Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of A Practice Change To Improve Screening, Identification, And Management Of Patients With Prediabetes, Murrita C. Bolinger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: The prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes among adults in West Virginia (WV) is 10.85, which ranks fourth in the United States in 2007. Furthermore, WV ranks as second highest state for diabetes related deaths in the nation. Prediabetes increases the risks for development of type 2 diabetes. Studies have supported lifestyle modification education for prediabetic adults in an effort to reduce progression to type 2 diabetes.;Objective: To evaluate the use of an EMR reminder to improve the screening, identifying, and documentation of treatment plans for patient at risk for prediabetes.;Methods: A provider focused education session was offered to …

Nnll Resummation For W-Boson Production At Large Pt, Nikolaos Kidonakis, Richard J. Gonsalves

Faculty Articles

We present new results for W-boson production at large transverse momentum at the LHC and the Tevatron. The contribution of soft-gluon corrections is derived from NNLL resummation and added to the exact NLO result. Numerical results and their uncertainties for the approximate NNLO W-boson transverse momentum distributions are derived and compared to recent data from the LHC.

Comparison Of Groundwater Seepage Modeling In Approximate Original Contour And Geomorphic Valley Fill Design, Nathan C. Depriest

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Excess spoil generated during surface mining in southern West Virginia is generally placed in headwater valleys. Known as valley fills, these structures are designed to move water rapidly through constructed drains to maximize geotechnical stability using the conventional design method termed Approximate Original Contour (AOC). Seepage from valley fills tends to be elevated with respect to calcium, magnesium, alkalinity and sulfates and there is evidence that, in high concentrations, these ions can contribute to stream degradation. New fluvial geomorphic principals are being researched to aid in reclamation alternatives to AOC designs. Geomorphic designs have proven successful in semi-arid regions; however, …

A Novel Approach To Residence Time Distribution, Jackson W. Wolfe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An increased knowledge in the solids flow in multiphase flow systems can be applied in the design of industrial systems used for power generation, gasification, pneumatic transport of material, drying, and various other tasks. An instrument was constructed for the activation, injection, and measurement of phosphorescent tracer particles in a fluidized bed riser to determine the Residence Time Distribution (RTD) of solids flow within a fluidized bed riser. The instrument was implemented in a dual-stage transparent scale model fluidized bed riser. Testing of the instrument system validated the functionality of the instrument. It was proven to be capable of determining …

Study Of Chemical States, Composition And Adsorption Behavior Of Iron Coated Granular Activated Carbon (Fe-Gac) For Selenate Removal And Feasible Adsorbent Modifications, Ning Zhang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the adsorptive removal of selenate using iron coated granular activated carbon (Fe-GAC) and further investigated its complexation mechanisms and coordination structures using spectroscopic techniques. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium experiments with initial selenium concentration of 1 mg/L were conducted under three different ionic strengths to study selenate adsorption behavior. Selenate adsorption reached equilibrium within 48 hours with more than 85% of the equilibrium capacities being obtained within the first 6 hours. High removal efficiency (i.e., > 75%) was achieved for pH range 2 - 5. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model characterized selenate adsorption kinetics well (R2 = 0.999) and the rate …

Quantifying Near-Bank Turbulence Through A Storm Event, Charles Z. Walburn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sediment is a leading cause of water quality impairment for streams and rivers. Streambank erosion is a dominant source contributing to sediment pollution and there is a growing need for adopting management practices to reduce it. Bank retreat occurs from a combination of fluvial erosion, subaerial processes, and mass failure. Fluvial entrainment, initiated by near-boundary turbulence, is one of the main drivers of streambank retreat as it leads to unstable streambank geometries. This research characterized the turbulent structure of flow near the toe of a streambank throughout a storm event, at times of high shear stress. The specific objectives included …

Effects Of Video Feedback On Students' Performance Of A Back Handspring, Kristi A. Kiefer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Purpose: Video technology has become a viable resource for teachers and coaches as a method of providing feedback to students and athletes. Studies support the use of this strategy when applied to teaching adolescents and adults with a proficient skill base. To date little research has identified the use of video technology as a method of feedback in the skill acquisition of children at a novice level. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of video feedback on the performance of a back handspring. Methods: A multiple-treatment reversal design within each participant with a counter balance was …

Optimization Models For Locating Cross-Docks Under Capacity Uncertainty, Anshul Soanpet

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this thesis is to develop mathematical models for locating cross-docks in a supply chain. Cross-docking is a strategy which can help consolidate the goods in the supply chain and save costs by reducing the number of truck trips. In this thesis four optimization models were developed. First two optimization models termed Model A and Model B were deterministic models. The goal of model A was to choose exactly P locations to locate cross-docks so that the transportation and handling costs are minimized. The goal of model B is to locate as many cross-docks as needed so that …

The Effects Of Index Storage On Ranked Information Retrieval, James E. Mantheiy Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Information retrieval is the process of recalling and ordering all relevant documents based on a user's search query. Examples of information retrieval systems are Google, Bing, and Yahoo search. In order to perform an effective search, these systems utilize an inverted index for mapping content, such as words, to the original document. It is widely believed there are two options for implementing an inverted index and these options are in memory or as a file. This investigation looks at implementing an inverted index as a table in a database as compared to the other two options. In addition, this investigation …

Mindfully Teaching In The Classroom: A Literature Review, Nicole J. Albrecht, Patricia M. Albrecht, Marc Cohen

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The practice of mindfulness is being used with increased frequency in schools around the world. In the current literature review we outline some of the core concepts and practices associated with mindfulness and discuss studies analysing the process of mindfulness teacher training. Preliminary research in this emerging field suggests that mindfulness has the potential to improve classroom management, teacher-student relationships and instructional strategies. Mindfulness instructors recommend that before teachers can feel comfortable and effectively teach mindfulness in the classroom they need to embody and practice mindfulness in their own lives. It is proposed that in order to improve our knowledge …

Prospective Teachers' Comprehension Levels Of Special Relativity Theory And The Effect Of Writing For Learning On Achievement, Ali Yildiz

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

In the present study, the comprehension levels of special relativity theory in prospective teachers who take the Introduction to Modern Physics lesson in the faculty of education science teaching department and the effect of writing for learning on their achievement is researched. In the research, a control group pre-test post-test quasi-experimental research model was used. Research data were obtained by using open-ended questions prepared by the researcher. The lesson was conducted in the beginning by using the verbal-written explanation method. Then each student in the experimental group wrote a summary which clearly explains the special relativity theory for a high …

How Do Early Childhood Students Conceptualize Play-Based Curriculum?, Avis Ridgway, Gloria Quinones

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

The study’s purpose was to discover student understanding of play-based curriculum. Traditionally, play has been misunderstood in pedagogical terms, and was widely interpreted in our study. The Early Years Learning Framework suggests educator guidance in sustaining play is essential for learning and development. As teacher educators, we wanted to reflect on Play and Pedagogy (A new fourth year unit) that expected students to create a conceptual play model for use in practice. Twenty-six students volunteered de-identified assignments. From these, common conceptual elements were identified. We selected quotes from student’s work to support identified concepts and entered a methodology of dialogue …

A Professional Experience Learning Community For Pre-Service Secondary Mathematics Teachers, Michael S. Cavanagh, Thomas Garvey

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This paper reports the development and implementation of a collaborative professional experience learning community for a group of nine pre-service secondary mathematics teachers. The pre-service teachers and their methods lecturer made 12 school visits over one academic year to a local secondary school. The pre-service teachers observed and co-taught problem-solving lessons in two Year 8 classes. They discussed the lessons with the teacher and the university lecturer, and later posted reflective comments to an online forum. Data from questionnaires, interviews, and reflections indicate that participation in the learning community helped pre-service teachers make stronger links between theory and practice, learn …

Development And Validation Of Sunlight Exposure Measurement Questionnaire (Sem-Q) For Use In Adult Population Residing In Pakistan, Quratulain Humayun, Romaina Iqbal, Iqbal Azam, Aysha Habib Khan, Amna Rehana Siddiqui, Naila Baig Ansari

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has been identified as a major public health problem worldwide. Sunlight is the main source of vitamin D and its measurement using dosimeters is expensive and difficult for use in population-based studies. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop and validate questionnaires to assess sunlight exposure in healthy individuals residing in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: Two questionnaires with seven important items for sunlight exposure assessment were developed. Fifty four healthy adults were enrolled based on their reported sunlight exposure (high = 17, moderate = 18, low = 19) from Aga Khan University, Karachi. Over four …

Histologic Findings In Biopsies/Resection Specimens From The Small Intestine With Special Emphasis On Celiac Disease: Experience From A Developing Country In South Asia, Huma Arshad, Zubair Ahmad

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Biopsies from the small intestine especially the duodenum are now being performed much more frequently than in the past. The most frequent reason for performing duodenal biopsies is to evaluate for malabsorption. In the last few years, increased awareness has resulted in more biopsies sent for evaluation of malabsorption, especially celiac disease (CD). In the duodenum, features of malabsorption (increased intraepithelial lymphocytes, villous shortening, and atrophy) were the most common histologic finding seen in 63.4% of cases. Serum tTG levels were available for correlation in 52.8% of cases. In patients with confirmed CD, 53.4% were MARSH IIIb, and 29.5% were …

Computing Nodes And Links Appearances On Geodesics In Networks Topologies Using Graph Theory, Siddeeq Ameen, Laith Jasim Saud

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

This paper proposes two important mathematical models related to network topology which helps in computing some of the efficiency or reliability factors of communication network as well as design purposes. Each of these models represents a topology property. The first (second) of these models is used to compute the number of appearances of any link (node) in the geodesics between nodes in a given network topology, and so can be used to help in uniformly distributing the data flow through links (nodes), as well as helping in measuring the degree of survivability of the network in case of failure of …

Reward Effect In Reinforcement Learning Systems, Lubna Zaghlul, Zina Waleed

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

Learning Classifier Systems (LCS), are a machine learning technique which combines reinforcement learning, eVolutionary computing and other heuristics to produce adaptive systems. The system HRC (Human – Rat - Cheese) focuses in creating artificial creature (Rat) using computer simulation, and learning it how to choose between two different basic behaviors, (approach / escape) combining them to perform complex behavior, which represents the final response in changing environment. The HRC is built of two-classifier subsystems working together, each classifier system learns a simple behavior, and the system as a whole has as its learning goal the control of activities. Flat architecture …

Human Authentication With Earprint For Secure Telephone System, Raid R.

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

This paper describes the design and development of a prototype system for the automatic authentication of an individual based on the human ear patterns. Information at the feature extraction and at the confidence level, where the matching scores are reported by Probabilistic neural network, is discussed. The system was tested with the template files. The test performance reaching False Rejection Rate (FRR) = 9% and False Acceptance Rate (FAR) = 9%, suggests that the system can be used in telephone security environments.

Study Of The Influence Of Mechanical Parameters On The Behavior And Response Of Electromagnetic Servo Relay (Esr), Saad A-R., Ayad Ghazi Nasir Al-Shamary, Yaakob Karomy Hanna

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

The Relay is widely used in civil, industrial and military equipment. The Relay is considered to be one of the indispensable actuators for electric power and control flying objects and systems. Relays reliability strongly influences the system reliability. The mathematical model of the servo is introduced including the electrical, magnetic and dynamic parts. Simulations, using Matlab and Simulink, were performed. An improvement to the mathematical model has been carried through simulation which reflected on the results gained. Results of the effect and influence of magnetic materials and some important mechanical parameters like stiffness, viscosity, and copper insulator thickness, on the …

Pid Controller Configuration And Tuning Based On Genetic Algorithms, Mazin Z., Mohammed H. Al-Jammas, Salih M. Attya

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

In this work, the power of the Genetic Algorithms (GA) in searching for an optimal solution (in a pre-determined hyper space) is used to design the suitable configuration and parameters of the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller. In most industrial plants, the PID controllers are configured either in cascade, feedback or in feed forward topologies. Besides, for each of these configurations the tuning gains have to be fixed in order to meet the required specifications. Therefore, GA is utilized efficiently to select the proper PID configuration in the context of signal following approach as well as the best tuning gains for the …

Text-Dependent Audio Biometric Person Authentication, Ekhlas Falih

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

Audio biometric person authentication is the task of verifying the identity of a person based on the information in the speech signal that occurs during the production of speech. In this research, audio person authentication is focus on acoustic text-dependent speaker verification system. The proposed recognition process begins by converting that audio into frequency domain by applying discrete cosine transform (DCT), then compute the seven moments as a features for that audio and build a database depends on these features, then compute the Kohonen neural network for person identification, and then compute the dynamic time wrapping (DTW) for verification and …

Enhanced Genetic Algorithm Based On Node Codes For Mobile Robot Path Planning, Mohamed Jasim, Farah S. Khoshaba

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

In this paper, a new Enhanced Genetic Algorithm (EGA) is used to find the best global path planning for a mobile robot according to a specific criterion. The EGA is enhanced by a new encoding method, new initial population creation method, new crossover and mutation operations as well as new additional operations correction operation and classification operation. The study considers the case when the mobile robot works in a known static environment. The new proposed algorithm is built to help the mobile robot to choose the shortest path without it colliding with the obstacles allocated in a working known environment. …

Design Of A Nonlinear Speed Controller For A Dc Motor System With Unknown External Torque Based On Backstepping Approach, Shibly Ahmed, Yasir Khudhair Abbas

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

A nonlinear PI controller for a system with a mismatched and unknown external disturbance is proposed in the present paper. A Sigmoidal function is proposed to be used in the nonlinear integral element to attenuate the disturbance effect. Formally the controller forces the state to a positively invariant set around the origin. As an application, the nonlinear PI controller is used as a virtual controller for the upper subsystem in the frame of Backstepping control approach for the DC motor system. In this Backstepping controller design the restriction about the disturbance form in the upper system is relaxed. The results …

Controlling A Nonlinear Servo Hydraulic System Using Pid Controller With A Genetic Algorithm Tool, Shaymaa Mahmood

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

The purpose of this paper is to present the modeling and simulation of a servo hydraulic system. Hydraulic systems are broadly used in the industry due to their ability to adapt to a wide range of purposes and their proven robustness. First we develop a mathematical model to obtain the system responses. These responses represent the response of the servo hydraulic system with a sinusoidal input. Secondly, we design a PID controller in order to improve the position transient response and reach minimum steady state error in the output displacement. Then, we use Genetic Algorithm technique to find the best …

Design Of On-Line Tuned Idle Speed Controller For An Automotive Engine By Using Ncd, Ali Majeed

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

This paper attempts to tune any controller without the knowledge of mathematical model for the system to be controlled. For that purpose, the optimization algorithm of MATLAB / Nonlinear Control Design Blockset (NCD) is adapted for On-line tuning for controller parameters. To present the methodology, a PID controller is verified with the physical plant using the engine speed control System where the problem of maintaining the engine idle speed at a reference value with the applied load is studied. A Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) Controller is used to solve this problem, but to get the best controller parameters the (NCD) …

Genetic Algorithm Using Sub-Path Codes For Mobile Robot Path Planning, Mohamed Jasim

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

In this paper, a new method for finding global optimal path planning is proposed using a Genetic Algorithm (GA). A map of known static environment as well as a start node and a target node connecting an optimal path which is required to be found are given beforehand. The chosen nodes in a known static environment are connected by sub-paths among each other. Each path is represented by a series of sub-paths which connect the sequential nodes to form this path. Each sub-path radiating from each node is labeled by an integer. The chromosome code of a path is a …

Application Of Kalman Estimation Techniques With Fuzzy Logic To A Synchro Digitizer, Waladin K., Firas A. Raheem, Lina S. Jajo

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

In the quest for digitizing the synchro, this paper proposes a method for processing the synchro format Voltages to extract a single reliable shaft angle reading. This eliminates sophisticated and expensive electronic parts and replaces them by software algorithms. Kalman estimation techniques are applied to improve sensor dynamic response, precision and efficiency. Fuzzy logic techniques are used to speed up the estimation process so that the time taken to produce a result is within the time of half a cycle of the excitation frequency (less than 1.25 ms). Wavelet techniques are also used to improve the accuracy much further. The …

Leadership Training Program For Shared Leadership Based On Super Leadership At Cheo-Eum Korean Presbyterian Church : A Study Of Christian Leadership, Houng Jin Youn

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Farmers' Perceptions Of Cotton Pests And Their Management In Western Kenya, Charles A.O. Midega, Isaac M. Nyang'au, Jimmy Pittchar, Michael A. Birkett, John A. Pickett, Miguel Borges, Zeyaur R. Khan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in western Kenya is severely affected by insect pests, resulting in poor yields in spite of the growing demand for the commodity. One of the key constraints to establishing effective pest management approaches for smallholder farmers is the lack of adequate information about farmers' knowledge, perceptions and practices in pest management. This study was therefore conducted to (1) evaluate farmers' knowledge and perceptions of cotton pests; (2) examine farmers' current practices in managing cotton pests; (3) identify pest management challenges and intervention opportunities in order to develop efficient integrated pest management (IPM) approaches. A total …

Becoming Artifacts: Medieval Seals, Passports And The Future Of Digital Identity, Mawaki Chango

School of Information Studies - Dissertations

What does a digital identity token have to do with medieval seals? Is the history of passports of any use for enabling the discovery of Internet users' identity when crossing virtual domain boundaries during their digital browsing and transactions? The agility of the Internet architecture and its simplicity of use have been the engines of its growth and success with the users worldwide. As it turns out, there lies also its crux. In effect, Internet industry participants have argued that the critical problem business is faced with on the Internet is the absence of an identity layer from the core …