mass exoplanet yet found around a main-sequence star and the first candidate in the Neptune-mass domain. GJ 436 (mass = 0.41 M☉) is only the second M dwarf found to harbor a planet, joining the two-planet system around GJ 876. …

We Are…Marshall, December 10, 2004, Office Of Marshall University Communications

We Are ... Marshall: the Newsletter for Marshall University 1999-2023

No abstract provided.