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The Study Of Down-Hole Hydro-Cyclone Efficiency In Oil Wells Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, Ahmed A. Yusuf

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Water is by far the largest waste stream associated with oil and gas production and it is unimaginable to find an oil reservoir absolutely free from connate water. Water management has become an important issue of hydrocarbon production, since the produced water increases as the field grows older and the cost of water handling, such as separation, treatment and repair is dramatically increasing. Down-Hole Separation (DOWS) and re-injection results in the production of oil to the surface, while portions of water are injected to the underground formation without ever being lifted to the surface.;DOWS depends on geological characteristics of the …

The Effect Of Student Self -Described Learning Styles Within Two Models Of Teaching In An Introductory Data Mining Course, Matthew A. North

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examines the roles of learning styles and teaching methodologies within a data mining educational program designed for non-Computer Science undergraduate college students. The experimental design is framed by a discussion of the history and development of data mining and education, as well as a vision for its future.;Data mining is a relatively new discipline which has grown out of the fields of database management and data warehousing, statistics, logic, and decision sciences. Over the course of its approximately 15 year history, data mining has emerged from its genesis within the academic and commercial research and development arenas to …

Model-Based Risk Assessment, Walid M. Abdelmoez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this research effort, we focus on model-based risk assessment. Risk assessment is essential in any plan intended to manage software development or maintenance process. Subjective techniques are human intensive and error-prone. Risk assessment should be based on architectural attributes that we can quantitatively measure using architectural level metrics. Software architectures are emerging as an important concept in the study and practice of software engineering nowadays, due to their emphasis on large-scale composition of software product, and to their support for emerging software engineering paradigms, such as product line engineering, component based software engineering, and software evolution.;In this dissertation, we …

Dynamic Model Of Circulating Fluidized Bed, Yue Huang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Circulating fluidized beds (CFBs) are used in many processes in the chemical industry to reduce pollution and increase efficiency. Optimization and control of CFBs are very important and require an accurate, real time, dynamic model to describe and quantify the process.;The present work focuses on modeling the transient behavior of large CFB units, whose flow characteristics were shown to yield C-shaped voidage profiles using cork as the fluidized material and air at ambient conditions.;The riser is modeled in two ways: (1) as a set of well-mixed tanks connected in series; (2) as a 1-D axisymetric cluster flow. The tanks-in-series model …

Identifying *Assessment Practices In Undergraduate Accounting Programs, Anna L. Lusher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The researcher conducted a survey of 786 baccalaureate accounting programs in the United States to determine the content and structure of their assessment plans. The study focused on five essential workplace skills: critical thinking, information literacy, oral communication, problem solving, and written communication. It examined the accounting programs and related assessment plans to determine whether the identified skills were integrated into the curriculum and were identified as learning outcomes in the assessment process. The study evaluated how faculty assess students' skills and how assessment results are used to make changes in programs and to improve student learning. The research also …

A Statistical Analysis Of Wide Binary Evolution, Kyle Burton Johnston

Theses and Dissertations

Post main sequence (MS) mass loss causes orbital separation amplification in fragile (i.e. common proper motion) binary star systems. Components typically have separations around -1000 a.u. Such wide pairs experience negligible tidal interactions and mass transfer between companions; they evolve as two separate but coeval stars. In this paper we will attempt to model how post-MS mass loss statistically distorts a frequency distribution of fragile binary separations. Understanding this process provides a robust test of current theories of stellar evolution and sets constraints on the dynamics of the Galactic disk.

“Let Every One Of Us Take His Gun And Put Himself In The Ranks”: The Louisiana Native Guard's Defiance Of Antebellum Ideas Of Gender And Race, 1861–1863, Jeremy B. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The Louisiana Native Guards are an appropriate topic for the study of the relationship between gender and race in Civil War era America. After Louisiana seceded in 1861, free men of color from New Orleans began an odyssey that led them to fight on both sides of the conflict. They eventually became the first black regiment mustered into the United States military and the only one to have black officers.

This study will attempt to demonstrate how the men of the Louisiana Native Guard helped redefine the nineteenth century ideas of manliness. Through their soldiering these men demonstrated qualities associated …

Determining Low Permeability Formation Properties From Absolute Open Flow Potential, Fatemeh Belyadi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Absolute Open Flow Potential (AOFP) is often the only productivity information available from low permeability gas formations particularly in the Appalachian Basin. Absolute Open Flow Potential (AOFP) is commonly evaluated through a single point test due to its cost effectiveness. In low permeability reservoirs, the time required for obtaining stabilized flow rate is often very long. Therefore, stabilized AOFP may not be achieved in short tests. Furthermore, most low permeability gas wells are hydraulically fractured to improve their productivity. Therefore, the post-fracture measured AOFP could be significantly influenced by fracture properties.;The objective of this was to develop a methodology to …

Ground Penetrating Radar (Gpr) Based System For Nondestructive Detection Of Interior Defects In Wooden Logs, Dayakar Devaru

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A previous study used GPR to scan logs and the scanned data was processed and analyzed using RADAN software. This data processing using RADAN software needs an expert and is time consuming. Also, the output from RADAN software cannot be used to generate manufacturing process instructions since it will be in the form of an image. For online implementation of GPR scanning, a quick automated defect detection system with numerical output is required.;To incorporate automated defect detection system, a MATLAB algorithm has been developed. Validation of the MATLAB algorithm output has been done by comparing with the results of RADAN …

Gas Turbine Control And Load Sharing Of A Shipboard Power System, Anisha M. C. Fernandes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this research is to design a controller for a gas turbine of an Electric Shipboard Power System (ESPS) and to develop a load sharing strategy for its energy management. A suitable model for the gas turbine is selected and the effects of the dynamics are investigated for the different loads of the ESPS. The gas turbine controller is a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller, whose parameters are tuned using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) technique. The load on the system has three components: a propulsion load, a pulsed load to simulate a high energy weapon system and …

Use Of Data Mining For Investigation Of Crime Patterns, Manoday D. Padhye

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Lot of research is being done to improve the utilization of crime data. This thesis deals with the design and implementation of a crime database and associated search methods to identify crime patterns from the database. The database was created in Microsoft SQL Server (back end). The user interface (front end) and the crime pattern identification software (middle tier) were implemented in ASP.NET. Such a web based approach enables the user to utilize the database from anywhere and at anytime. A general ARFF file can also be generated, for the user in Windows based format to use other Data Mining …

An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Faculty Perception Of Administrative Support And The Faculty Perceived Levels Of Implementation Of Good Teaching Practice In Distance Education, Carol L. Fugitt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The faculty perceptions of administrative support for distance education and best distance education teaching practice were investigated. Participants were selected from the 2004-2005 full-time distance education faculty at Kentucky Community and Technical College, n = 432. The researcher developed a self-report survey, the Good Practices Survey, as a means to collect data for the research. Research questions investigating the relationship between four independent variables and perception of good distance education teaching practices were significant indicating that faculty perceive administrative support when implementing good distance education teaching practice. Research questions investigating the relationship between faculty support, student support, and support for …

Personality Profiles Of Experienced U.S. Army Rotary-Wing Aviators Across Mission, Robert Grice

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Numerous studies have attempted to identify a relationship between personality traits and workplace performance. Workplace performance in this study was construed as including perceptions of congruence with the type of work and performance on the job. The Five-Factor Model (FFM) has been used to predict workplace performance across a number of vocations including aviation and the Revised NEO Personality Instrument (NEO-PI-R) is the most widely used FFM-based instrument. The NEO-PI-R has been used with commercial and military aviators to identify personality trait levels that are distinct from the general public and to predict performance in cockpit situations such as during …

Observation Of Fano Asymmetry In Raman Spectra Of Srtio3 And Cax Sr1-Xtio3 Perovskite Nanocubes, Sarbajit Banerjee, Dae In Kim, Richard D. Robinson, Irving P. Herman, Yuanbing Mao, Stanislaus S. Wong

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Bulk SrTi O3 is cubic and not expected to exhibit any first-order Raman scattering. However, nanocubes of SrTi O3 with an edge length of 80±10 nm show strong first-order Raman scattering originating from the breaking of symmetry caused by frozen surface dipoles (local tetragonality) and the presence of nanoscopic polar domains (arising from incorporated impurities). Rapid polarization fluctuations within these nanoscopic ferroelectric regions interfere with a polar phonon, resulting in a Fano-like asymmetric line shape in these SrTi O3 nanocubes, as well as in Ca0.3 Sr0.7 Ti O3 nanocubes.

Stratigraphic And Structural Analysis Of The J1 Sandstone, Scotts Bluff Trend, Scotts Bluff And Morrill Counties, Nebraska, Jeremy M. Wolpert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Scotts Bluff Trend is a group of 10 oil fields that produce from the Cretaceous J Sandstone. Production was previously thought to be aligned along this trend due to structural influence.;For this study well logs were utilized in analyzing structural and stratigraphic elements, as well as hydrocarbon predictability. The Scotts Bluff Trend appears to sit upon a residual structural high. A comprehensive look reveals that stratigraphic influence is superimposed on the structural high.;J1 Sandstone reservoirs were mapped assuming a NW--SE depositional trend. Deposition was in a shallow-marine bar environment. Central-bar, bar-margin and interbar facies are recognized which interfinger laterally into …

An Interpolation Method For Stream Habitat Assessments With Reference To The Crystal Darter, Kenneth Richard Sheehan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Crystallaria asprella spp. (Elk River crystal darter) is documented only in Elk River, West Virginia. Little life history detail is known about this lotic, benthic-dependent species. Previous studies have led to a very basic understanding of the use of depth, flow and substrate of the crystal darter (Crystallaria asprella), and less is known about the Elk River crystal darter. Due to substrate-specificity in crystal darters (which reportedly bury in sand), a study concerning benthic stream habitat modeling was undertaken. Substrate and depth modeling using >5% of an area sampled at a resolution of 0.093 m2 square spatial data in a …

Evaluation And Optimization Of Central Vision Compensation Techniques, Ahmed M. El-Sherbeeny

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Non-costly, non-invasive, safe, and reliable electronic vision enhancement systems (EVES) and their methods have presented a huge medical and industrial demand in the early 21st century. Two unique, vision compensation and enhancement algorithms are reviewed and compared, qualitatively optimizing the view of a restricted (or truncated) image. The first is described as the convex or "fish-eye" technique, and the second is the "cartoon superimposition" or "Peli" technique (after the leading author for this research). The novelty in this dissertation is in presenting and analyzing both of these with a comparison to a novel technique, motivated by characterization of quality vision …

Inventory Models For Production Systems With Constant/Linear Demand, Time Value Of Money, And Perishable/Non-Perishable Items, Karen N. Oganezov

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research considers inventory systems for economic production models where the objective is to find the optimal cycle time, which minimizes the total cost, and optimal amount of shortage if it is allowed. Several aspects such as time value of money, inflation, constant and linear demand rates, shortages, and deterioration are considered in developing different models. Closed formulas are obtained for the optimal policy in one model. For others, more complex models where closed formulas cannot be obtained, search techniques are used to find the optimal solution.;First, a deterministic inventory control problem is considered for determination of optimal production quantities …

A Comparison Of The Relative Efficiency Of Tracking Signals In Forecast Control, Balasubramanya Krishnamurthy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An important aspect of forecasting system is monitoring the process for forecast accuracy. Tracking signals test is an effective detection method for occurrence of nonrandom changes. In this research, the relative efficiency of Cumulative Sum (CUSUM), Smoothed Error, Backward CUSUM, Autocorrelation and Parabolic CUSUM tracking signals were compared according to ARL1 criterion and percentage of trips detected within N periods. For simulating response to a step, 1,000 series of demands were generated, each covering run-ins of 40 periods and 75 periods after introduction of the step. The response of tracking signals to step sizes of 1sigma, 2sigma, 3sigma and a …

An Intelligent Portfolio Management Approach To Gas Storage Field Deliverability Maintenance And Enhancement, Kazim A. Malik

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The main goal of this thesis is to modify and apply the state-of-the-art intelligent, optimum portfolio management to the gas storage field in order to optimize the return on investment associated with well remedial operations. It continues the development of a methodology for candidate selection and stimulation design and optimization using Artificial Intelligence techniques. The project used the data of an actual gas storage field to test the results.;The project data include Well-bore, Completion, Perforation, Stimulation, Well-test and Reservoir Data. The software developed in parallel with this selection methodology includes an easy to use interface that allows the user to …

An Evaluation Of Current West Virginia Specifications And Construction Methods Regarding The Density Of Hot Mix Asphalt, Andrew Rudolph

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pavement performance depends on the quality of the material, the mix design, and construction. The objectives of pavement construction are to place the material with a smooth surface, and compacted to the target density. Inadequate density permits water to enter the pavement leading to premature distress. It also can contribute to rutting as the pavement densify. A surface that is too dense is also prone to rutting.;This research evaluated methods for: measuring density, quality control, and longitudinal joint construction. Density specifications for West Virginia and surrounding states were reviewed to assess the compaction requirements for hot mix asphalt (HMA).;This research …

Scaling Tests Of The Cross Section For Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering, C. Muñpz Camacho, A. Camsonne, M. Mazouz, C. Ferdi, G. Gavalian, E. Kuchina, M. Amaryan, K. A. Aniol, M. Beaumel, H. Benaoum, D. Hayes, C. E. Hyde-Wright, H. Ibrahim, P. E. Ulmer, L. B. Weinstein

Physics Faculty Publications

We present the first measurements of the ep → epγ cross section in the deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS) regime and the valence quark region. The Q² dependence (from 1.5 to 2.3 GeV²) of the helicity-dependent cross section indicates the twist-2 dominance of DVCS, proving that generalized parton distributions (GPDs) are accessible to experiment at moderate Q². The helicity-independent cross section is also measured at Q²=2.3 GeV². We present the first model-independent measurement of linear combinations of GPDs and GPD integrals up to the twist-3 approximation.

Influential Factors Affecting The Career Success Of Professional Northern Plains Native American Males: A Qualitative Study, Adam J. Guilmino

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to better understand successful vocational experiences among Northern Plains Native American males. Most studies completed up to this point have approached the issue of Native American career exploration from a problem-based perspective. This study used a Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) methodology to examine the experiences of Native Americans who have been nominated by their tribal community as career successful members of their community.

Eight male members of two North Dakota Native American tribes were interviewed using semi-structured qualitative interview protocol. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for domains and categories. Eight domains emerged from the …

Teacher Preparation Reform Efforts: Perceptions Of School Leaders And Teacher Educators, Ann Beste-Guldborg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of teacher educators and school leaders regarding various proposed reform recommendations to the field of teacher preparation. School leaders and teacher educators, employed at public institutions in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana were surveyed. Data were analyzed statistically to determine differences in perceptions between groups.

The findings of the study indicate that school leaders and teacher educators agreed more often than not regarding the importance of the various reform recommendations. Among the differences between groups, school leaders favored accountability measures and alignment with K-12 standards while teacher educators preferred advancing …

North Dakota Dual Credit: Initial Impact 1997-2004, Anita K. Decker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of enrollment in North Dakota’s dual credit program on the students who had been enrolled from Fall 1997 through Spring 2004. Participants are identified by gender, by year in school, by courses taken for dual credit, and by high school size. Analysis of post-high school college entry data by matriculation, graduation, and grade point average are included.

Dual credit students took over 12,000 courses from the eleven public colleges in the North Dakota University System and from five nonpublic or out-of-state colleges. Students were divided between seniors, who took 9836 …

Two-Loop Bethe Logarithms For Non- S Levels, Ulrich D. Jentschura

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Two-loop Bethe logarithms are calculated for excited P and D states in hydrogenlike systems, and estimates are presented for all states with higher angular momenta. These results complete our knowledge of the P and D energy levels in hydrogen at the order of α⁸ m_ec², where me is the electron mass and c is the speed of light, and scale as Z⁶, where Z is the nuclear charge number. Our analytic and numerical calculations are consistent with the complete absence of logarithmic terms of order (απ)² (Zα)⁶ ln [(Zα)^-2] …

Differential Electron Emission For Single And Multiple Ionization Of Argon By 500 Ev Positrons, Jared M. Gavin, Robert D. Dubois, O. G. De Lucio

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Triply differential electron emission cross sections are measured for single ionization of argon by 500 eV positrons. Data are presented for coincidences between projectiles scattered into angles of 3° and electrons with emission energies less than 10 eV that are observed between 45 and 135° along the beam direction. For interpretation, these are compared to cosine squared representations of the binary and recoil lobes which are convoluted over experimental parameters. Singly differential electron emission data for double and triple ionization by positrons are also presented.

Teaching Music Theory In The Traditional Wind Band Rehearsal: A Rationale, Survey Of Materials, And Recommendations, Eric Lynn Harris

Dissertations

Band programs in today’s schools are facing pressures unheard of in the early days of the public school band movement. While budget limitations have always been a part of the public school dilemma, never before have directors been forced to fight so hard for the very existence of their programs. School administrators facing district, state, and federal testing pressures are spending more and more of the annual budget in an attempt to raise test scores. This means programs in the arts and even athletics are being greatly reduced (and in some cases eliminated) in school systems across the country. To …

Regulation Of A Dna-Compacting Plastid Nucleoid Protein, Steven William Adamson

Dissertations

DCP68, a DNA-compacting nucleoid protein, was further characterized in order to understand how plastid nucleoid proteins affect the structure and function of chloroplast DNA. Previously, DCP68 was identified as ferredoxin: sulfite reductase, an enzyme that participates in reductive sulfur assimilation and inhibits chloroplast DNA replication and transcription in vitro [1, 2]. In this study, the portion of SiR that was found to be present in soluble and plastid nucleoid-enriched fractions indicated that most SiR was stromal in Arabidopsis and soybean plants. Although SiR was detected in Arabidopsis chloroplast nucleoid-enriched fractions, the study of nucleoid dynamics proved to be difficult due …

Autocad/Art: A Happy Medium, Christopher Grisby

Theses and Dissertations

Many artistic students struggle in computer-aided drafting (CADr) courses because they are unable to relate to the software and/or assignments, while technical students miss out on their own design and inventiveness because of the same software and assignments. This independent study is a project design with the purpose to demonstrate how AutoCAD® can be used as an artistic tool in creating two-dimensional portraits. Auto Desk's AutoCAD® is a standard program used in drafting courses to produce mechanical and architectural drawings. The specific goal of the study was to produce a practical model outlining the details of the AutoCAD@/art project so …