Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of Extratropical Transition Of Cyclones In The North Atlantic Ocean Using Geostationary Satellite Imagery, Amy Rebecca Wood

Theses and Dissertations

Tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin often undergo a process called extratropical transition (ET) and transform from warm-core to cold-core systems while retaining strong winds, heavy rainfall, and large ocean waves. Infrared satellite imagery from channels 2 and 4 of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) were used to examine key structural changes, synoptic interactions, and loss of deep centered convection in order to determine onset and completion of ET. The primary indicator for ET onset in 75% of cases was found to be a persistent increase in storm asymmetry along with the appearance of warm frontogenesis in its northern …

Swinburne And Catholicism: Unifying The Flesh And The Spirit, James Daniel Gillespie

Theses and Dissertations

Many efforts have been made by nineteenth and twentieth-century critics alike to classify Charles Algernon Swinburne’s Poems and Ballads (1866) as blatantly sacrilegious. This evaluative approach, however, fails to account for the thematic significance of Swinburne’s nuanced use of Christian imagery. Through a reading of three representative poems from the collection – “Dolores,” “Anactoria,” and “Laus Veneris” – this thesis demonstrates that Swinburne appropriates the Catholic concepts of transubstantiation, confession, and suffering for a specific aesthetic purpose. In the Catholic tradition, these concepts symbolically represent a unification of ostensibly antithetical states to achieve transcendence. For instance, the doctrine of transubstantiation …

Techniques To Aid In Switchgrass Establishment From Seed, Jason Brett Rushing

Theses and Dissertations

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a native warm-season grass where weed control during establishment is a limiting factor for stand. Objectives of this research are to develop a herbicide resistant cultivar and to test a variety of seed safeners to improve first year growth. Phenotypic recurrent selection (PRS) was used to select ‘Alamo’ switchgrass seedlings that showed resistance to imazapic herbicide at 245 g a.i./ha. Initial screenings of 364, 650 seedlings resulted in 63 survivors, a selection intensity of 0.0172%. Subsequent testing of the next generation of seedlings indicated that multiple generations of selection were needed in order to transfer greater …

The Effectiveness Of Distance Education For Computer Application Software Instruction Versus The Cost Of Development And Implementation, Martha Anne Brock

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if various types of distance education formats would be suitable for conducting a training course for a computer application. The study sought to determine if a face-toace format, interactive video format, minimally interactive online format or highly interactive and multimedia rich online format produced similar results in student performance in a training course for a computer application. The secondary purpose of this study was to determine if the increased cost of development of a highly interactive and multimedia rich online format was justified based on observed differences in student achievement in …

Long-Term Benefits Of Head Start: Evidence From The Panel Study Of Income Dynamics, Matthew Terrill Alford

Theses and Dissertations

Cross-sectional and geographical data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics were combined with school-district level data from the Census Bureau’s F-33 Survey of Local Government. Use of this unique dataset, allows for the examination of the longterm effects of preschool participation while controlling for the quality of schooling encountered post-program. Former Head Start participants report better health status than individuals with no preschool experience or experience in preschools other than Head Start. Individuals who attended these other preschools outperformed the Head Start group when it came to high school graduation and overall educational attainment. No differences were detected in …

Molecular And Biochemical Role Of Auxin And Cytokinin In Dedifferentiation And Organogenesis Of Arabidopsis, Aparna Kakani

Theses and Dissertations

Cell dedifferentiation is a cell fate regression process in which the cell fate memory of a differentiated cell is erased, leading to regain stem cell characteristics. Auxin regulates both cell dedifferentiation and differentiation in plants. It is unknown how auxin controls the two opposite processes. Here the minimal auxin requirements for cell dedifferentiation were found, molecular markers associated with the cell dedifferentiation event were identified. When cellular auxin concentration exceeds the level of meristem cell, most differentiated cells undergo dedifferentiation. In differentiated cells, the polar auxin efflux system prevents cell dedifferentiation by reducing auxin accumulation, particularly in the presence of …

Movements, Relatedness And Modeled Genetic Manipulation Of White-Tailed Deer, Stephen Lance Webb

Theses and Dissertations

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have been intensively studied across their range. However, many aspects of the white-tailed deer’s ecology have not been studied or are difficult to study. The advent of global positioning system (GPS) collar technology and molecular genetics techniques now allows researchers to collect fine-scale and cryptic phenomena. In addition, selective harvest of male white-tailed deer, based on antler size, has not been critically evaluated. Thus, development and use of quantitative genetics models will be useful for elucidating the effects of selective harvest on mean population antler size. I used GPS collar technology to further understand white-tailed deer …

Obstacle Array Drag Coefficient Parametric Response Surface Analysis, Mouthgalya Ganapathy

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout literature, one finds where numerous methodologies and models have been developed to predict the effect of surface roughness on a flat surface. Many of the models utilize a drag coefficient as one of the necessary parameters. In urban settings with groups of buildings, the drag coefficient on an individual obstacle would be determined by parameters like wind direction and the relative positioning of a building, in addition to Reynolds number and shape. Computational experiments were performed to simulate the fluid flow around a single row and two rows of “cube” obstacles. Based on dimensional analysis, the drag coefficient was …

Evaluation Of Lighter Density Fraction From Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles As A Feedstuff For Ruminants, Jonathan Michael Greene

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the lighter fraction of DDGS as a possible feedstuff for cattle. To accomplish this, a digestion trial was performed to determine nutrient digestibility and crude protein retention by steers consuming the lighter fraction of DDGS. Steers received L, a diet containing the lighter fraction of DDGS, D, a diet containing whole DDGS, or C, a control diet. Steers receiving L consumed less DM than steers receiving D and C. CP retention and digestibilities of DM, OM, ash, NDF, ADF, HC, and energy did not differ among steers in different treatment groups. Fat …

Evaluation Of The Convergent Validity Of The Functional Assessment Informant Record For Parents--Checklist With Other Functional Behavior Assessment Measures With Referred Children In A Clinic-Based Setting, Jennifer S. Kazmerski

Theses and Dissertations

Functional behavioral assessment (FBA) is defined as a range of behavior assessment procedures that are used to identify or clarify functional relationships between behavior and environmental events. A variety of methods and instruments are used within a FBA (e.g., record reviews, interviews, rating scales, direct observations, experimental analysis conditions) and the increased awareness of this methodology has created interest in properly investigating the psychometric properties (e.g., reliability, validity) of the measures. Preliminary convergent validity has been demonstrated across some of the measures used to identify functional relationships; however, further evaluation is needed to establish the psychometric properties as well as …

Factors And Perceptions That Affect Enrollment In Career And Technical Education Programs In Rural East Central Mississippi, Aimee Chandler Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the factors and perceptions that affect enrollment in career and technical education (CTE) programs in rural East Central Mississippi. Specifically, the study had four key purposes. First, the academic grades of CTE students and non-CTE students were examined to determine whether academic grades differ significantly between the CTE enrollers and non-CTE enrollers. Secondly, the study determined the perceptions that students in rural East Central Mississippi have toward CTE programs. Next, the study examined the internal and external factors that cause students to enroll or not enroll in a CTE program. Finally, …

Fatigue Evaluation Criteria For Aged Hot-Mix Asphalt Surfaces, Haley P. Bell

Theses and Dissertations

An evaluation of aged hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements was accomplished to develop a method for improving the prediction of remaining fatigue life of aged HMA surfaces. This is important for both planning Department of Defense airfield maintenance funds and for predicting the performance of operating surfaces in the theater of operation. This study involved the evaluation of HMA at several military airfields. After field inspections and field testing, slab samples were carried to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center for laboratory testing. Laboratory testing included the determination of mixture and binder properties, indirect tensile strength tests on cored …

Fusion Of Spectral Reflectance And Derivative Information For Robust Hyperspectral Land Cover Classification, Hemanth Reddy Kalluri

Theses and Dissertations

Developments in sensor technology have made high resolution hyperspectral remote sensing data available to the remote sensing analyst for ground cover classification and target recognition tasks. Further, with limited ground-truth data in many real-life operating scenarios, such hyperspectral classification systems often employ dimensionality reduction algorithms. In this thesis, the efficacy of spectral derivative features for hyperspectral analysis is studied. These studies are conducted within the context of both single and multiple classifier systems. Finally, a modification of existing classification techniques is proposed and tested on spectral reflectance and derivative features that adapts the classification systems to the characteristics of the …

Ged Students Versus Traditional High School Students: How Do The Ged Graduates Perform After The First Semester Of Attendance At A Rural Community College?, Ericka Akins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if freshman students based on their age, ethnicity, and gender who enter a community college with a GED credential will have a higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) after their first semester than traditional high school graduates. Findings from this study will aid individuals in developing a more accurate perception of the academic abilities of GED graduates. The academic performance of GED graduates was compared with traditional high school graduates after their first semester at a rural community college in the Fall 2007 semester. Intact data from the students f academic records …

Gamma-Ray Bursts: New Parameters For Measuring Energy Dependent Spectral Lag Times, Phillip Jefferson Durst

Theses and Dissertations

A new method for measuring the hardness-intensity correlation (HIC) present in gamma-ray bursts (GRB) is developed. This method is used to measure the HIC for 100 single-peak gamma-ray bursts, 17 with known redshifts. The HIC is thus shown to be a consequence of energy-dependent lag times between hard and soft photons. Parameters derived from time profile fits using a modified double sigmoidal function are used to calculate a new set of lag time parameters for bursts, and these parameters are analyzed statistically to look for correlations with intrinsic GRB properties. This analysis shows that GRB red shift is related to …

Labrat™: Miniature Robot For Students, Researchers, And Hobbyists, Paul Robinette, Ryan Meuth, Ryanne Dolan, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

LabRat™ is an autonomous, self-contained mobile robot kit with batteries, motors, two bumper whisker sensors, and three infrared proximity sensors that double as channels for "Rat-to-Rat" communication. the vehicle determines its position with an optical sensor that detects movement in both lateral directions. the LabRat™ design is completely open source, including software examples and libraries. LabRat™ is designed to fit inside the body of a computer mouse and has applications in the classroom, the lab and the home. the device has been successfully used in an undergraduate robotics class. © 2009 IEEE.

Investigation Of The Mechanical Properties Of Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Diacrylate By Nanoindentation Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Zouheir Drira

Theses and Dissertations

Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel based polymers are among the most widely used synthetic materials for biomedical applications. Because of their biocompatibility, and ease of fabrication, hydrogels are highly suitable for use as constructs to engineer tissues as well as for cell transplantation. A critical parameter of importance for PEG hydrogels is their mechanical properties which are highly dependent on the environmental conditions. Properties of PEG-based hydrogels can be engineered to resemble scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix molecules, which provide structural support, adhesive sites and mechanical as well as biomechanical signals to most cells. The mechanical properties of these synthetic …

Cal Poly Orchesis Dance Company To Present ‘Continuum’ Jan. 29-Feb.6, Public Affairs Office

Press Releases

No abstract provided.

Modeling Molecular Transport And Binding Interactions In Intervertebral Disc, Francesco Travascio

Open Access Dissertations

Low back pain represents a significant concern in the United States, with 70% of individuals experiencing symptoms at some point in their lifetime. Although the specific cause of low back pain remains unclear, symptoms have been strongly associated with degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Insufficient nutritional supply to the disc is believed to be a major mechanism for tissue degeneration. Understanding nutrients' transport in intervertebral disc is crucial to elucidate the mechanisms of disc degeneration, and to develop strategies for tissue repair (in vivo), and tissue engineering (in vitro). Transport in intervertebral disc is complex and involves a series of …

Master Plan For The City Of Manchester, New Hampshire, Adopted By The Planning Board December 10, 2009., Manchester Planning Board, Manchester Planning And Community Development Department

Manchester Research Group

Manchester, N.H. master plan, providing a 10-15 year vision for the city.

Amirov V. Atty Gen Usa

2009 Decisions

Agency

Research In Semantic Web And Information Retrieval: Trust, Sensors, And Search, Krishnaprasad Thirunarayan

Kno.e.sis Publications

No abstract provided.

The Statesman, V. 53, I. 25, Stony Brook University

Stony Brook Statesman-Sucolian

v. 53, i. 25

The Setonian, December 10, 2009, Seton Hall University

2009

No abstract provided.

Absolute Dimensions Of The G7+K7 Eclipsing Binary Star Im Virginis: Discrepancies With Stellar Evolution Models, Juan Carlos Morales, Guillermo Torres, Laurence A. Marschall, William C. Brehm

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report extensive spectroscopic and differential photometric BVRI observations of the active, detached, 1.309-day double-lined eclipsing binary IMVir, composed of a G7-type primary and a K7 secondary.With these observations, we derive accurate absolute masses and radii of M1 = 0.981 + 0.012M, M2 = 0.6644 + 0.0048M, R1 = 1.061 + 0.016R, and R2 = 0.681 + 0.013R for the primary and secondary, with relative errors under 2%. The effective temperatures are 5570 + 100 K and 4250 + 130 K, respectively. The significant difference in mass makes this a favorable case for comparison with stellar evolution theory.We find that …

Holy Cross Magazine, Vol. 44, No. 1, Winter 2010, College Of The Holy Cross

Holy Cross Magazine

Love on the Hill
Three couples, three generations, three charming stories of true romance that started—each in their own unique way— right here on Mount St. James. Plus: A revealing Q&A inter- view with Sr. Lucille Cormier, S.A.S.V., who has led more than 400 couples from “I will!” to “I do!” in her 12 years as Holy Cross wedding coordinator
By Rebecca Smith ’99

The Science of Doing
Students thrive in the Summer Research Program, where unique side-by-side experience with faculty boosts their post-College plans
By Kathleen S. Carr ’96
Photos by Dan Vaillancourt

Three-Way Win
Internships Benefit Students, Alumni, …

Kiyemba V. Obama: Brief Of Amici Curiae Law Professors In Support Of Petitioners, Reuven S. Avi-Yonah

Appellate Briefs

Amici curiae are the immigration and constitutional law professors whose individual names appear in the Appendix to this Brief. Amici have expertise in the constitutional law of the United States relating to immigration and due process, as well as the statutes and rules governing entry, admission, detention and parole of non-citizens in the United States. With the consent of the parties, we offer our views on the historical and contemporary meaning of several major decisions of this Court, including Shaughnessy v. United States ex rel. Mezei ("Mezei"), 345 U.S. 206 (1953), Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678 …

The Advocate, December 10, 2009, Minnesota State University Moorhead

The Advocate

No abstract provided.

Nonsingular Ekpyrotic/Cyclic Model In Loop Quantum Cosmology, Thomas Cailleteau, Parampreet Singh, Kevin Vandersloot

Faculty Publications

We study the role of nonperturbative quantum gravity effects in the ekpyrotic/cyclic model using the effective framework of loop quantum cosmology in the presence of anisotropies. We show that quantum geometric modifications to the dynamical equations near the Planck scale as understood in the quantization of Bianchi-I spacetime in loop quantum cosmology lead to the resolution of classical singularity and result in a nonsingular transition of the Universe from the contracting to the expanding branch. In the Planck regime, the Universe undergoes multiple small bounces and the anisotropic shear remains bounded throughout the evolution. A novel feature, which is absent …

Strong Field Double Ionization Of H2: Insights From Nonlinear Dynamics, F. Mauger, C. Chandre, T. Uzer

Faculty Publications

The uncorrelated ("sequential") and correlated ("nonsequential") double ionization of the H2 molecule in strong laser pulses is investigated using tools of nonlinear dynamics. We focus on the phase-space dynamics of this system, specifically by finding the dynamical structures that regulate these ionization processes. The emerging picture complements the recollision scenario by clarifying the distinct roles played by the recolliding and core electrons. Our analysis leads to verifiable predictions of the intensities where qualitative changes in ionization occur. We also show how these findings depend on the internuclear distance. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.