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2012

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Linear Precoding Of Finite Alphabet Signals In Multi-Antenna Broadcast Channels, Yongpeng Wu, Mingxi Wang, Chengshan Xiao, Zhi Ding, Xiqi Gao Dec 2012

Linear Precoding Of Finite Alphabet Signals In Multi-Antenna Broadcast Channels, Yongpeng Wu, Mingxi Wang, Chengshan Xiao, Zhi Ding, Xiqi Gao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We investigate the design of linear transmit precoding for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channels (BC) with finite alphabet input signals. We derive an explicit expression for the achievable rate region of the MIMO BC with discrete constellation inputs, which is generally applicable to cases involving arbitrary user number and arbitrary antenna configurations. for the case where all the users employ the same modulation scheme, we further present a weighted sum rate upper-bound of the MIMO BC with identical transmit precoding matrices. the resulting bound demonstrates a serious performance loss due to multi-user interference for MIMO BC with finite alphabet inputs …

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The Impact Of Edward Perry Warren On The Study And Collections Of Greek And Roman Antiquities In American Academia., James Murley 1947- Dec 2012

The Impact Of Edward Perry Warren On The Study And Collections Of Greek And Roman Antiquities In American Academia., James Murley 1947-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation assesses the influence of Edward Perry Warren (1860- 1928) on the development of collegiate collections of Greek and Roman art and the rise of art history and archaeology in elite academic institutions in the United States. It employs archival research to explore Warren's motivations for acquiring thousands of antiquities which he sold or gave to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and six collegiate museums and study collections. Organized into six chapters, this multidisciplinary dissertation describes Warren's roles at these institutions. It highlights antiquities that have figured prominently in scholarship and that demonstrate the range and variety of …

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The Role Of Community College-Based Transfer Programming In Transfer Student Success., Kathren Teresa Partin Dec 2012

The Role Of Community College-Based Transfer Programming In Transfer Student Success., Kathren Teresa Partin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

More students now begin their postsecondary education at the two-year college level with the intention of transferring to earn a bachelor's degree, making the transfer function more important. Recent government mandates in Kentucky brought about new programming efforts to aid student transitions between public institutions. This study was designed to determine whether the University of Louisville (ULtra) Transfer Program, designed as a bridge between Jefferson Community and Technical College and the University of Louisville (UofL), played a significant role in community college students' successful academic transition to the four-year institution. Participants of this study were 227 community college students who …

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The Ilkhanid Mongols, The Christian Armenians, And The Islamic Mamluks : A Study Of Their Relations, 1220-1335., Lauren Prezbindowski Dec 2012

The Ilkhanid Mongols, The Christian Armenians, And The Islamic Mamluks : A Study Of Their Relations, 1220-1335., Lauren Prezbindowski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work seeks to fill a gap in the academic literature concerning the study of the Ilkhanid Mongols of the Middle East during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries CE using Armenian, Persian, Arabic, and Syriac primary sources in English translation. This study will analyze the triangular relationship among the Ilkhanid Mongols, the Kingdom of Cilician Armenia and Greater Armenia, and the Egyptian Mamluks to discern the Ilkhanate's impact in the Middle East. Although the Armenians became subjects of the Mongols, they did not gain many benefits from this partnership. In fact, their relationship proved to be overwhelmingly negative. Although the …

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Role Based Access Control And Authentication For Scada Field Devices Using A Dual Bloom Filter And Challenge-Response., Jacob Schreiver Dec 2012

Role Based Access Control And Authentication For Scada Field Devices Using A Dual Bloom Filter And Challenge-Response., Jacob Schreiver

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems are networked control systems used in many critical infrastructure areas such as power water and transportation. Many of these systems continue to use legacy field devices that lack cyber security features. The field device security preprocessor is a bump-in-the-wire security solution of legacy field devices. This thesis describes the design and analysis of a dual Bloom filter structure for use in a field device security preprocessor. A dual Bloom filter is a variant of the traditional Bloom filter, that performs role based access checks in O(1) time. It is shown this structure, which …

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Tobacco Dependence Treatment Education For Dental Students Using Standardized Patients., Jacqueline A. Singleton 1955- Dec 2012

Tobacco Dependence Treatment Education For Dental Students Using Standardized Patients., Jacqueline A. Singleton 1955-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dentists can play a key role in helping patients quit tobacco use by providing tobacco cessation treatment (TCT) in their practice. Although the majority of dentists receive training in TCT, most do not provide adequate intervention. Many feel they are not adequately trained. Using standardized patients (SPs) shows promise in TCT training by providing a simulated clinical environment for students to practice counseling skills with individuals trained to portray patients. Standardized patients evaluate students' skills and provide immediate feedback. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference in dental students' attitudes, perceived barriers, subjective norms, …

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Zooplankton In Freshwaters : Potential Responses To Global Warming, Nutrient Enrichment, And Exotic Jellyfish., Allison S. Smith Dec 2012

Zooplankton In Freshwaters : Potential Responses To Global Warming, Nutrient Enrichment, And Exotic Jellyfish., Allison S. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aquatic ecosystems face major transformations as humans increasingly alter their environment by introducing exotic species and changing the temperature regime and nutrient availability of freshwater systems. The impacts of such alterations of conditions, resources and species composition on zooplankton are important to consider because zooplankton link primary producers to higher trophic levels. Among recent exotic invaders of freshwater systems in Europe and the Western Hemisphere is Craspedacusta sowerbii. This freshwater cnidarian can impact zooplankton abundance and community composition, thus altering ecosystem energy transfer to higher trophic levels. In experiments described in chapters 2 and 3 of this dissertation, C. sowerbii …

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Hyperhomocysteinemia Alters Sinoatrial And Atrioventricular Nodal Function : Role Of The Cardiac Nmda Receptor., Chirag V. Soni Dec 2012

Hyperhomocysteinemia Alters Sinoatrial And Atrioventricular Nodal Function : Role Of The Cardiac Nmda Receptor., Chirag V. Soni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a pathological condition characterized by excessive levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy). Patients with HHcy are reported to be at risk for arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death (SCD); however, the causative mechanisms remain unknown. The effects of HHcy on sinus node function, atrioventricular conduction and ventricular vulnerability were investigated by in vivo electrophysiological (EP) analysis, and the role of the cardiac N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) in promoting Hcy-induced conduction abnormalities was explored. Materials and Methods: Anesthetized wild-type control mice (WT), mice receiving Hcy in the drinking water for 12 weeks (DW), and heterozygous cystathionine-ß-synthase knockout …

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Conservation Genetics Of A Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma Maculatum (Shaw 1802)) Local Population In Southeast Tennessee, Daniel Scott Armstrong Dec 2012

Conservation Genetics Of A Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma Maculatum (Shaw 1802)) Local Population In Southeast Tennessee, Daniel Scott Armstrong

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Currently there is a worldwide amphibian decline with numerous causes. Because of this, it is important to understand how genetic variation in local amphibian populations is affected by disturbance. The goal of this study was to assess the genetic impacts of past chemical and ammunition storage and present industrialization on a local population of Ambystoma maculatum (Shaw 1802) using thirteen microsatellite markers. Most loci exhibited no loss of heterozygosity but the low effective population size may indicate vulnerability to future declines. No population substructure or sex-biased dispersal was detected. Possible explanations for the reduction in genetic diversity at four loci …

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Synthesis And Co2/Ch4 Separation Performance Of Bio-Mof-1 Membranes., Joseph Allen Bohrman 1988- Dec 2012

Synthesis And Co2/Ch4 Separation Performance Of Bio-Mof-1 Membranes., Joseph Allen Bohrman 1988-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The separation of carbon dioxide from natural gas is of great interest from the environmental and energy perspective, respectively. From the environmental point of view, capturing CO2 effectively from power plants can have a positive impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. From the energy point of view, CO2 is an undesirable impurity in natural gas wells, with concentrations as high as 70%. Membrane technology can play a major role in making natural gas purification processes economically feasible. A novel membrane composed of Metal-organic-framework material Zn8(Ad)4(BPDC)6O 2Me2NH2 (Bio-MOF-1) was designed and created to effectively separate CO2/CH4 gas mixtures. The crystalline structure, …

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Gain And Loss Of Functional Locomotor Recovery Following Contusive Spinal Cord Injury In The Adult Rat., Krista Layne Caudle Dec 2012

Gain And Loss Of Functional Locomotor Recovery Following Contusive Spinal Cord Injury In The Adult Rat., Krista Layne Caudle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Activity-based rehabilitation in the form of overground or body weight-supported treadmill (BWST) locomotor step training has become the most widely accepted therapy translated from preclinical animal research to spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. However, locomotor training does not provide the level of functional locomotor recovery that animal models are interpreted to promise because preclinical studies have used complete spinal cord transections that do not sufficiently mimic the clinical presentation. Furthermore, animal models do not include the same standard of care, immobilization with stretch/range-ofmotion manual therapies, SCI patients receive. Therefore, we have developed an experimental animal model that includes aspects of …

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A Submodular Optimization Framework For Never-Ending Learning : Semi-Supervised, Online, And Active Learning., Wael Emara Dec 2012

A Submodular Optimization Framework For Never-Ending Learning : Semi-Supervised, Online, And Active Learning., Wael Emara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The revolution in information technology and the explosion in the use of computing devices in people's everyday activities has forever changed the perspective of the data mining and machine learning fields. The enormous amounts of easily accessible, information rich data is pushing the data analysis community in general towards a shift of paradigm. In the new paradigm, data comes in the form a stream of billions of records received everyday. The dynamic nature of the data and its sheer size makes it impossible to use the traditional notion of offline learning where the whole data is accessible at any time …

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Combating The Sophomore Slump Through Peer-Mentoring Among African American Students At Predominantly White Institutions., Tiffany Christina Evans Dec 2012

Combating The Sophomore Slump Through Peer-Mentoring Among African American Students At Predominantly White Institutions., Tiffany Christina Evans

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is a plethora of research regarding the first year undergraduate student experience; however, 2nd year students are facing adversity and consequently high rates of attrition. This phenomenon is known as the sophomore slump. There is limited research of how the sophomore slump impacts African Americans and research supports involvement, particularly as a peer mentor, increases student persistence beyond the 2nd year. This study uses Tinto's theory of student departure and Collin's theory of other-mothering to explore how the academic and social skills of CONECT peer mentors contribute to their experiences as peer mentors and their overall persistence.

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The Role Of Endogenous Bcl-Xl In Regulation Of Apoptotic Signaling Pathways., Colins Ogwandi Eno 1982- Dec 2012

The Role Of Endogenous Bcl-Xl In Regulation Of Apoptotic Signaling Pathways., Colins Ogwandi Eno 1982-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bcl-2 proteins are major regulators of cellular responses to various apoptotic stimuli. Among them, overexpression of the anti-apoptotic BcI-2 protein BcI-xL modulates organelle-specific apoptotic pathways. To understand the mechanisms by which endogenous BcI-xL regulates apoptosis, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient in BcI-xL expression (Bcl-x-KO) was generated. Studies of BcI-xL exclusively targeted to an organelle in Bcl-x-KO MEFs indicate that the mitochondria- and ER-Iocalized BcI-xL play distinct roles in apoptosis resistance and Ca2+ homeostasis. Specifically, mitochondrial BcI-xL can regulate apoptosis independently of ER BcI-xL, and when localized exclusively at the ER, BcI-xL impinges on Ca2+ homeostasis but does not affect apoptosis …

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The Art Of Natality : Virginia Woolf's And Kathe Kollwitz's Aesthetics Of Becoming., Jennifer Brooke Goldberg 1973- Dec 2012

The Art Of Natality : Virginia Woolf's And Kathe Kollwitz's Aesthetics Of Becoming., Jennifer Brooke Goldberg 1973-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Though Virginia Woolf’s and Kathe Kollwitz's personal histories and specific cultural circumstances were quite different, their aesthetics share fundamental qualities. This dissertation demonstrates that both artists affirm memory, the maternal, and creativity as coalescent, and through doing so assert a principle of connectivity that counters the turmoil of their times. Through this constellation, Woolf’s and Kollwitz's aesthetics exude faith in the continued viability of beauty and of possibility, faith that a commitment to becoming will undermine the sources of hopelessness that enshroud the modem world. Channeling their losses into their creative endeavors, Woolf and Kollwitz appropriated crises from their pasts …

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Anxiety In Older Adults With Dementia Residing In Long-Term Care Facilities., Lauren Summer Hess Dec 2012

Anxiety In Older Adults With Dementia Residing In Long-Term Care Facilities., Lauren Summer Hess

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dementia, depression, and anxiety are the most common psychiatric disorders among long-term care residents and, because dementia is associated with behavioral problems that can be difficult to manage, the growing number of long-term care residents with dementia and mental health disorders presents a challenge for providing quality care. Research has established the co-occurrence of depression and anxiety and anxiety and agitation in this population. However, a consensus on the conceptualization of the co-occurrence of these constructs has not been reached. It has also been postulated that older adults with dementia may not be able to experience anxiety as conceptualized due …

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Effect Of Viewing Conditions On The Detection Of Proximal Dental Caries In Intraoral Digital Images With And Without Computer-Assisted Diagnosis., Lauren Christine Szechy 1989- Dec 2012

Effect Of Viewing Conditions On The Detection Of Proximal Dental Caries In Intraoral Digital Images With And Without Computer-Assisted Diagnosis., Lauren Christine Szechy 1989-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Dental caries is the most common childhood ailment and one of the most prevalent chronic diseases of people worldwide. Approximately 91% of dentate adults 20 years or older have experienced dental caries. Carious lesions on proximal surfaces are particularly difficult to detect clinically, which is why intraoral radiography has become a supplemental method used to aid diagnosis. It was hypothesized that the accuracy of detection of proximal caries with the unaided eye would be reduced in sub-optimal viewing conditions; furthermore, the use of computer-assisted diagnostic software (Logicon Caries Detector) would improve the overall accuracy of observers. Methods: Eighteen radiographs …

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Semi-Supervised Heterogeneous Evolutionary Co-Clustering, Pankaj Andhale Dec 2012

Semi-Supervised Heterogeneous Evolutionary Co-Clustering, Pankaj Andhale

Theses

One of the challenges of the machine learning problem is the absence of sufficient number of labeled instances or training instances. At the same time generating labeled data is expensive and time consuming. The semi-supervised approach has shown promising results to solve the problem of insufficient or fewer labeled instance datasets. The key challenge is incorporating the semi-supervised knowledge into the heterogeneous data which is evolving in nature. Most of the prior work that uses semi-supervised knowledge has been performed on heterogeneous static data. The semi-supervised knowledge is incorporated into data which aid the clustering algorithm to obtain better clusters. …

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On Linear Precoding Of Non-Regenerative Mimo Relays For Qam Inputs, Xiao Liang, Zhi Ding, Chengshan Xiao Dec 2012

On Linear Precoding Of Non-Regenerative Mimo Relays For Qam Inputs, Xiao Liang, Zhi Ding, Chengshan Xiao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recent works have established that MIMO systems optimized for Gaussian source signals may suffer unexpected performance loss when practical inputs are in fact discrete QAM sources. There is a practical need in the optimization of MIMO related systems of various networking scenarios to specifically target source signals of finite QAM alphabet. in this work, we investigate the precoding optimization of wireless two-hop non-regenerative three-node MIMO relay networks driven by finite-alphabet inputs. Exploiting a known optimal structure for the precoder at relay and a special convexity property, we propose an iterative two-step numerical optimization algorithm. This algorithm is a general solution, …

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Single-Carrier Frequency-Domain Turbo Equalization Without Cyclic Prefix Or Zero Padding For Underwater Acoustic Communications, Longbao Wang, Jun Tao, Yahong Rosa Zheng Dec 2012

Single-Carrier Frequency-Domain Turbo Equalization Without Cyclic Prefix Or Zero Padding For Underwater Acoustic Communications, Longbao Wang, Jun Tao, Yahong Rosa Zheng

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A frequency-domain turbo equalization (FDTE) scheme without cyclic prefix (CP) or zero padding is proposed for single-carrier, multiple-input-multiple- output underwater acoustic communication. in the first iteration of the FDTE, the received continuous data stream is divided into consecutive blocks and a combined inter-block-interference (IBI) cancellation and overlapped windowing scheme is used to diagonalize each data block for low-complexity detection in the frequency domain. Since the second iteration, IBI cancellation and CP reconstruction are applied on each block to enable effective symbol detection. This work extends the authors previous work on frequency-domain hard-decision equalization to soft-decision turbo equalization so that it …

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Tdma For Wireless Passive Backscatter Networks: An Information Theoretic Approach, Aditya V. Padaki, Maciej Zawodniok Dec 2012

Tdma For Wireless Passive Backscatter Networks: An Information Theoretic Approach, Aditya V. Padaki, Maciej Zawodniok

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The passive backscatter technology is increasingly employed in wireless sensor network (WSN) applications. in contrast to existing technologies, it offers several advantages including a battery-less operation, extremely small-form factor, and low costs. Our previous works demonstrated that theoretically such backscatter-Based network outperforms existing solutions. in contrast, this paper presents a new time division multiple access (TDMA) based approach that considers a practical realization of the multi-hop framework. the capacity limits for the proposed scheme are evaluated for two frameworks - (a) single hop with direct backscatter signal and (b) a multi-hop transmission. an analytical comparison shows that the multi-hop transmission …

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E-Learning In Multi-Cultural Environments: An Analysis Of Online Cabin Crew Training, Jose Felix De Brito Neto Dec 2012

E-Learning In Multi-Cultural Environments: An Analysis Of Online Cabin Crew Training, Jose Felix De Brito Neto

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Throughout the first decade of this century, the airline industry struggled with many challenges stemming from unstable oil prices and natural disasters. Attention was given to people as tools for competitive advantage. The airline industry focused on Human Resource Management and, as a result, e-learning gained increasing attention as it imparted knowledge on an asynchronous and global basis with substantially reduced costs. However, while focusing on learning technologies, organizations failed to acknowledge learners needs and cultural backgrounds by creating neutral e-learning environments, which resulted in ineffective training and reduced performance improvement. This thesis aimed to study the perceptions of a …

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Implementation Of Microwave Transmissions For Rocket Exhaust Plume Diagnostics, Nicholas George Coutu Dec 2012

Implementation Of Microwave Transmissions For Rocket Exhaust Plume Diagnostics, Nicholas George Coutu

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Rocket-launched vehicles produce a trail of exhaust that contains ions, free electrons, and soot. The exhaust plume increases the effective conductor length of the rocket. A conductor in the presence of an electric field (e.g. near the electric charge stored within a cloud) can channel an electric discharge. The electrical conductivity of the exhaust plume is related to its concentration of free electrons. The risk of a lightning strike in-flight is a function of both the conductivity of the body and its effective length. This paper presents an approach that relates the electron number density of the exhaust plume to …

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Self-Efficacy In The Context Of Psychological Abuse: A Model Of Efficacy Erosion., Kristen E. Hosey Dec 2012

Self-Efficacy In The Context Of Psychological Abuse: A Model Of Efficacy Erosion., Kristen E. Hosey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current research proposed that psychological abuse within an intimate relationship erodes one's self-efficacy and aimed to demonstrate a negative relationship between past psychological abuse and how one reacts to a challenge. It was hypothesized that when faced with a challenging task past psychological abuse would be related to decreased task persistence, increased negative affect, and choosing low-difficulty future tasks. Each of these relationships would then be simultaneously mediated by general and specific self-efficacy. The study was conducted in two phases with undergraduate women. During the first phase participants self-reported demographic and relationship history information, level of general self-efficacy, and …

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Effects Of Social And Non-Social Interpretations Of Complex Images On Human Eye Movement And Brain Activation, Amy L. Prostko Dec 2012

Effects Of Social And Non-Social Interpretations Of Complex Images On Human Eye Movement And Brain Activation, Amy L. Prostko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Communicating and interacting with others is an essential part of our daily routines as humans. Performing these actions appropriately requires the ability to identify, extract, and process salient social cues from the environment. The subsequent application of such knowledge is important for inferring and predicting the behavior of other people. The eyes and brain must work together to fixate and process only the most critical social signals within a scene while passing over and / or completely ignoring other aspects of the scene. While brain activation to isolated presentations of objects and people presentations have been characterized, information about the …

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Improvisation And Visual Thinking Strategies In Art Education, Jason Jaros Dec 2012

Improvisation And Visual Thinking Strategies In Art Education, Jason Jaros

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the characteristic elements and possible educational benefits of spontaneity and improvisation in visual art education. The research draws from current practices and philosophies in music and drama education with the aim of developing collaboration, communication, problem solving, and creative and innovative thinking skills in students through the experience of making and appreciating art involving activities that encourage spontaneous decision making. Visual Thinking Strategies and the six continua for assessing thinking serve as the tools with which to investigate the effect of these activities on interpretive narratives of 40 fourth grade students in a public school setting.

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Effectiveness Of Biofeedback In Improving Heart Rate Variability Recovery Following Stress, Amanda L. Wheat Dec 2012

Effectiveness Of Biofeedback In Improving Heart Rate Variability Recovery Following Stress, Amanda L. Wheat

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The current study was designed to examine the efficacy of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback using emWave, a specific biofeedback device available to the public, and to determine whether such treatment affects phasic physiological responses to stress. Twenty-seven individuals (4 males, 23 females), aged 18-30 years (M = 22.54 years, SD = 3.82) participated in the current study. Thirteen individuals were randomly assigned to a control group and received no intervention, whereas the remaining 14 participants underwent 4-8 sessions of emWave intervention. All participants attended pre-treatment and post-treatment assessment sessions during which a stressor protocol was administered; physiological data were …

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Onboard Parameter Identification For A Small Uav, Amanda K. Mcgrail Dec 2012

Onboard Parameter Identification For A Small Uav, Amanda K. Mcgrail

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

One of the main research focus areas of the WVU Flight Control Systems Laboratory (FCSL) is the increase of flight safety through the implementation of fault tolerant control laws. For some fault tolerant flight control approaches with adaptive control laws, the availability of accurate post failure aircraft models improves performance. While look-up tables of aircraft models can be created for failure conditions, they may fail to account for all possible failure scenarios. Thus, a real-time parameter identification program eliminates the need to have predefined models for all potential failure scenarios. The goal of this research was to identify the dimensional …

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Civic Education In West Virginia: Guidelines And State Standards In A Case Study, Carolyn Jackson Brejwo Dec 2012

Civic Education In West Virginia: Guidelines And State Standards In A Case Study, Carolyn Jackson Brejwo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Civic teachers are members of their community and are responsible for preparing their students to be future citizens. West Virginia is one of nine states that requires students to pass a class whose title includes the word "civic." All 12th grade students in the state must take a year long civic education course. The goal for the course is offered by the state in published documents. The documents lay out a course that is guided in part by the definition of civic education offered by the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS). West Virginia offers a much broader and deeper …

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An In Vitro Microenvironment For Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration, Mark S. Shoukry Dec 2012

An In Vitro Microenvironment For Nucleus Pulposus Regeneration, Mark S. Shoukry

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Intervertebral disc degeneration begins early in life, increases with age, and can ultimately result in disc failure. At the center of the disc, the nucleus pulposus (NP) resides in a hypoxic environment where degeneration is thought to begin. Initially, nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) display altered morphology and function, along with increased rates of cellular senescence and apoptosis. Though no widely accepted treatment exists, autologous NP implantation techniques have shown promise. However, the process is flawed as a result of the long in vitro expansion required to obtain sufficient numbers of cells. Prolonged expansion on plastic produces negative changes such as …

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