Digital Commons Network^™

The Modification, System Software Development, Validation, And Clinical Trial Of A Novel Ankle Stiffness Testing Device, T. Tyler Clement

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this project is to modify, validate, and gather preliminary clinical data on a novel ankle stiffness device that measures stiffness (torque / degree) and range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint complex (AJC). The initial device was designed by a mechanical engineering design group at Louisiana State University in 2006, but had not been tested on human participants. Clinical evaluation of the ankle joint is important in patients afflicted with diabetes mellitus, Hansen’s disease, or peripheral neuropathies. The combination of peripheral neuropathies, decreased ankle range of motion, and increased stiffness pose a threat to these patients, …

Framework For Operability Assessment Of Production Facilities: An Application To A Primary Unit Of A Crude Oil Refinery, Sampath Yela

LSU Master's Theses

This work focuses on the development of a methodology for the optimization, control and operability of both existing and new production facilities through an integrated environment of different technologies like process simulation, optimization and control systems. Such an integrated environment not only creates opportunities for op¬erational decision making but also serves as training tool for the novice engineers. It enables them to apply engineering expertise to solve challenges unique to the process industries in a safe and virtual environment and also assist them to get familiarize with the existing control systems and to understand the fundamentals of the plant operation. …

Supercritical Fluid Extraction And Analysis Of Plant Oils, Tianchuan Du

LSU Master's Theses

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L.) seed, heartwood of Port-Orford cedar (POC) (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), Alaska yellow cedar (AYC) (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), and Eastern red cedar (ERC) (Juniperus virginiana L), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum L. Roxb. ) seed was investigated in this study and compared with other extraction methods. For the oxeye daisy seed extraction, Soxhlet extraction (SE) with hexane, microwave assisted extraction (MAE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) were conducted. The results showed that as the extraction temperature decreased from 100 °C, the extraction rate increased until 30 °C using SFE. With an increase of extraction …

M. Effects Of Land Use And Habitat On Stream Fish Assemblages In Tributaries Of The Lower Bogue Chitto Watershed, Washington Parish, Louisiana, Brian Michael Ward

LSU Master's Theses

My research focused on how fish communities are responding to watershed land use and instream habitat in tributaries of the Lower Bogue Chitto River. To address this question I electrofished and seined 10 sites in four tributaries of the Bogue Chitto River a total of 4 times each over the course of 15 months in 2007 and 2008. I characterized habitat by measuring water flow, water depth, substrate size, woody debris, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, and quantified heterotrophic plate counts, nutrients, and chlorophyll a concentrations at the end of the sampling period each year. Watershed land cover was measured with …

Introduction To Common Native And Potential Invasive Freshwater Plants In Alaska, Vanessa Howard Morgan, Mark Sytsma

Center for Lakes and Reservoirs Publications and Presentations

Freshwater aquatic plants are found in most lakes and rivers in Alaska. They range from tiny floating plants that can form mats on a lake surface to emergent plants growing two meters above the water. Aquatic plants are an important part of freshwater environments. They provide food and shelter for a wide variety of insects, fish, mammals, and birds; stabilize shorelines; and form an important link in nutrient cycles. To date, Alaska has had relatively few problems with invasive, non-native aquatic plants. However, invasive aquatic plants pose an increasing threat to human safety and the integrity of native aquatic communities. …

Student Teachers’ Achievement In Science In The Light Of Some Variables, Mohammed Ai-Shargi

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

This study aimed at determining the science achievement level of Teachers Colleges' students & its relation to the GPA, the General Secondary School grade, the College & the academic level. To achieve this purpose, an achievement test of 60 items was developed & administered to a sample of 529 college students. The study results were as follows:1. Students’ achievement in science subjects was low.2. There were statistically significant differences between colleges in the overall test mean scores & the Biology Test mean scores in favor of AI-Baha Teachers College.3. There were statistically significant differences between colleges in the Chemistry Test …

Inverse Scattering Solutions With Applications To Electromagnetic Signal Processing, Jonathan Blackledge, Timo Hamalainen, Jyrki Joutsensalo

Articles

When a signal is recorded that has been physically generated by some scattering process (the interaction of electromagnetic, acoustic or elastic waves with inhomogeneous materials, for example), the ‘standard model’ for the signal (i.e. information content convolved with a characteristic Impulse Response Function) is usually based on a single scattering approximation. An additive noise term is introduced into the model to take into account a range of non-deterministic factors including multiple scattering that, along with electronic noise and other background noise sources, is assumed to be relatively weak. Thus, the standard model is based on a ‘weak field condition’ and …

A Phenomenographic Study Of Introductory Physics Students: Approaches To Problem Solving And Conceptualisation Of Knowledge., Laura Walsh

Doctoral

This phenomenographic study presents a description of the approaches to problem solving and conceptualisation of physics knowledge of introductory physics students, specifically in the context of the Irish higher education system. Much research has been carried out that has shown that physics students are not developing the conceptual knowledge necessary to become adept problem-solvers. This may be due to the traditional physics education assumption that students will develop an understanding of the conceptual nature of physics by repetitively solving quantitative problems. However, research has shown that this is not the case and that education and the curriculum needs to explicitly …

Holographic Liquid Crystal Devices, Kotakonda Pavani

Doctoral

Liquid crystals have become natural candidates for use in electro-optic devices for their ability to change the orientation of the director with the application of an electric field, and exhibiting large range of refractive index. The aim of the work presented in this thesis is to fabricate liquid crystal optoelectronic devices such as electrically switchable liquid crystal diffraction gratings and polarization rotators by exploiting the holographic surface relief effect in photopolymer and by developing novel polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs). Alignment of liquid crystals is commercially achieved by creating grooves on a conducting layer such as polyimide or indium tin …

Three-Dimensional Spatial Information Systems: State Of The Art Review, Bianca Schoen-Phelan, D. Laefer, S. W. Morrish, M. Bertolotto

Articles

A spatial information system (SIS) is critical to the hosting, querying, and analyzing of spatial data sets. The increasing availability of three-dimensional (3D) data (e.g. from aerial and terrestrial laser scanning) and the desire to use such data in large geo-spatial platforms have been dual drivers in the evolution of integrated SISs. Within this context, recent patents demonstrate efforts to handle large data sets, especially complex point clouds. While the development of feature-rich geo-systems has been well documented, the implementation of support for 3D capabilities is only now being addressed. This paper documents the underlying technologies implemented for the support …

Framing Gender: Federal Appellate Judges' Choices About Gender-Neutral Language, Judith D. Fischer

University of San Francisco Law Review

This Article provides background about the meaning of the terms gender-biased and gender-neutral and discusses the contemporary movement to promote gender-neutral language, explains why genderneutral language is important, suggests methods for framing gender-neutral language, and discusses implications and conclusions.

Invisible Borders: Mapping Out Virtual Law, Kathleen Claussen

Denver Journal of International Law & Policy

No abstract provided.

Creationism And Intelligent Design, Brian Macdonald

Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies

The debate over how to address the origins of life in American schools has been ongoing for almost a century. Proponents of creationism and intelligent design have used several different strategies in order to make sure their views are taught, and each time they have been struck down by the Supreme Court. This paper will analyze the three distinct forms the debate has taken, from attempts to ban outright the teaching of evolution, to the teaching of some form of creation-science alongside evolution, to attempts to “disclaim” evolution as it is taught. In its decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court has …

Doc 2008-01 The Common Academic Program, University Of Dayton. Common Academic Program Committee

Senate Documents

Official document of the Academic Senate of the University of Dayton.

Trusting In The 'Efficacy Of Beauty': A Kalocentric Approach To Moral Philosophy, Brian G. Henning

Philosophy Faculty Scholarship

Although debates over carbon taxes and trading schemes, over carbon offsets and compact fluorescents are important, our efforts to address the environmental challenges that we face will fall short unless and until we also set about the difficult work of reconceiving who we are and how we are related to our processive cosmos. What is needed, I argue, are new ways of thinking and acting grounded in new ways of understanding ourselves and our relationship to the world, ways of understanding that recognize our fundamental interdependence and interconnection with everyone and everything in the cosmos, ways of understanding that recognize …

Mcquade Messenger- Winter 2009, Merrimack College

McQuade Messenger

Triannual newsletter outlining the activities, events, hours, features, and resources available at McQuade Library. Winter 2009, 5 pages.

Proteins In Silico-Modeling And Sampling, Parimal Kar

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Proteins are linear chain molecules made out of amino acids. Only when they fold to their native states, they become functional. This dissertation aims to model the solvent (environment) effect and to develop & implement enhanced sampling methods that enable a reliable study of the protein folding problem in silico.

We have developed an enhanced solvation model based on the solution to the Poisson-Boltzmann equation in order to describe the solvent effect. Following the quantum mechanical Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM), we decomposed net solvation free energy into three physical terms– Polarization, Dispersion and Cavitation. All the terms were implemented, analyzed …

Controlling Electronic And Magnetic Properties Of Ultra Narrow Multilayered Nanowires, Puspamitra Panigrahi

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Interest in the study of magnetic/non-magnetic multilayered structures took a giant leap since Grünberg and his group established that the interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) is a function of the non-magnetic spacer width. This interest was further fuelled by the discovery of the phenomenal Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. In fact, in 2007 Albert Fert and Peter Grünberg were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their contribution to the discovery of GMR. GMR is the key property that is being used in the read-head of the present day computer hard drive as it requires a high sensitivity in the detection of …

Development Of Specifications For The Superpave Simple Performance Tests, Shu Wei Goh

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

This study describes the development and establishment of a proposed Simple Performance Test (SPT) specification in order to contribute to the asphalt materials technology in the state of Michigan. The properties and characteristic of materials, performance testing of specimens, and field analyses are used in developing draft SPT specifications. These advanced and more effective specifications should significantly improve the qualities of designed and constructed hot mix asphalt (HMA) leading to improvement in pavement life in Michigan. The objectives of this study include the following: 1) using the SPT, conduct a laboratory study to measure the parameters including the dynamic modulus …

Hall-Effect Thruster-Cathode Coupling : The Effect Of Cathode Position And Magnetic Field Topology, Jason D. Sommerville

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Hall-effect thruster (HET) cathodes are responsible for the generation of the free electrons necessary to initiate and sustain the main plasma discharge and to neutralize the ion beam. The position of the cathode relative to the thruster strongly affects the efficiency of thrust generation. However, the mechanisms by which the position affects the efficiency are not well understood. This dissertation explores the effect of cathode position on HET efficiency. Magnetic field topology is shown to play an important role in the coupling between the cathode plasma and the main discharge plasma. The position of the cathode within the magnetic field …

A-State Celebrates Contributions To Science By Darwin, Lincoln, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

China And Global Climate Change : Proceedings Of The Conference Held At Lingnan University, Hong Kong, 18-19 June 2009, Paul G. Harris

Centre for Asian Pacific Studies (CAPS) : Book Publications

The conference on China and Global Climate Change was held at Lingnan University, Hong Kong, from 18-19 June 2009. About 100 scholars from around the world participated in the conference. They served in various capacities, including as presenters, researchers, paper writers and/or discussants. The conference was jointly organized and sponsored by Lingnan University's Centre for Asian Pacific Studies (CAPS) and its Environmental Studies Programme (ESP). The objective of the conference was to examine the problem of how to reconcile China's growing greenhouse gas emissions with the Chinese government's unwillingness (so far) to join binding international commitments to reduce those emissions. …

Secondary National Board Candidates And Attitudes Toward Assessment: A Qualitative Study, Vincent Aleccia

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This study investigated the impact that National Board certification had on the assessment practice of secondary candidates in Eastern Washington. The study was framed by three research questions: (a) To what extent do National Board candidates think about the place of assessment in their classroom practice before they begin the process? (b) Does the National Board certification process impact their beliefs about assessment so that they see assessment in a different light by the time they complete the process? (c) Do teachers who have undergone the National Board certification process change the type of assessments used in their classroom practice …

The Relationship Between Student Outcomes And Parental Involvement In Multidisciplinary Iep Team Meetings, David M. Poponi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that each special education student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed at least once every year. In addition to school staff, regulations require that parents be invited to the IEP meetings. This study retrospectively reviewed the records of 270 students with educational disabilities in grades six through twelve. Demographic and descriptive data were gathered for each student and were separated according to whether the parent did or did not attend the IEP meeting. End-of-year information was examined regarding final report card grades, absenteeism, and cumulative days of detentions and suspensions. Of these …

Beliefs And Practices Of Expert Respiratory Care Faculty On Critical-Thinking Learning: A Case Study, James Leland Hulse

Dissertations

Problem. The development of critical-thinking skills during the professional training of respiratory therapists is imperative for good practice. Research evidence suggests that interactive instructional strategies are far more effective than traditional lectures. Missing from the literature are thick descriptions of how faculty organize the delivery of respiratory therapy curriculum to develop critical thinking. This case study describes the beliefs and practices of faculty members in an academically strong program in view of developing critical thinking.

Method. A qualitative, single case-study design was used to identify critical-thinking strategies and beliefs incorporated by the faculty. The program was nominated by expert members …

Historical Geography Of Yellagonga Regional Park, Western Australia, Susan Ujma

Theses : Honours

The principle aim of this study was to reconstruct the land use history of the Yellagonga Regional Park wetland landscape. Located approximately twenty kilometres north of Perth, covering about 1400 hectares, the Park lies within the North-West Corridor of the metropolitan area. This research, assisted by archival sources, demonstrates that prior to early European settlement the Yellagonga wetlands were quintessential summer hunting and gathering sites for the Nyoongar Aboriginal people. The wetlands were utilised for water, food gathering, hunting, corroborees and rituals that governed their tribal lives. Early European settlers, market gardeners, and later subdivision for urban development, have adversely …

Setting Targets For Resource Condition In Yilliminning Catchment, Leon Van Wyk, Gregory Paul Raper

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Groups As Graphs, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

Through this book, for the first time we represent every finite group in the form of a graph. The authors choose to call these graphs as identity graph, since the main role in obtaining the graph is played by the identity element of the group. This study is innovative because through this description one can immediately look at the graph and say the number of elements in the group G which are self-inversed. Also study of different properties like the subgroups of a group, normal subgroups of a group, p-sylow subgroups of a group and conjugate elements of a group …

Computer Program For Analysis, Design And Optimization Of Propulsion, Dynamics, And Kinematics Of Multistage Rockets, Mehdi Lali

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Your Tax Dollars At Work (Reviewing Claire A. Culleton And Karen Leick Eds., Modernism On File: Writers, Artists, And The Fbi, 1920-1950), Robert Spoo

Articles, Chapters in Books and Other Contributions to Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.